A digital directory has been launched to foster closer ties between the NHS and Scotland’s life science companies.

The Scottish Health Research and Innovation Ecosystem directory is led by the Life Sciences Scotland Industry Leadership Group (LSS) and helps companies engage with NHS Scotland to develop collaborative working projects.

The LSS is a collaboration between industry, enterprise agencies and government strategy teams.

Scottish Healthcare Innovation

The directory will include an easily searchable database of NHS, clinical, academic and trade organisations. Described as a “greatly simplified search process”, it will enable companies to find the correct contacts promptly.

This simplification, it is hoped, will promote greater collaboration, accelerate projects and help advance new approaches to patient care.

Julia Brown, Senior Director of High-Value Manufacturing and Health at Scottish Enterprise, said: “Collaboration between industry and NHS Scotland is key to the life sciences sector and Scotland achieving its potential.

“Scottish Enterprise is proud to have supported the creation of this new resource to help companies identify and access NHS and health research organisations to develop collaborative working projects and processes, from concept development through to commercialisation.”

The directory also allows companies to search under a variety of headings, such as invent, develop, test and sell.

This will help in connecting start-ups with the correct contacts.  A second tier search of clinical and technical areas also identifies the specific organisations and facilities required to progress new products and plans.

Life Sciences Strategy Vision

The directory tool has forms a key component of the Life Sciences Scotland Strategy, which aims to make Scotland a prime location for life science businesses, researchers, healthcare professionals and investors.

Dr Charles Weller, General Manager at NHS Research Scotland, said research and innovation are ‘vital drivers’ of improvements to patient care and overall economic growth.

“Research and innovation are vital drivers of improved patient care and economic growth,” he explained. “This tool complements our existing collaborative efforts with the life sciences community to develop new and improved treatments for patients.”

He added: “NHS Research Scotland (NRS) simplifies access to Scotland’s world-class research infrastructure, supporting the placement, setup and delivery of clinical research studies and innovative research collaborations from all sectors and therapy areas.”