US life science firm expands European base in Scotland

Nicola Sturgeon said Life Technology’s £12.5 million investment in its Inchinnan facility was a “welcome boost” for Scotland’s economy.

The firm said the expansion would help to increase its research the development and production of biological drugs.

It is hoped that 30 jobs will be created at the site near Glasgow, where 500 people are already employed.

Ms Sturgeon said: “This investment is a welcome boost for Scotland’s economy and I’m delighted that Life Technologies have decided to expand their facility at Inchinnan.

“Scotland’s life sciences research is rightly regarded as among the very best in the world and developments like this help to continue to build on that enviable reputation for the future.”

Life Technologies is based in California and employs more than 10,000 people and has customers in 160 countries.

Company chairman Gregory Lucier said: “Our investment in this facility now provides a secure, complementary supply chain source for media used in life saving therapeutics while also addressing the growing global demand for our cell culture media products.

“We have a skilled workforce in Scotland whose commitment gives us a competitive advantage and allows us to serve our customers with high quality products.”

The expansion is linked to support from Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International, which were set up to encourage economic development, enterprise, innovation and investment in business.