Jobs created at new life science European HQ

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon officially opened the new European headquarters of a life sciences company which is set to generate 15 new jobs and safeguard a further three following new investment.

ReproCELL received £150,000 funding from Scottish Enterprise to support the company’s relocation to new and expanded facilities at the West of Scotland Science Park.

The company has invested a further £630,000 to base their European HQ in Scotland and create jobs in two new areas of innovation - stem cell reprogramming and 3D cell culture, adding to their existing 14 employees.

Speaking at the event, the First Minister said:

“Life sciences is an exciting and developing growth sector for Scotland’s economy and it is testament to confidence in the sector that ReproCELL has decided to base its European operations here.

“Scotland has a global reputation as a country of excellence when it comes to life sciences and this investment is another vote of confidence in Scotland as a country that has the talent, the facilities and the expertise to thrive in an increasingly global and technology driven economy.

“The jobs that are being created and safeguarded will bring significant benefit to the surrounding area and I am looking forward to seeing the company go from strength to strength in the future.”

Dr David Bunton, CEO of ReproCELL Europe Ltd said:

Scottish Enterprise has worked closely with the company in Scotland, Europe, US and Japan to provide business support. This has included work from SDI field colleagues in Japan and across Europe to help identify potential customers, as well as tailored company support on the ground in Scotland to look at new market opportunities globally and extend existing testing services.

Rhona Allison, Company Growth Senior Director at Scottish Enterprise, said: “ReproCELL’s new expertise in stem-cell reprogramming and 3D cell culture, together with its world class facilities are a further and significant boost to Scotland’s growing life sciences capabilities. The company’s confidence in Scotland is testament to the country’s global reputation in the sector and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the ReproCELL team to help them realise their growth ambitions.”

Background information

ReproCELL received £150,000 of Regional Selective Assistance from Scottish Enterprise in December 2016.