Scotland Highlights New Partnerships and Cutting-Edge Drug Discovery Research

Recent stem cell advances and Sir Philip Cohen's groundbreaking research into
new drug targets showcase Scotland's life sciences innovation at BIO 2009

ATLANTA, May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- At this year's BIO International Convention,
May 18-21 in Atlanta, Scotland will showcase the commercial success of its
research collaborations with global pharmaceutical and biotech companies, as
well as major scientific advancements in stem cells, drug discovery,
translational medicine, medical technology and preclinical and clinical
research.

With representation from more than 30 companies and organizations, including
Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Development International and TalentScotland,
the Scottish Pavilion at BIO will display exceptional collaboration among
industry, academia and government in its life sciences sector. Scotland's
internationally-renowned universities, rich talent base and unprecedented
scientific legacy make it a natural home to one of the largest and fastest
growing life science clusters in Europe, with more than 620 life science
organizations and over 31,000 employees.

At this year's conference, Scotland will present a panel on 'The Ubiquitin
Story,' a look at an exciting new research area in which Scotland has invested
heavily through the $15 million Scottish Institute for Cell Signaling (SCILLS)
and the $14 million ITI Life Sciences Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) drug
discovery program. Participating in the panel session will be University of
Dundee's Sir Philip Cohen, world-renowned biochemist and newly inducted member
of the U.S. National Academy of Science, whose leadership developing protein
kinases as key drug targets has paved the way for several of the leading
oncology therapies available to patients today. Professor Mike Tyers, Director
of the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA), along with
industry experts from around the world, will offer scientific, business and
investment perspective on the potential of this area to become the next
generation of biopharmaceutical drug targets.

"In these challenging times, Scotland's world-class talent, high-tech
infrastructure and commitment to cross-sector collaboration provide a rich and
innovative environment for life science investors," said Rhona Allison, Senior
Director Life Sciences, Scottish Enterprise. "Major capital investments such
as the new Edinburgh BioQuarter and the Scottish Centre for Regenerative
Medicine -- led by Sir Ian Wilmut -- are only a few examples of how Scotland
is helping companies quickly and effectively bring novel technologies and
products to market."

Earlier this year, Scottish companies and organizations achieved stem cell
breakthroughs in synthetic blood and embryonic and iPS (Induced pluripotent
stem cells) technology and began stem cell clinical trials for corneal
blindness and stroke, further reinforcing Scotland's world-leading position in
the use of stem cell-based therapies. At BIO, government-sponsored innovation
fund ITI Life Sciences and stem cell company Cellartis AB will offer insights
into the company's new license to produce large volumes of high-quality,
ethically-derived human embryonic stem cell lines (hES) and expand Scottish
operations. NovaBiotics, one of Scotland's leading biotech companies focused
on the design and development of antifungal and antibacterial therapeutics,
will also be on hand to discuss the development of its lead product
Novexatin(TM), a novel treatment for fungal nail infection.

Scottish Organizations at BIO
Accuro Biologics
Aquapharm Biodiscovery Ltd
AvantiCell Science Ltd
BioFilm Limited
BioOutsource
Biotech Innovation and Future Health Limited
Cellartis AB
ClinTec International Ltd
CXR Biosciences Ltd
Devro Medical Limited
Environmental Hygiene Products Ltd
Equatec
Fulcrum Pharma PLC
GlycoMar Limited
ICON
ITI Life Sciences
Lamellar Biomedical Ltd
Marks & Clarks LLP
Murgitroyd & Company
Nexxus
NovaBiotics Ltd
PsyRING
Scottish Biomedical
Scottish Development International
Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Stem Cell Network
TalentScotland
Tissue Solutions Ltd
University of Dundee - MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit
University of Dundee - Research and Innovation Service
University of Edinburgh - College for Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
University of Edinburgh - MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine
University of Glasgow - Research and Enterprise

For more information on these companies, please visit Scottish Development
International (http://www.sdi.co.uk).

For further information or interviews with representatives from Scottish
Development International, Scottish Enterprise, or Scottish companies
attending the show, please contact Emily Hyman at 617-520-7094 or
ehyman@webershandwick.com.

SOURCE Scottish Enterprise

Emily Hyman for Scottish Enterprise, +1-617-520-7094,
ehyman@webershandwick.com