This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Biotechnology Scotland Awards
12/02/2004
Life sciences are one of Scotland's strengths and we need to build on the sector's success, Enterprise Minister Jim Wallace said today.
Mr Wallace announced that a new Government and industry advisory body - linking the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise with senior figures in the life sciences industry - will provide expert advice on the implementation of the next Scottish Enterprise Life Sciences strategy for 2004-2007.
Life sciences is a diverse sector, and includes medical devices, pharmaceuticals, drug delivery, and contract research.
Speaking at the 5th Annual Biotechnology Scotland Awards dinner in Edinburgh, Mr Wallace said:
"The life sciences sector in Scotland is currently one of the most vibrant in Europe.
"The number of companies has doubled in the last four years, as has the number of jobs - to 26,000. I want to see this success continue, and I believe a joint advisory body can help us to deliver.
"We are currently consulting with the BIA (BioIndustry Association) and Scottish Enterprise on the membership and remit and I will be announcing further details soon."
The Minister continued:
"Our innovation grants - SMART and SPUR - are an important part of the support structure for the industry. Over the last year, £3.2 million has been offered to 17 companies. Large scale initiatives such as the Scottish Co-Investment Fund are also benefiting life science businesses - seven companies from the sector have received equity funding so far, including some represented here tonight.
"I want to congratulate the award winners for their outstanding contributions. They can be assured, as can the whole life sciences industry, of our continued support and commitment."
The award winners are being announced separately by Scottish Enterprise.
The new joint advisory group will be chaired by Scottish Enterprise. It will give senior industry figures an opportunity to participate in policy-making, and allow the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise to tap into their expertise. It is expected that the group would meet around 3-4 times a year. Further details will be announced shortly.
Scottish Enterprise's four year strategy for the life sciences sector was launched in 1999. This aimed to develop the cluster through increasing the number of participating organisations, improving the performance of existing companies and increasing the number and nature of linkages within the cluster. The plan aimed to increase employment in the sector from 12,000 to 24,000, to increase the number of biotechnology companies from 50 to 100 and the number of support and supply companies from 180 to 290.