Supporting life sciences entrepreneurs | ONE

The ONE Life Sciences Start-up Programme, which launched in early September, is supporting academics and researchers from the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University to take their first steps towards commercialisation.

The response to the programme, which is fully funded by ONE, has been strong and the long-term aim is to bring new therapeutics, medical technology and digital healthcare solutions to market.

ONE is working with the UK's most significant science incubator BioCity Group to deliver the series of four workshops.

Participants are introduced to tools that help to assess their business ideas and develop their value propositions. The process gives them the knowledge and confidence to take the first steps to start a life sciences company. The final workshop, in October, will see the business concepts pitched to an expert panel, with the most promising two going on to receive further development support.

Industry's ambition is to double the number of life sciences companies based in the region. North east Scotland has strengths in its academic, commercial, clinical and research communities in areas including biologics, health data science, medical imaging and medtech.

Prof Stephen Logan, chair of the ONE Life Sciences sector board, said: "North east Scotland has a track record of entrepreneurial leadership in life sciences with many growth companies based in and around Aberdeen. This programme is giving the next generation of innovators the support to start becoming business founders and leaders.

“There are talented innovators in our life sciences, clinical, digital and academic communities. Their research and ideas could positively change healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

"The response to the programme has been very encouraging, given the disruption and impact of COVID-19. People are looking ahead and thinking about how to make a difference. Successfully transitioning work from the lab, desktop and laptop into clinical and commercial settings will build the region's health economy, create high-value employment and address major health challenges,” said Prof Logan.