Jobs boost as diabetes firm opens Edinburgh operation

A company that specialises in glucose monitoring for people with diabetes has opened a base in Edinburgh with the aim of creating more than 60 jobs over the next three years.

Dexcom is a leader in continuous glucose monitoring for patients with diabetes. Picture: Contributed

Dexcom, which is listed on New York’s Nasdaq exchange, said the new office would support various business functions covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

It described the move as a “significant milestone”, providing patients across those regions with access to advanced technology, including a sensor that sits just below the skin’s surface and is attached to a transmitter which wirelessly transfers glucose levels every five minutes to mobile applications.

The launch of the new premises, based in the capital’s Tanfield office complex, has received support from Scottish Enterprise.

Today’s announcement was made on World Diabetes Day, with a quarter of a million Scots estimated to be suffering from the condition.

John Lister, Dexcom’s general manager for EMEA, said: “With its strong history of medical innovation, the incredible talent pool in the city and the strategic inward investment through Scottish Enterprise, Edinburgh really stood out to us as a location.

“We are excited to bring the benefits of our state-of-the-art glucose monitoring solutions to diabetes patients across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and build our brand and future commercial business from Scotland.”

Keith Brown, secretary for the economy, jobs and fair work, who officially inaugurated the office, said: “On a day like World Diabetes Day, a day that reminds us of the challenges faced by people living with diabetes, I am particularly pleased that an international company like Dexcom recognises the strength of Scotland’s life science sector and chose Edinburgh as their new European headquarters.”

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