Outstanding first year of operation for BioCity Scotland  

BioCity Scotland, the centre for life science businesses in Newhouse, Lanarkshire celebrated its first anniversary (January 5) since the site was officially handed to the new company by global pharmaceutical company MSD, for the creation of a bioscience business incubator.

Since the official opening, BioCity Scotland has attracted eleven start-up tenants, university spin-outs and well-established bioscience companies.

Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Life Science Association (SLA), the Life Sciences Advisory Board (LiSAB), Health Science Scotland, Medilink and ABHI have also been involved in the regular use of BioCity for international tours, meetings and training.

One of the earliest companies on site was stem cell services company Pharmacells, whose work is being applied to tackling diseases such as osteo-arthritis, cosmetic anti-aging, diabetes, and soft tissue and cartilage repair and renewal.

Pharmacells™ Chief Executive Athol Haas says:
“We were delighted to be able to relocate our stem cell banking service to the fantastic facilities provided by Biocity at Newhouse. Access to these world class facilities has allowed Pharmacells™ to develop our Oristem® and Thallocell™ products and to open new markets within regenerative medicine.”

Full service commercial law firm McClure Naismith LLP joined as BioCity Scotland Corporate Partners in April. Corporate partner status enables companies such as McClure to offer specialist advice to all BioCity companies through clinics, workshops, seminars and presentations. They also get involved in regular BioCity corporate events, such as the BioEntrepreneur Boot Camp.

David Gallagher, Associate with a particular interest in intellectual property says: “Partnering with BioCity Scotland has been a great opportunity for us over the last 12 months to meet, network and discuss legal issues with companies who are at the cutting edge of the sector in Scotland. Events, including the Boot Camp, have allowed individuals and companies to showcase the best that Scotland has to offer in this area and we are proud to support these growing businesses”.