THE GENE GENIES Aug 18 2005
On-the-ball research and supply companies are finding there's a wealth of opportunities to be had thanks to the massive growth within Scotland's life sciences sector, says
John Penman
THE life sciences sector covers everything from medical and research organizations to veterinary and agricultural companies and those who supply them with goods and services.
It's a sector in which Scotland already punches well above its weight in global terms and can boast some amazing breakthroughs in fields as diverse as increasing crop yields to tackling dread diseases such as cancer.
This is creating significant small business opportunities for graduates and imaginative supply companies able to react quickly to the needs of emerging technologies.
Huge investment in research and healthcare at organizations such as the Beatson Oncology Centre in Glasgow is creating many innovations and supply opportunities, but niche suppliers are also finding rich pickings within the sector.
Glasgow-based Crucial Genetics, which specialises in using DNA samples to carry out procedures including rapid paternity testing and tracing of family bloodlines, were recently awarded accreditation from the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
As a result, they are now the only private firmin Scotland recognised as providing the quality of service and expertise required for DNA cases requested by the authorities.
Adam Middleton, business manager at Crucial Genetics, said: "We've been working really hard on getting accreditation since April, 2004, and it has been a long, complicated process.
"Achieving the standard required for UKAS accreditation is a real feather in our cap and it opens up a whole new side of the business for us."
Amici Procurement in Fairlie is another life sciences player and a recent start-up established to help specialist medical, veterinary and scientific organizations all over the UK and Europe to source the supplies they need.
Founder Caroline Briggs is already highly skilled in procurement for life science companies, having worked with market leaders Glaxo SmithKline and Invitrogen.
She says, "There are many ground-breaking companies who have limited time and resources to spend getting the best deal on everything from office supplies to highly technical equipment. Amici can save them time and money."
Amici also plan to help smaller life sciences companies achieve economies of scale by arranging consortium buying to offer discounts normally only available to larger companies. (Visit www.amiciprocurement.com) If companies wish to learn more about other business and investment opportunities within the life sciences sector in the West of Scotland, a good place to start is with Nexxus, the West of Scotland Bioscience Network, which provides details of activity within the area.
Check out their website at: www.nexxusscotland.com |
