HIE Invests £1.75m Into Inverness Life Science Centre

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has revealed it will invest £1.75 million into life science research at a new centre in Inverness.

Life science company ODx will use the medical technology research facility to develop a test to determine if urinary tract infections (UTIs) can resist antibiotics.

This could help to diagnose patients faster and provide them with treatment as soon as they need it. This is because UTI tests are generally conducted in hospital laboratories, typically taking two or three days for the results to get back to the patients.

However, ODx wants to create a point of care testing solution that can be used by GPs, specialist clinics and emergency departments. This will reduce laboratory use, as well as cut down on hospital admissions and limit the antibiotic prescriptions that are handed out.

James Cameron, HIE’s head of life sciences, said: “This exciting new facility fits well with the collaborative and innovative ethos of Inverness Campus. We look forward to working with the company on implementing its plans and to the benefits this will bring, notably the creation of highly-skilled jobs.”

HIE believes the investment will create 30 jobs as a result, from microbiologists and engineers to data scientists and lab technicians.

ODx has confirmed a lease for ten years for lab space in Solasta House, which is a life sciences building on Inverness Campus. This has also been developed by HIE, together with £1.5 million finance from the European Regional Development Fund.

The new centre was opened earlier this year, with Deputy First Minister John Swinney officially opening the 2,460 square metre facility on May 20th.

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