This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Life science links between Scotland and US
20/10/2006
First Minister Jack McConnell has today secured an agreement with the California Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Research (QB3) to pursue collaborative opportunities with Scottish universities in the field of life sciences.
QB3 and the California life science community are one of the most sought after partners in this sector and today's agreement is founded on the fact that "there are tremendous opportunities for Scotland to contribute to the Life Sciences through their strengths in bioengineering" according to QB3 director Reg Kelly.
The agreement was secured at a meeting between QB3, the First Minister and Bay Bio, an independent, non-profit trade association serving the life science industry in Northern California.
First Minister Jack McConnell described the agreement as the "key to a door that can take us to some fantastic, life changing places". He also stressed the crucial role the Globalscot Network was playing in agreements such as this.
QB3 is one of four new Californian Institutes for innovation which are designed to link academia and industry to drive economic growth in California. Two of the four are headed up by Scots.
Reg Kelly, who is a Globalscot, said: "I was very impressed with the convergence of Scotland and California in the ways we are both trying to bring academia and industry together to support innovation. I think there are tremendous opportunities for Scotland to contribute to the Life Sciences through their strength in bioengineering."
The First Minister said: "Scotland and California are leaders in life science. Scotland has a proud history in providing cures and treatments for all sorts of illnesses. I believe we have an equally exciting future.
"Partners are vital to take us to where we want to go and there is no better place to have partners than the San Francisco Bay area. This is a global hub for the life science sector. We were told today just how many companies come from all across the world hoping to work with the academics and businesses in this part of the USA. But to be quite frank they are pretty choosy.
"They want partnerships that deliver results. It was made clear to me that Scotland is regarded as a place they want to do business with. We are a leader in this field and we have much to offer.
"The Globalscot network is a real ace up our sleeve. Today's agreement is only latest example of how Globalscots work for us.
"I really believe this agreement is the key to a door that can take us to some fantastic, life changing places. The results could be incredible both medically and economically."
In the course of the meeting in San Francisco QB3 expressed their admiration for the way Scottish universities are working together.
The First Minister sought and received some expert advice about the 'choke points' and opportunities Scotland should be looking to exploit.
Background
QB3 (the California Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Research) is a cooperative effort among three campuses of the University of California and private industry. Its key role is to harness measurable sciences to assist understanding of biological systems at all levels - from atoms and protein molecules to cells, tissues, organs and the entire organism. This allows scientists to attack problems that have been simply unapproachable before, setting the stage for new discoveries, new products and new technologies for the benefit of human health. The institute was founded in 2000 and has over 150 faculty affiliates (labs).
QB3 is one of four Californian Institutions of Innovation (centres of excellence), established by the University of California, which have been tasked with exploring industry to academic linkages. The four Institutes of Innovation are:
- QB3 at the University of California at San Francisco focusing on bio-technology
- Nanotechnology at University of California Los Angeles
- Wireless Technologies at the University of California at San Diego
- Embedded Software at University of California at Berkeley
Reg Kelly is the Director of QB3 (California Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Research) which is the liaison body between the University of California and Biotechnology firms interested in locating to the Mission Bay Life Sciences Park. Reg has been a faculty member of the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics at the University of California since 1971. He became Executive Vice Chancellor of the University in 2001 and has been a Globalscot since 2004.
BayBio is an independent, non-profit trade association serving the life science industry in Northern California. BayBio supports over 800 life science companies and their 85,000 employees through their offices and representatives in South San Francisco, Berkeley and Sacramento, and through coalition partners in Washington, DC.
The agreement secured today will be based around educational and research exchange and will be similar in approach to the link between the Human communication research centre at the University of Edinburgh and the Centre for the Study of Language and Information at Stanford University, California. More details will be released in due course.