Scotland has set out an ambitious new plan to accelerate the expansion of its life sciences sector, with the Scottish Government aiming to boost the industry’s economic value to £25 billion within the next decade.
Business minister Richard Lochhead formally launched the updated strategy, which pledges targeted investment to drive innovation, support high-value jobs and strengthen collaboration between industry, academia and the public sector.
The strategy highlights the sector’s pivotal role in recent years, from its contribution to global pandemic response efforts to advances in precision medicine, health technologies and medical devices. Ministers say the refreshed plan is designed to ensure Scotland remains globally competitive as the next wave of emerging technologies — including artificial intelligence — reshapes health and life sciences.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Mr Lochhead said Scotland’s existing strengths provided solid foundations for future growth.
He said: “In the past five years, the life sciences sector has shaped our response to a global pandemic, responded to new opportunities in personalised medicine, health technology and medical devices, and played its part in meeting the Scottish Government’s net zero commitments.
“Scotland is rich in talent and already the destination of choice for many global businesses, investors, researchers and innovative health and care professionals. Our strategy will build on these strengths and outline actions to harness the power of the triple helix — industry, academia and the public sector — to collaborate and grow life sciences, using new technologies such as artificial intelligence.”
Industry leaders have welcomed the strategy. Mark Cook, chair of the Life Sciences Scotland Industry Leadership Group, described it as a significant moment for the sector.
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He said: “This strategy will bring substantial economic benefits, both locally and globally, as a result of Scotland’s innovative and vibrant life sciences cluster. With the game-changing impact of new technologies, from genome editing to AI, the next 10 years are critical to the global expansion of the sector and we must ensure Scotland is at the forefront of that.”
The Scottish Government says the strategy will guide long-term investment, underpin future research activity and ensure Scotland continues to attract international talent and high-growth companies.
Further details on delivery plans and investment priorities are expected to be published in the coming months.
