Strategy boost for life sciences

Dolly the sheep put Scottish life sciences on the map

A strategy has been launched to help develop Scotland as a leading centre for life sciences.

The initiative - 2020 Vision: Achieving Critical Mass - aims to attract investment from around the world.

It will focus on five key areas including developing new technologies, attracting leading scientists and building collaborative projects.

The strategy has been developed by the Life Sciences Alliance in partnership with Scottish Enterprise.

Finance Secretary John Swinney said Scotland was already a hub for life sciences, which contribute more than £2.8bn to the economy each year.

At the strategy launch he added: "Life sciences is an industry that can boost investment in Scotland and, with Scottish expertise, develop revolutionary and potentially life-saving technologies.

"We welcome the contribution this strategy makes to equipping the sector in Scotland with expertise and skills needed to lead global developments."

Jack Perry, Scottish Enterprise chief executive, said: "Life sciences has been one of Scotland's greatest success stories in recent years and it has the potential to become even more significant for the growth of our economy."