Our Partnerships
The commitment and support of ITI Life Sciences, the Scottish Executive, Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley, Stirling Council and Stirling University has been vital to the SMI project.
Their enthusiasm and willingness to share the risk of a visionary and innovative initiative was key to bringing the project to Scotland which has a growing reputation as a leading centre of biomedical and cardiovascular research.
ITI Life Sciences
ITI Life Sciences is an organisation driving Scotland's ambitious plans to identify, develop and commercialise valuable technology-based intellectual assets in the life sciences sector. The group's aim is to bridge the increasing funding gap between publicly-funded early-stage research and privately backed commercial development. In return for an investment in the technology of £30 million over three years, ITI Life Sciences receive intellectual property rights which will allow them, in conjunction with other companies, to leverage the technology underpinning SMI's novel diagnostic platform in other areas, such as bio-defence, veterinary care, environmental monitoring and food testing. As part of the arrangement the Inverness Medical group of companies is required to match ITI's £30 million investment in SMI.
For more information, see www.itilifesciences.com
Scottish Executive
Through its international economic development agency, Scottish Development International (SDI) the Scottish Executive approved a Regional Selective Assistance grant to SMI. SDI provides support to many companies to encourage inward investment in Scotland.
Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley
With its head-quarters based in Stirling, SE Forth Valley has provided invaluable support to SMI both during the initial phase of establishment and in ongoing development. They share SMI's commitment to learning and skills development as part of its wider business development remit. They approved training support of £1 million for SMI. SE Forth Valley is the local economic development agency and one of twelve local enterprise companies in the Scottish Enterprise network. For more information, see www.scottish-enterprise.com/forthvalley
Stirling University Innovation Park
One of Europe's most beautiful campuses, Stirling University Innovation Park is where SMI calls home. The Park concept is much more than a dream business setting where management welcomes tenants into a collaborative business community. SMI currently occupies several units on the Park and will eventually operate from a state-of-the-art custom built research and manufacturing facility on campus land purchased from Stirling University.
Stirling Council
The local authority overseeing the administration of Scotland's newest city - but one steeped in history - have supported and welcomed the SMI project since its inception early in 2005. With the potential to create up to 500 high value jobs, SMI is recognised as a significant boost to the local economy, bringing diversity and adding to the city's reputation as an innovative and exciting business development environment. In its capacity as the local planning authority, every assistance has been afforded to SMI in the approval process for the company's planned 100,000 sq ft state-of-the-art facility on the Innovation Park. Visit www.stirling.gov.uk