Roslin life science firms report £11m turnover

LIFE science companies based at the Roslin BioCentre on the outskirts of Edinburgh turned over £11 million in the past year, a 15 per cent rise on the previous 12 months, according to research published yesterday.

Two-thirds of the 19 firms on the site - which provides support to biotechnology start-ups - expect their sales to grow further in the year ahead.

Companies based at the centre reported a 41 per cent rise in their staff numbers in the past year, taking the total to 152.

Similar surveys by consultancy firm Otocos will now be conducted with firms at the other five science parks that comprise the Edinburgh Science Triangle.

Some 37 per cent of the Roslin businesses' sales were made overseas, with the amount the firms spent on research and development work rising by 47 per cent year-on-year to 3.7m.

Malcolm Bateman, chief executive of Roslin BioCentre, said: "We've worked closely with our tenants over the past few years to ensure that we are providing affordable and fit-for-purpose facilities and shared services.

"Our aim is to make it easy for them to focus on developing their businesses. While there is current uncertainty about the economy, there's a real buzz about the place and it is great to hear this positive news."

The Roslin figures follow last week's report from BioCity Nottingham, which found that Scotland has the highest rate of biotechnology start-ups in the UK.

The number of life science firms operating north of the Border rose from 620 in 2008 to 630 last year, while the number of people employed increased by 1,500 to 32,500.