New medical research body provides boost of 250 jobs

Published on Wednesday 17 June 2009 22:07

A NEW research body aiming to support life sciences in Scotland is to create around 250 jobs, it was announced yesterday.

The group, backed by 15 million from the Scottish Government, hopes to turn the latest scientific research into "real benefits" for patients.

The Scottish Academic Health Sciences Collaboration will bring together NHS boards and university medical schools in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "This new initiative opens up further opportunities for our researchers to work together and in partnership with industry to turn cutting-edge research into real health benefits. By speeding up the process of putting industry in contact with the best researchers, it will give Scotland a competitive advantage in the global marketplace."

The government said the move will put the country in a strong position to win multi-million-pound UK and international health research funding.

Jack Perry, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said universities already carried out "outstanding" medical research.

"There is, however, potential to do more and this collaboration will help to make Scotland even more attractive for those global pharmaceutical and biotech companies looking to take advantage of our world-class science base and expert clinical practice," he added.