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Drug Discovery and Development

Drug discovery and development

As the home of one of the biggest life science clusters in Europe, it's not surprising that Scotland is at the forefront of cutting-edge drug research. Scotland's drug discovery and development industry has attracted a significant multinational presence and is supported by globally recognised research, industrial technology and universities; all with well developed links to industry.

If you're in the drug discovery and development sector, Scotland is a fantastic place to further your career. You can keep up to date with new drug discovery and development opportunities by registering with TalentScotland - you'll also receive job information and regular news about Scotland's life science industry. 

Scotland's drug discovery and development opportunities

The size of the drug discovery industry in Scotland makes for healthy commercial and academic employment opportunities. The country boasts several life sciences companies specifically focused on the drug discovery and development process with key strengths including:
  • Development of human antibody-producing cell lines for use against infectious diseases
  • Methods to accelerate drug development and reduce product attrition
  • The production of new antibiotics
  • Products for psychiatric and neurological disorders
  • Development of innovative technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer

Skills in particular demand within the Scottish drug discovery and development sector include biochemistry, analytical chemistry, medicinal chemistry, microbiology and sales and marketing.

Some companies involved at the forefront of Scottish drug discovery are:

  • ProStrakan- engaged in the development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for the treatment of unmet therapeutic needs in major markets.
  • Schering Plough (formerly Organon) - carries out research and development of innovative prescription medicines for anaesthesia, mental health, gynaecology and for cardiovascular disease.
  • CXR Biosciences - accelerates drug development, reduce product attrition attempts to "rescue" molecules with unexplained preclinical observations.
  • Cyclacel- develops novel mechanism-targeted drugs for treating cancer, by using small molecule drugs designed to stop uncontrolled cell division.
Some more key organisations include: Scottish Biomedical Ltd, Aquapharm and Controlled Therapeutics.

These companies have a strong, dynamic support network that includes a base of drug formulation and delivery companies, pharmaceutical clinical trials support and contract research enterprises and over 200 companies involved in supporting and supplying the drug discovery and development process.

Click here for more information on Scottish life sciences.
Click here for information on drug discovery and development companies on the Life Sciences Scotland website

Drug discovery and development university research centres

Scotland's powerful drug discovery industry is well represented academically. The country boasts many university departments and research institutes focussed on conducting drug discovery research. The academic sector frequently collaborates with the drug discovery industry with many successes, including cloning adult mammals, keyhole surgery, modelling human functions, biosensors, imaging techniques and materials.

Several of Scotland's university drug discovery departments achieved a 5-star quality grade and have attracted close ties with industry, as well as much finding and the arrival of top academics from around the world.

Scotland's academic sector has also been a successful breeding ground for university spin-out companies that develop into commercial successes and the drug discovery industry has particular strengths in cancer research, as well as developments in research for cardiovascular disease, neuroscience and diabetes.

Some departments undertaking such research include:
  • British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Research Centre - a £12m research facility carrying out research in genetics and vascular biology applied to cardiovascular disease at the University of Glasgow.
  • The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research - this Glasgow based centre is one of the UK's leading research centres, working to enhance understanding of neoplastic behaviour and growth with the goal of improving prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The centre's research ranges from basic molecular cancer research to the development of cancer drugs and diagnostics, both in the laboratory and the clinic.
  • Wellcome Trust Biocentre - led by Sir Philip Cohen, this £14m development provides state of the art facilities for hundreds of international scientists. This University of Dundee department has a successful collaborative history with the industry and currently works with 8 out of 10 top pharmaceutical companies.
  • University of Dundee, Neurosciences Institute - this centre addresses the causes of neurological conditions like Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy and strokes, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying normal brain function.
  • Wellcome Trust Edinburgh Cardiovascular Research Initiative - based at the University of Edinburgh, this centre promotes excellence in research and training in sciences relevant to cardiovascular disease and related drug development.

Click here for more Scottish academic and research departments.

From post doctoral research to principal investigators, Scotland's academic area has a wealth of opportunity and is a family all would be proud to be a part of. From roots in the amazing creation of Dolly the sheep to world recognised research in kinases, Scotland is committed to maintaining its global leadership in drug discovery and development.

More on Scotland's drug discovery and development

Life Sciences Scotland

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