Collaborating Across the Triple Helix: Empowering Scotland’s Life Sciences Future

Scotland: A Hub for Global Clinical Research and Innovation

As a leading global provider of clinical research services, commercial insights and healthcare intelligence to the life sciences and healthcare industries, IQVIA stands at the forefront of data science worldwide, driving breakthroughs that transform patient care and accelerate innovation. As the largest life sciences employer in Scotland, IQVIA is harnessing Scotland’s rich talent pool and advanced research infrastructure to fuel growth and shape the future of healthcare.

Our state-of-the-art laboratory in Livingston plays a pivotal role in global clinical trials with bio samples from studies across Europe and remote research sites arriving for analysis daily. With unmatched speed and precision, the IQVIA team in Livingston process over 6 million lab tests annually, delivering critical results—often within 24 hours for cancer trials—to researchers who depend on timely insights to advance life-saving therapies.

By combining world-class data science with cutting-edge laboratory capabilities, IQVIA is not just supporting research; but accelerating it. Our commitment to Scotland underscores a broader mission: to drive innovation, empower clinical breakthroughs, and improve health outcomes worldwide.

Strategy, Innovation, and Impact

Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak opened the discussion by emphasising the strategic importance of collaborative research and innovation. “Strategy is hugely important for us,” she noted, highlighting the role of initiatives such as Scotland’s CardioMetabolic Impact Study (ScoMIS); a landmark study looking at the real-world impact of weight-loss medicines, tackling obesity to help millions live longer healthier lives and reduce the pressure on our health services. Unlike traditional clinical trials, these real-world observational studies are “as important as clinical trials, because they will tell us how to deliver this revolutionary treatment to the general population, to people who really need it for preventative interventions, Professor Dame Anna described.

She underscored the broad impact: “delivery effectiveness, system impact, and importantly, economic, fiscal, and social outcomes. The NHS will save, there will be more people who can go to work and produce good economic outcomes.” The ambition is clear—designing studies that answer critical questions and scaling transformative innovations across all 14 health boards, ensuring “no one is left behind” with an ambition of at least 90% of patients benefitting.

A standout example is the Accelerated National Innovation Adoption (ANIA) pathway; an initiative to rapidly implement proven, high-impact innovations across the nation. “We’ve never before seen chronic disease that can be reversed in my entire life as a doctor,” Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak reflected, pointing to the programme’s potential to provide a curative solution to patients suffering from Type 2 Diabetes through tackling obesity as the root cause.

Scotland’s Unique Strengths: Data, Collaboration, and Global Recognition

Panellists repeatedly highlighted Scotland’s world-class data infrastructure with the country being recognised as “an ideal place” for groundbreaking studies, such as the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study (WOSCOPS), the Accelerated National Innovation Adoption and the Scotland CardioMetabolic Impact Study, citing its unique community health index (CHI) number and the NHS Research Data Safe Havens; a uniquely rich and collaborative programme. This reputation is attracting inward investment from large global pharmaceutical companies and positions Scotland as a leader in life sciences innovation.

Digital Health and Data: Driving Transformative Change

Dr Lyons described her journey across the triple helix and her current role at the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre (DHI) with its mission to “pull together leaders from across the triple helix to drive transformative collaborations in innovation,” helping innovators understand and address complex customer needs in health and social care.

Dr Lyons spotlighted the AIM4ALL programme, which uses digital health approaches to gather phase 4 clinical data, addressing the challenge of low-volume, high-cost treatments like CAR-T therapies. “It’s about demonstrating by example,” she explained, showing how robust data can inform financial models and support value-based healthcare.

She also discussed the revision of the Industry Leadership Group; Digital and Data subgroup (ILG-DD) Action Plan, emphasising the need for a shared language around healthcare data and clearer communication to support SMEs navigating Scotland’s rich but complex innovation ecosystem.

Advanced Therapies: Scotland as a Global Leader

Jacqueline Barry outlined Scotland’s emergence as a “go-to place for ATMP and research,” supported by the Advanced Therapy Treatment Centre (ATTC) Network and strong pharmaceutical services. “We have all of the trusts involved, working with industry, academia, and the NHS to accelerate the uptake of these products into the NHS.”

Jacqueline highlighted the economic and societal benefits of advanced therapies, noting that while costly, they “can save money and flip money back into the economy because people either get better and go back into their jobs, or parents stop having to look after very sick children and can go back to work.”

Fostering Collaboration and Scaling Innovation

The panel’s Q&A surfaced critical gaps—such as the shortage of flexible, scalable lab and manufacturing space—and the need for more collaboration between academia, NHS, and industry. “Bringing people together, making sure there are possibilities of collaboration and the ability to talk with government and policymakers about their strengths,” Barry urged.

Dr Lyons added that supporting SMEs requires simplifying the innovation support ecosystem and convening partners across the triple helix, citing recent successful collaborations as models for future growth.

The Road Ahead: Narrative, Prevention, and Public Health

The discussion closed with a call to “flip the narrative” from “we can’t afford to give these drugs to the populations that need them most” to “how can we afford not to invest in innovation at scale?” The panellists agreed that Scotland’s strengths in data, collaboration, and innovation position it to lead in preventative health, advanced therapies, and inclusive growth.

Conclusion:

Scotland’s life sciences sector is empowered by its triple helix model, world-class data, and a culture of collaboration and inclusivity. By addressing strategic challenges and scaling innovation, Scotland is not only improving health outcomes but also driving economic and social progress—setting a benchmark for others to follow.