Major investment in UK diabetes research

The Scottish government has announced a major multi-million investment in diabetes research and development (R&D) for Inverness.
The deal, worth GBP9.5 million and involving GBP2.8 million from the Scottish government’s Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) agency, will save over 1,000 jobs and create a number of new jobs in Inverness at the firm LifeScan, which is owned by Johnson and Johnson.
The site, one of the main private employers in the Highlands, currently produces devices for diabetics, but will now also carry out all the R&D for the company’s work on blood sugar monitoring.
The First Minister, Alex Salmond, on making the announcement during a trade visit to the United States, said “We are already at the forefront of diabetes research and this commitment to LifeScan in Inverness is a further demonstration of the fact that this Highlands base will continue to be a leader in cutting-edge research.”
He added “The research and development money will create new highly-skilled, well-paid jobs and will build on Scotland’s reputation for supporting economic growth and innovation.”
Alex Paterso, the chief executive of HIE, also commented “The decision to have the diabetes research and development effort in our regio, attracting staff from across the world, is a resounding vote of confidence in our capabilities in the life sciences sector.”