Current status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 9 July 2026
To ask the Scottish Government (a) when the new cluster development organisation for Scottish life sciences, as set out in the Life Sciences Strategy for Scotland 2035 Vision, was, or will, be constituted, (b) what its role and remit are, and (c) what is, or will be, its governance and oversight structure.
Strong industry led clusters are a proven means of delivering economic growth. The Scottish Government commissioned a report in 2025 to take views from industry and other stakeholders and inform the design of a cluster development function to augment and support existing engagement. (a) We will shortly be procuring the cluster development organisation. (b) Given that Life Sciences in Scotland is a mature landscape, with a number of existing sub-cluster entities, the structures and scale of the cluster development organisation can be expected to evolve over time. Its initial role and remit will be to provide a focal point to support sectoral growth and integration across the Life Sciences cluster; deliver the actions assigned to it within the first year delivery plan; and work with all stakeholders to develop a year 2/3 delivery plan. (c) We are working with the Life Sciences Scotland Industry Leadership Group to develop appropriate governance and oversight.