The bio-science and pharma sectors can help the economy grow as they continue to innovate and invest, Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said on a visit to the north east.
Mr Moore was in the north-east on visits to GlaxoSmithKline in Montrose and Cytosystems Ltd in Aberdeen to hear more about the industries and their investment in the Scottish economy.
GSK announced a £50 million investment in manufacturing at its Montrose site and the minister met Cobden Street site director Andy Ross and senior members of the team before taking a tour of the plant.
Mr Moore said: ”The visit to two very different companies has let me see first-hand how both major global andspecialised, smaller firms in Scotland are making a real difference to healthcare as well as being a key sector of the economy.”
Cytosystems was set up in 2006 and develop advanced laboratory diagnostic tests for cancer and has developed a screening and diagnostic solution for the detection of bladder and prostate cancer.
The Scottish Secretary met Richard Berry, the firm’s chief executive, along with Dr David Galloway, medical and scientific director at the company’s site in Craibstone.
The UK Government said it will encourage investment in research and development and related manufacturing by introducing a lower rate of corporation tax on profits from UK-owned intellectual property.
”The focus on innovation and using the skills and expertise available here in Scotland to take world-leading products to market has delivered for Scotland and continues to do so, for people, patients and for the economy,” Mr Moore said.
”The UK Government is doing its part to support life sciences through our policies which are ensuring support for research and development across the UK.”Focus on innovationThe future of GSK’s Montrose plant was secured after the company revealed plans for a £50 million investment in the once closure threatened site.
The investment which will see 60 new high-skilled jobs created was announced as part of a wider £500m investment package which will also see a further £50m invested in the firm’s Ayrshire site.
It had been hoped Angus could be a candidate to host the firm’s first new UK factory for 40 years but that £350m prize and the hundreds of jobs it will create went to Ulverton in Cumbria.
However, there was only good news for Montrose when vice-president Dave Tudor visited the site to announce the cash injection, which comes just years after the axe hung over the plant.
Mr Tudor described the turnaround at the site as like a phoenix rising from the ashes and said the new investment was down to the skill and dedication of the staff.
He added that the plant had become one of the most efficient in the GSK group in the past few years and the new investment was a reward for that hard work.
Around £25m will be used to extend manufacturing at the site including £13m to go towards respiratory medicine as well as providing a new build centre to develop production of aluminium adjuvants, high tech agents used in vaccines to stimulate the body’s immune system.
The firm also confirmed it intended to press ahead with controversial plans for two giant wind turbines at the Montrose site as part of an investment in green energy and environmentally friendly technologies.
The company said it was weighing up options for further significant investment in its UK manufacturing base.