Life Sciences Strategy for Scotland

Business Minister Richard Lochhead will today (Thurs 20 Nov) launch the new Life Sciences Strategy for Scotland, with targeted investment and actions to turn the sector into a £25 billion industry by 2035.

As part of a package being rolled out this year to drive the country's high-growth, high-innovation industries, the 10-year refreshed Strategy will outline a framework to bring economic growth, transform health and care and stimulate innovation. 

Life sciences already contributes around £10.5 billion in turnover to Scotland's economy, supporting more than 46,000 jobs. It covers human, animal and plant sciences including pharmaceuticals, health tech, agritech and animal health, aquaculture and industrial biotechnology and bio-based manufacturing.

Mr Lochhead said:

“In the past five years, the life sciences sector has shaped our response to a global pandemic, responded to new opportunities in personalised medicine, health technology and medical devices, and played its part in meeting the Scottish Government's net zero commitments.

“Scotland is rich in talent and already the destination of choice for many global businesses, investors, researchers and innovative health and care professionals.

“Our Strategy will build on these strengths and outline actions to harness the power of the triple helix – industry, academia and the public sector – to collaborate and grow life sciences, using new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.”