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The Scope to Succeed

Our Partners

Edinburgh BioQuarter is backed by the City of Edinburgh Council, NHS Lothian, Scottish Enterprise and the University of Edinburgh; with each organisation bringing formidable experience and expertise in areas crucial to BioQuarter’s success and future development plans.


The City of Edinburgh Council

Edinburgh BioQuarter is critical to the Council’s plans for sustainable city growth and place-making.

It is essential that BioQuarter ties closely to the Council’s work in supporting local economic development and wellbeing.

As the life sciences sector, data-driven innovation and collaboration are at the heart of the Council’s economic strategy, BioQuarter is a unique driver within the city’s sector and investment strategies. The City of Edinburgh Council believes the project will:

  • Drive inclusive growth by maintaining the supply of high-quality jobs and direct job creation in the knowledge-based economy
  • Potentially attract significant inward investments and talents to the city
  • Strengthen the Edinburgh City brand as a place to grow businesses
  • Ensure that the opportunities presented by BioQuarter will generate and harness local community development
Visit The City of Edinburgh Council

NHS Lothian

With an annual budget of £1.6bn, NHS Lothian already has significant assets at Edinburgh BioQuarter and plans to expand its footprint.

Scotland’s ageing population requires well-planned NHS care. BioQuarter will play a strategic role in meeting this key objective for NHS Lothian. We are interested in working will all partners to develop big data opportunities. By enhancing collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, we can impact patient care and potentially increase research commercialisation and spin-out companies at BioQuarter. As a founding partner of Edinburgh BioQuarter, NHS Lothian will benefit from the partnership by:

  • Utilising innovation to improve the quality of healthcare delivery and drive down cost
  • Providing an on-site improved experience in the form of superior retail and leisure facilities, making it easier to recruit and retain staff
  • Providing an environment within which opportunities to collaborate can be enhanced and benefits maximised
Visit NHS Lothian

Scottish Enterprise

Scottish Enterprise is Scotland’s economic development agency.

Its vision for Edinburgh BioQuarter is for the site to become a ‘world-class biomedical facility for research and development’– a location contributing significantly to the local and national economy. Scottish Enterprise has provided the majority of funding and resource to BioQuarter’s infrastructure, including NINE – Life Sciences Innovation Centre. Scottish Enterprise believes a partnership with BioQuarter will:

  • Strengthen Scotland’s life sciences sector by 2025
  • Create a vibrant commercial life sciences community that attracts new and further inward investment from companies and investors
  • Leverage the existing and extensive investments in Edinburgh BioQuarter by private sector investments
  • Provide industry/commercial accommodation that collaborates with the partners’ activities
Visit Scottish Enterprise

The University of Edinburgh

A priority for the University of Edinburgh is the creation, at BioQuarter, of an ecosystem providing world-leading research, teaching, impact and innovation .

The University has already invested circa £80m at BioQuarter, and has imminent plans to expand its medical school. It is likely to invest a further £100m+ over the next 5-7 years to deliver on-site teaching and research facilities.

Greater capacity will encourage additional research opportunity and provision, leading to more life sciences innovation. By moving University functions from the centre of Edinburgh, the expectation is of a boost to creative thinking, an increase in opportunities for collaboration and a rise in commercial activity. Growing its current presence at BioQuarter, the University will:

  • Make the school a more attractive proposition for students and academics
  • Deliver additional space for the University in its city centre locations
  • Enhance Edinburgh BioQuarter by bringing University resources, experience and finance to undertake its own on-site developments and activities
Visit The University of Edinburgh

Partnership Governance

Bringing together executive management from across our four public partners, the Strategy Board agrees and enables BioQuarter’s vision. Comprised of senior individuals experienced in healthcare, life sciences, investment and other key sectors. The Advisory Board provides a range of complementary skills, expertise and advice to the Strategy Board. Both Boards boast significant strength across the private and public sectors.

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