Diabetes

Scotland is a world-leader on research into the mechanisms of diabetes and metabolic diseases, and on work to find a cure.

The Scottish Diabetes Framework was established by the Scottish Government to draw together existing guidance and best practice and to set out the first steps of a 10-year programme to address the problem of diabetes.

Scotland's strengths in drug discovery and development

Scotland has taken an integrated approach to diabetes research and clinical development.

University researchers work closely with clinicians to develop new techniques and they have a large, well developed network of patients to draw upon across Scotland.

This high-profile focus on diabetes has also encouraged CROs and diagnostic and medical device manufactures to set up operations in Scotland.

Scotland's strengths in diabetes includes:

  • Strong university research in metabolic disease
  • Broad range of private companies working to develop diagnostics for diabetes care
  • Collaboration between universities, the private sector and Scottish Government

Working in diabetes research in Scotland

Scotland is making the advances and attracting the investment to make a concerted effort to tackle diabetes.

Some of the companies working in diabetes research are:

  • LifeScan
  • SureSensors
  • Axis-Shield
  • Optos
  • Gycologic

Contract research organisations/consultancy involved in diabetes testing include:

  • ClinTec International
  • Charles River Laboratories
  • Fulcrum Pharma Development
  • Group H
  • PPD
  • PharmaLinks

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Education and research in drug discovery and development

Scotland has a world class reputation for its diabetes research with Dundee University having a specialised 5* rated unit and some of the finest researchers in the world.

There are four main universities that are working ground-breaking research to understand the nature of diabetes and the working of insulin and sugar transmission through the body, as well studying the affects of obesity on the development of Type 2 Diabetes.

Scottish institutes working in diabetes research include:

  • Dundee Diabetes Research Centre — a joint venture between the University of Dundee's Faculty of Life Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing
  • Institute for Medical Sciences — University of Aberdeen
  • The Glasgow Biomedicine project — a groundbreaking initiative between NHS Greater Glasgow and the University of Glasgow
  • Centre for Health Science, Inverness