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Scotland gets ready for BIO2018
30th May 2018
Scotland’s unique research strengths are set to be showcased at the world’s largest pharma and biotech partnering event.
The BIO International Convention (BIO) takes place from 4–7 June in Boston, Massachusetts a major hub of America’s Life Science sector. It attracts over 16,0000 biotechnology and pharma leaders, from more than 70 countries, who come together for one week of intensive networking to discover new opportunities and promising partnerships.
NHS Research Scotland will form part of the Scotland pavilion (#1321), hosted by Scottish Development International, the international arm of Scotland's enterprise agencies. Together with other Scottish life science companies, it will showcase Scotland as a location of choice for businesses, researchers, healthcare professionals and investors.
Sharon McKendry, Head Life and Chemical Sciences, Scottish Development International comments:
“We are committed to attracting life science investment to Scotland, and through international engagement, and close working with colleagues at NHS Research Scotland, we are able to highlight the vast strengths and assets that make Scotland a world-leading location for research and innovation”
Complementing presence on the Scotland pavilion, NHS Research Scotland has more than 40 individual partnering meetings already scheduled.
Dr Charles Weller, NHS Research Scotland General Manager comments: “The CSO Strategy (2015) set a vision for Scotland to be renowned as a health science nation on the international stage. BIO2018 offers this stage – exhibition, partnering and networking opportunities provide unparalleled access to global life science companies. It’s a significant event in the development of our commercial strategy and I welcome the support of Scottish Development International in building our international exposure and developing these valuable global relationships”
Dr Steven Burke, NHS Research Scotland Industry Liaison Manager adds: “Our commercial research portfolio continues to strengthen. Individual partnering meetings at BIO will facilitate targeted discussions around Scotland’s infrastructure and capabilities with key pharma and biotech leaders. Making these connections, and matching our expertise with current drug pipelines is critical to increasing the level of high-quality health research conducted in Scotland.”
Scotland’s research strengths are well established, and together with our world-leading NHS, internationally renowned universities and industry form an interconnected network of experts and facilities that support research across all therapy areas and life science sectors. This unique whole country approach creates a vibrant and innovative research environment in Scotland.
Dr Stephen Kelly, Health Science Scotland Manager notes: “Scotland’s interconnectivity really sets us apart. NRS provides access to dedicated infrastructure and expertise for clinical trials, as well as tailored support to establish innovative academic studies. At BIO our goal is to identify and capitalize on opportunities for clinical trial and innovative scientific collaborations for NHS Scotland.”
The unique contribution of NHS in supporting research and innovation will also take centre stage at BIO on Tuesday evening (5th June) during a special 70th Anniversary celebration on the UK pavilion. All four nations will come together to celebrate the pioneering medical innovations within the NHS over the last 70 years. The reception will highlight the strength of our unique health system and showcase NHS as an unrivalled research partner.
Advances in medicine require collaboration and BIO2018 offers the opportunity to further establish Scotland’s reputation as a world-leading hub of innovative health research and development. Stay up to date with NRS activity through the week via @NHSResearchScot.
Further information via communications@nrs.org.uk.
Notes
BIO is the worlds largest pharma and biotech partnering event
- Intensive networking opportunities:
- 16,000+ attendees from 74 countries
- 41,000+ BIO one-on-one partnering meetings
- 10+ networking receptions
- Features over 50 international, regional and state pavilions and over 1800 exhibitors
- Wide spectrum of life science and application areas including drug discovery, biomanufacturing, genomics, biofuels, nanotechnology and cell therapy
More information on Bio can be found at http://convention.bio.org/.
SDI is the international arm of Scotland’s enterprise agencies and host of the Scotland pavilion. Alongside NHS Research Scotland, the Scotland Pavilion will feature Aurum Biosciences, MicroMatrices, Karma Oncology, CMAC, TC Biopharm, Reprocell, Novabiotics, Clyde Biosciences, Clintec and Phastar.
As a location for medical research and clinical trials, Scotland has a number of advantages over many other countries:
- Unified health service
- A stable population of c.5million
- Nationwide research infrastructure
- Internationally leading clinicians
- World-class academics
- Exceptional health informatics - an invaluable resource for the data-driven approach to healthcare of the future, with all patients in NHS Scotland having a unique identifier and electronic health record.
NHS Research Scotland is a partnership of Scottish NHS Boards and the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) of Scottish Government.
NHS Research Scotland provides simplified access to Scotland’s clinical research infrastructure and expertise assisting companies in identifying the right experts and facilities for their needs and enables patients to take part in research.
NHS Research Scotland has a strong portfolio of industry collaborations:
- The top 20 pharma companies have trials in Scotland
- Sustained strategic collaborations with top pharma and CRO’s including Roche, Pfizer, PPD and Quintiles date from 2012 and operate on a countrywide basis
- Scotland is the only entire country to be considered a Pfizer INSPIRE site
- Scotland joined AstraZeneca’s global genomics initiative in October 2016
- The new 2017 Life Sciences Strategy for Scotland – 2025 vision launched on 2nd February and can be downloaded here: http://www.lifesciencesscotland.com/.
