The Lothian region, which includes the city of Edinburgh, is located in central Scotland. The region has a rich history of innovation in science; famous innovators who have resided and worked in Edinburgh include Alexander Graham Bell, Joseph Lister and James Clark Maxwell.
Given this background, the region has unsurprisingly developed into a highly successful location for life science and biotechnology companies, who together generate a turnover in excess of £100 million. Scientific expertise is close to hand here thanks to the availability of skilled graduates from some of the UK’s top universities, including the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University. The region’s strong manufacturing history, inexpensive business premises, excellent transport links and countless scientific recruitment agencies provide science-based businesses with the ideal Scottish base.
Around 20% of the UK’s life science firms are based in Scotland and together they employ around 30,000 people. Companies operating in the Lothian region include, but are not limited to, Bausch & Lomb, which specialises in eye health, Quintiles, which is involved in drug development, Dynamic Imaging, which is dedicated to the design and manufacture of diagnostic ultrasound equipment, and Intercell, which is involved in the formulation of vaccines. Bausch and Lomb provides employment for over 2,000 staff, making it one of the region’s largest employers.