Ivan McKee: life sciences furthering Scotland’s innovation reputation

Our approach to implementing the next phase of the Life Sciences Strategy is crucial to maintaining the momentum that keeps us on the path towards our bold target for life sciences set almost two years ago.

There are global changes taking place in the sector with a greater industrialisation of manufacturing process and changes to R&D investment by global life science companies. I am confident the life sciences sector in Scotland is in a healthy position to respond to this restructuring.

My predecessor, Paul Wheelhouse MSP, supported the priorities set out by industry when the Scottish strategy was refreshed in 2017, ensuring that behind the ambitious target of increasing turnover by the sector to £8 billion by 2025, there was a clear, shared ambition, driven in partnership. No industry can afford to stand still, and none more so than the constantly evolving life sciences sector. Scotland is in the unique position to be able to react to this, bringing industry, government and academia to the table to constantly challenge one another with a common goal.

Scotland is acknowledged globally as a leader in innovation, recognised in so many fields, from those first pathfinding journeys in pioneering drugs and treatment methods that have shaped and changed modern healthcare systems, to the latest advancements in remote monitoring and AI-enabled preventative interventions. Those iconic images of renowned education institutions; Dolly the Sheep, and the Bionic hand, are all synonymous with Scotland’s proud tradition of invention.

Read the full article, here. 

Find out more about how the industry is on its way to reaching the £8bn target by 2025, here.