This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Life sciences development agreement
18/04/2006
Scottish Ministers and the government of Victoria in Australia agreed today to examine the scope for greater collaboration to develop their life sciences industries.
The agreement came as John Brumby, State Treasurer and Minister for Innovation, Industry and Regional Development for the State of Victoria visited Scotland and follows the establishment of a Sister State Agreement between Victoria and Scotland last month.
First Minister Jack McConnell and Mr Brumby visited Edinburgh's Centre for Biomedical Research where academic, medical and commercial expertise are combining to form one of the world's foremost locations for biomedical research.
The First Minister said:
"Scotland has a world class reputation in the field of life sciences and this new campus will create a worldwide centre of excellence.
"Scotland is gaining an international reputation for the strength of the networks between our universities, the NHS and research and development companies, and now we want to establish international networks that can strengthen the industry further.
"When I signed the Sister State Agreement with Victoria in Melbourne last month, I highlighted the scope for collaboration on life sciences, an area where Victoria is also involved in world-leading research and development. Today we agreed to examine in some detail the scope for further, stronger cooperation."
Mr Brumby said:
"There are many synergies between Victoria's and Scotland's economies with both jurisdictions home to leading biotechnology sectors.
"The Victorian and Scotland governments have recognised the importance of this sector which is why both have invested strongly in emerging technologies in areas including stem cell research, drug discovery, agricultural biotechnology, development of medical devices and energy.
"Scotland has impressive science strengths, demonstrated by the pioneering of breakthroughs such as cloning, keyhole surgery and the development of beta blockers which are used to treat hypertension and heart disease.
"Together with the world-leading research and development currently being undertaken in Victoria, I believe there is much to benefit by both jurisdictions working together."
The life sciences industry in Scotland has grown at an average rate of 20 per cent over the last four years compared with a 15 per cent growth rate for the rest of Europe. Scotland is now home to around 21 per cent of the UK's biotech companies.
The agreement today follows the recent announcement of a partnership in Scotland between Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, health boards, universities and Scottish Enterprise and the decision by GlaxoSmithKline to invest £25 million in their Montrose life sciences division. Once completed, it is estimated that the Centre for Biomedical Research in Edinburgh will attract more than £600 million of investment.
Earlier in the day, the First Minister, Mr Brumby and Tom McCabe, Scotland's Finance Minister, met at Bute House where they discussed Melbourne's experience in hosting the Commonwealth Games last month and the lessons that could be learned to benefit Scotland's bid to host the Games in Glasgow in 2014.