Scotland’s world-class reputation in life sciences is to be
further enhanced by the development of a global centre of
excellence in West Lothian.
US clinical research company Q2 Solutions has
announced a multi-million pound inward investment at its
Livingston campus, creating 156 skilled jobs over the next
three years.
Supported by a £3.8 million Scottish Enterprise grant,
Q2 Solutions will establish a centre of
excellence in flow cytometry and genomics testing and
analysis, enabling it to offer an increased range of services
to clients including leading pharmaceutical companies.
The multi-million-pound research and development project will
help anchor Q2 Solutions' operations in Scotland
and sits alongside an ongoing £17 million infrastructure
expansion project at the campus, where the company already
employs more than 950 people.
The announcement follows confirmation this week that Scotland
was the most popular UK location outside London for inward
investment in 2020, for the sixth successive year.
Economy Secretary said:
“This is excellent news for a business which has received
Scottish Government support. Q2 Solutions
already has a significant presence in Livingston and this
important project will create more high quality jobs and
further underlines Scotland’s position as a global player in
precision medicine.
“The Scottish Government has worked closely with the company
and continues to support the sector following our significant
investment in major clinical and research assets such as the
Precision Medicines Scotland Innovation Centre.
“Inward investment has a huge role to play in Scotland’s
economic transformation. Our skilled workforce, research
facilities and supportive investment culture are highly
attractive to foreign companies.
“The Scottish Government is building on that success with an
inward investment strategy which focuses on sectors that can
deliver high-quality jobs and future growth, including health
innovation.”
Elaine Lowey, Q2 Solutions' General Manager for
Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said:
“I am delighted to lead such a momentous undertaking.
“Expanding our European operations in key technical areas
supporting the development of new precision medications adds
significant value to our global pharmaceutical and
biotechnology clients. We are delighted to be working with
Scottish Enterprise in this venture and look forward to the
job creation this will bring in our new state-of-the-art
facility.”
Scottish Enterprise Director of Global Investment Mark Hallan
said:
“The company’s proposals for Scotland are incredibly exciting
and exactly the type of project Scottish Enterprise aims to
support as we look towards economic recovery.
“Scotland has one of the largest life sciences clusters in
Europe, with a number of global companies already benefiting
from the quality of our workforce. Q2 Solutions'
decision to locate this global centre of excellence at its
Livingston site will only bolster our international
reputation in this sector.
“Scottish Enterprise is delighted to have secured this
opportunity for Scotland.”
Background
Q2 Solutions was formed in 2015 and is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of human data sciences company IQVIA,
which employs a further 250 people at Livingston. It is the
largest life science employer in Scotland, having grown its
workforce by 28% in the last three years, and processes
nearly 5 million biological samples from clinical trials
across the world each year.
All Q2 Solutions' European laboratory services
are operated from its Livingston campus, which includes its
clinical trials materials and logistics departments, specimen
handlers and quality assurance.
According to the EY Scotland’s
Attractiveness Survey 2021, inward investment projects
into Scotland rose 6% last year compared with 2019. The
number of projects across the UK as whole fell 12%.
Shaping Scotland’s Economy:
Scotland’s Inward Investment Plan is available online.
