| ITI Life Sciences, based at Dundee Technology Park, was set up in October last year and has a budget of £150 million to identify new markets across the world and secure key roles for Scottish universities and businesses.
Director of research at Dundee University’s School of Life Sciences, Professor Cohen has long been regarded as a leading expert in cancer research and is one of the world’s two most cited scientists in the fields of biochemistry and biology.
He will form part of ITI’s advisory board, which will help the organisation identify potential across all areas of the life sciences industry and decide how Scotland can benefit.
Life sciences have been one of the major success stories of Scottish industry over the last decade, with the sector now employing 70,000 people full time and contributing over £5 billion a year to the nation’s economy.
Scotland has one of the best research bases in Europe and ITI hope to build on this success by creating long-term, sustainable growth in the area.
The organisation is in its infancy, and is at an early stage of assembling 10 members to its advisory board and identifying market trends.
With the £150 million Scottish Enterprise have given them over 10 years, they plan to commission research in Scottish universities and companies, with the intention of turning Scotland into a major global player in the industry.
Over the past months, John Chipling, CEO of ITI Life Sciences, has been recruiting his team and the members of the advisory board.
He said, “We are delighted that ITI Life Sciences is able to attract such world class expertise as we embark on this exciting journey, discovering new technologies that will enable us to build upon Scotland’s vibrant life sciences sector.
“It is testament to the ITI proposition that we have such a strong representation from both businesses and academia that will enable us to develop long-term commercially viable ventures.” |
