'Transformative' life sciences investment could create up to 750 jobs in Scotland

Life sciences firm LumiraDx has outlined a major investment in its current Scottish operations which could see as many as 750 jobs created over the next three years.

Supported by a £15m grant from Scottish Enterprise, new jobs will be located at sites across Stirling, Inverness and a new facility under construction at Eurocentral, near Glasgow.

Last month, The Scotsman revealed that the firm, which produces tests for Covid-19 and other health conditions, was looking to take on some 300 workers in Scotland

Michael Page, part of recruitment giant PageGroup, said it would be leading on recruiting those roles, which cover manufacturing handlers, production technicians, as well as shift team leaders.

Life sciences giant LumiraDx has announced a major investment in its current Scottish operations which could see up to 750 jobs created over the next three years.

Revealing the grant funding, Scottish Enterprise said a total of 510 new posts would be guaranteed over the next three years as a result of the investment. LumiraDx is hopeful this could rise to more than 750 if current market demand prevails.

Up to 80 per cent of the healthcare products manufactured by the firm will be for the export market, including the US, Europe and Japan.

LumiraDx chief executive Ron Zwanziger said: “We are pleased to contribute to Scotland’s health and economic growth, now and beyond the pandemic.

“We are also delighted to be increasing our footprint in Scotland and expanding the country’s life sciences industry. Next-generation point of care testing technology can help to transform healthcare systems.

“It’s an exciting undertaking, and we know to do this quickly and to do it well we need the right infrastructure in place and access to incredible talent to drive this development. Scotland has both. We are proud to be investing in the country, and its communities and grateful to Scottish Enterprise for their support through this grant.”

Scottish Enterprise interim chief executive Linda Hanna said: “LumiraDx is at the global cutting edge of next generation rapid diagnostic testing and this investment has the potential to be transformative for Scotland’s life sciences sector and wider economy.

“Over the last decade, we and our partners have steadfastly pursued an ambition to simultaneously create wealth whilst promoting health by nurturing a vibrant life sciences sector that thrives on academic excellence, exceptional skills and a strong and supportive business environment.”

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