Scotland and Massachusetts have launched a new life sciences partnership designed to strengthen commercial and research ties between the country’s growing sector and one of the world’s leading biotech clusters.
The Scotland-Massachusetts Bio-Bridge, launched on 10 September at a special session of Venture Café Edinburgh at the University of Edinburgh’s Futures Institute, will link Scottish life sciences companies with the academic, pharmaceutical and venture capital communities of Boston and Cambridge. The programme will see delegations visit each side of the Atlantic to promote learning, investment and commercial partnership.
The initiative is jointly funded, with the UK Government committing £49,000, including Brand Scotland funding, matched by the Scottish Government — a total of £98,000. The Governor of Massachusetts, Maura Healey, is named as an advocate of the Bio-Bridge.
The launch drew more than 100 venture capitalists, life sciences businesses and academics, and was attended by Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander.
Scotland’s life sciences sector comprises more than 700 businesses, generates around £4.9 billion in exports and contributes around £10 billion in annual turnover, according to the Scottish Government. Under the refreshed Life Sciences Strategy, the sector’s ambition is to grow turnover to £25 billion by 2035.
“By investing in the Bio-Bridge, the UK Government is backing Scottish businesses to grow domestically and internationally,” said Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Scotland. “Creating opportunities, like this link with organisations in Massachusetts, puts Scotland at the forefront of healthcare developments that will improve lives across the world.
“Scotland is globally recognised for excellence in healthcare innovation — from therapeutics and diagnostics, to clinical research and digital healthcare.”
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Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts, said: “I’m proud of the strong relationship Massachusetts and Scotland have built over the years, and of the ambition, innovation and spirit of collaboration that has brought us together. This Bio-Bridge brings our world-class life sciences communities even closer, creating new opportunities to turn great ideas into breakthroughs that improve lives. I’m excited to support this work and see what we can achieve together.”
The programme is being hosted by Venture Café Edinburgh, part of a global innovation network that grew from a base in Boston. “Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation,” said Dr Claudia Cavalluzzo, Director of Venture Café Edinburgh. “By creating a dedicated channel for cross-border collaboration, this initiative provides entrepreneurs and life sciences companies in Scotland with a powerful launchpad for international growth.”
