Scotland Health, Biotech & Nutrition R&D Companies Directory

The Agri-EPI Centre is a large-scale agricultural innovation hub that facilitates the development and deployment of precision farming technologies. They operate as a central node in the UK agri-tech ecosystem, connecting researchers, technology developers, and farmers to solve challenges in productivity, sustainability, and animal welfare. Their work has evolved from broad feasibility studies to highly specific, automated, and data-driven solutions for livestock management, crop health, and environmental monitoring.

The University of Aberdeen is a research-intensive academic institution that leverages its expertise in biotechnology, data science, and engineering to solve complex industrial and societal challenges. Through a robust portfolio of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and collaborative R&D, the university translates fundamental research into practical applications across sectors including healthcare, energy, and agriculture. Their work has evolved from traditional academic inquiry to a highly commercialised model of technology transfer, focusing on sustainability, digital transformation, and health innovation.

Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) is a leading academic and research institution specialising in agricultural science, veterinary medicine, and environmental sustainability. They bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical on-farm application, focusing on livestock health, soil biodiversity, and the transition of the UK agricultural sector toward Net Zero. Their work has evolved from traditional agricultural research to a highly collaborative, technology-driven approach that integrates AI, robotics, and circular economy principles into food production systems.

The University of Stirling is a leading Scottish research institution that leverages its academic expertise to drive innovation across environmental, health, and social sectors. Through a robust portfolio of collaborative R&D and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), the university translates complex scientific research into practical solutions for industry, focusing on sustainable aquaculture, ecosystem restoration, and digital health. Their work has evolved from fundamental environmental research into a diverse range of applied commercial partnerships that integrate AI and data analytics into real-world industrial and social frameworks.

Blackwood Homes & Care is a large-scale Scottish housing and care provider that develops integrated, age-friendly living environments. Their work focuses on co-designing place-based innovation ecosystems that combine housing design, digital empowerment, and health services to support independent living for older people. Their approach integrates physical infrastructure with community-led digital platforms to improve health outcomes and social connectivity.

NovaBiotics is a small biotechnology company specialising in the development of novel antifungal treatments and repurposed therapies for infectious diseases. The company originated with a Knowledge Transfer Partnership to formulate an oral thrush treatment, then progressed to leading a £1.8M project for its novel antifungal drug Novamycin targeting invasive fungal infections, and subsequently led a £975K project repurposing Nylexa for COVID-19. Their work addresses antimicrobial resistance and unmet medical needs in fungal and viral infections.

Causeway Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing microRNA replacement therapies for musculoskeletal diseases, specifically tendinopathy and osteoarthritis. Their lead candidate, TenoMiR, targets the molecular mechanisms of tendon disease and has progressed through early and late-stage clinical trials. The company's research has expanded from tendinopathy to osteoarthritis with a second candidate, OsteoMiR.

Peacock Technology applies artificial intelligence, machine vision, and sensor technologies to agricultural and food production challenges, focusing on livestock health monitoring, precision crop management, and dairy farm sustainability. Their work has evolved from feasibility studies in quantum magnetometers for livestock to large-scale robotics and AI platforms for dairy farming, aiming to reduce environmental impact and improve animal welfare.

The Robert Gordon University is a prominent Scottish academic institution that functions as a research-intensive partner for industry-led innovation. Its work spans a diverse range of sectors, including energy, manufacturing, digital health, and biotechnology, with a particular focus on translating academic expertise into practical commercial solutions through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and collaborative R&D. The university's research portfolio has evolved from traditional engineering and infrastructure support to advanced applications in AI, digital twins, and circular economy processes.

Beta Bugs is a Scotland-based insect genetics SME that specialises in selective breeding of Black Soldier Flies (BSF) to produce high-performance genetics (HiPer-Fly) for the insect-as-feed sector. The company develops and scales multiplication facilities (The Multiplier) to supply BSF eggs and larvae to producers globally, addressing the need for sustainable protein sources in animal feed. Their work has evolved from early feasibility studies into a commercial breeding programme and facility scale-up, positioning them as a key player in the UK's emerging insect protein industry.

Invizius is a Scottish biotechnology company focused on transforming dialysis care by reducing complications and improving patient outcomes. The company develops hemocompatibility coatings and solutions to extend the durability of dialysis treatment, initially spinning out from research on yeast protein expression systems.

RoslinCT is a contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) specialising in cell and gene therapies. The company develops scalable manufacturing processes for advanced therapies, including retinal progenitor cell treatments and clinical-grade induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Their work has evolved from a specific cell therapy for retinitis pigmentosa to a platform mRNA reprogramming technology, while also contributing to NHS infrastructure for delivering advanced therapies.

Roslin Technologies is a Scottish biotech company specialising in developing animal stem cell lines and culture media for the cultivated meat industry. The company translates academic research from the University of Edinburgh into commercial tools, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that differentiate into muscle and fat for multiple species such as pig, cattle, sheep, and crustaceans. Their work aims to address sustainability and food security challenges by enabling scalable production of cultivated meat.

MyWay Digital Health is a spin-out from the University of Dundee that develops AI-powered digital health platforms for diabetes self-management and clinical decision support. The company has evolved from building the MyDiabetesIQ decision-support system to creating the MyWay Precision precision medicine tool, leveraging national health data and partnerships with the NHS and academia.

SOLASTA Bio is a biotechnology company developing peptide-based bioinsecticides for sustainable crop protection. Their targeted discovery platform identifies small proteins that selectively target insect pests without harming beneficial insects, replacing conventional chemical insecticides. The company has progressed from an initial technology development project (Insect Water Taps) to a Series A commercialisation project focused on bringing these bioinsecticides to market.

Elasmogen is a Scottish biotechnology company specialising in the development of novel VNAR (Variable New Antigen Receptor) biologics, known as soloMERs™, derived from shark antibodies. Their technology platform focuses on targeted drug delivery for cancer and inflammatory ocular diseases, aiming to improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects. The company's grant history shows a progression from feasibility studies on nanoparticle-conjugated therapeutics to late-stage pre-clinical oncology assets, with collaborations with Queen's University Belfast and the University of Aberdeen.

Acu-Flow is a Scottish medical device company developing a new generation of nebulisers for precise and efficient inhalation delivery of medicines to the lungs. Their technology focuses on controlling droplet size to target drug deposition at different depths within the pulmonary system, addressing respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, and pulmonary hypertension. Over three Innovate UK grants, they have progressed from a novel nebuliser platform to a tuneable device capable of adjusting droplet size for specific conditions.

Symbiosis Pharmaceutical Services is a Scottish contract manufacturing organisation specialising in the fill-finish and supply of sterile drug products for cell and gene therapies. Their grant history shows a focus on expanding UK viral vector manufacturing capacity, improving supply chain efficiency, and developing next-generation commercial manufacturing platforms through collaborations with gene therapy developers and the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult.

The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) is a leading marine research organisation that bridges the gap between academic marine science and commercial aquaculture applications. Their work has evolved from technical hydrodynamic modelling for salmon farming to broader, interdisciplinary initiatives in restorative aquaculture, seaweed biotechnology, and marine spatial planning. They actively facilitate professional development and entrepreneurship within the blue bioeconomy to support sustainable food production and environmental conservation.

Highland Biosciences is a micro-enterprise developing handheld biosensors for rapid coagulation testing to guide treatment in thrombotic and haemorrhagic conditions. The company collaborates with NHS trusts and universities to generate clinical evidence, focusing initially on venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk stratification and later on trauma haemorrhage management.