Scotland’s life sciences sector is defying expectations. The industry-led Life Sciences Scotland set a turnover target of £8 billion by 2025. New data reveals the target was passed five years ahead of schedule.

It’s a remarkable achievement. Some companies have seen 20 – 30% growth each year since 2010. In that same period, the sector witnessed a 190% increase in turnover.

At Pioneer Group, we are proud to contribute to this vibrant ecosystem through our cutting-edge campuses like BioCity Glasgow and Edinburgh Technopole, as well as our venture-building expertise and Accelerator Programmes.

From biotech breakthroughs to sustainable solutions, Scotland life sciences innovators are leading the charge in transforming industries and addressing some of the world’s most complex human and planetary health challenges.

Leading the way in health and sustainability

At BioCity Glasgow, innovators are tackling some of the planet’s most urgent challenges.

Take Novosound, a trailblazing Scottish sensors company that has developed the world’s first ultrasonic blood pressure monitor for wearables. This breakthrough could make monitoring as simple as checking a smartwatch. Dave Hughes, CEO and Founder of Novosound, said: “Scotland has long been at the forefront of ultrasound innovation, and we are proud to continue this legacy. Monitoring blood pressure with ultrasound, and without the need for a cuff, marks a significant advancement in how we can address global health and wellness issues.”

Meanwhile, Revive Eco, also based at BioCity Glasgow, is driving change in environmental sustainability by turning coffee grounds into a sustainable palm oil alternative. Having secured a major contract with France-based SAS Pivert, Revive Eco is offering a solution to the devastating biodiversity loss caused by conventional palm oil production. The company’s Co-Founder, Fergus Moore, underscores the impact: “The patented technology developed by our amazing technical team is something that has scope to positively impact the future of how a host of products from across the beauty, food and drinks industries are made and developed across the world.”

Growing the life sciences ecosystem

At Pioneer, we believe in creating thriving clusters that fuel innovation and regional growth. Within the vibrant Scotland life sciences ecosystem, Ingenza stands out as a global leader in drug development and sustainable biotech manufacturing and it is now expanding to a state-of-the-art facility at our Edinburgh Technopole campus. Part of the Midlothian Science Zone, this expansion doubles Ingenza’s research capacity and creates 50 new jobs. Its inGenius™ platform is already accelerating drug discovery and sustainable manufacturing.

John Mackenzie, Pioneer’s Director for Scotland, notes: “Ingenza’s growth is hugely positive for our local life sciences cluster, being an exemplar of the Pioneer model of local economic development, partnership and impact that will accelerate scientific discovery.”

Ingenza will move into the new facility in Q2 of 2025.

Fuelling growth through funding and collaboration

Investment is vital for scaling innovation, providing the resources needed to accelerate breakthroughs and expand capabilities. Recent funding successes for Scotland life sciences companies highlight the region’s growing momentum as a hub for life sciences advancement. Ingenza secured a £2m loan through the British Business Bank’s Investment Fund for Scotland to fuel its expansion. At the same time, Cytomos, a biotech based at Edinburgh Technopole, raised £5m to scale its AuraCyt platform, which cuts drug development timelines by six months.

David Rigterink, CEO of Cytomos, reflects: “Successfully raising £5 million within a difficult market has been a huge boost for the business. Cytomos now has the right building blocks in place to scale quickly, establish a foothold in the US, and continue developing our single cell analysis technology to support advancements in biological drug development and manufacturing automation.”

Pioneering therapies and cutting-edge research

In Glasgow, EnteroBiotix is making waves with EBX-102, a best-in-class microbiome therapy. Early clinical trials reveal promising potential for treating liver disease, with unexpected mental health benefits adding to the excitement.

Dr James McIlroy, CEO of EnteroBiotix, shares: “In addition to safety and tolerability data supporting further studies, we observed multiple microbiome and systemic measurements supporting mechanistic proof-of-principle. There are very large unmet medical needs in the field of advanced liver disease, and it is greatly encouraging that EBX-102 has potential efficacy in this population.”

Scotland life sciences: A shared vision for growth

Scotland’s ambition to achieve £25 billion in life sciences revenues by 2035 underscores its global aspirations. At the recent Life Sciences Scotland ILG Symposium, Pioneer’s John Mackenzie, who is Co-Chair of the Animal Health, Agritech, and Aquaculture ILG, joined the strategic discussions, where collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and a shared vision were highlighted as critical drivers for achieving this ambitious target.

Where innovation flourishes

At Pioneer, we don’t just provide infrastructure; we create ecosystems where innovation flourishes. With 12 life sciences campuses across the UK – including two in Scotland – we deliver the spaces, networks, and resources that empower groundbreaking companies to thrive.

The success stories emerging from Scotland demonstrate the immense talent and innovation driving this sector forward. Together, we’re shaping the future of health, sustainability, and global impact.