Our Partners
Midlothian Science Zone is funded and supported by Partners - science parks, research institutes and associated businesses and organisations - located within the region.
These Partners each have a senior representative on a Steering Group which meets regularly and provides regular input and guidance to the Midlothian Science Project Co-ordinator and Digital Manager.
Local Government
Midlothian Council can provide businesses in Midlothian with access to a wide range of information and contacts for additional support.
The Economic Development team is dedicated to the growth and development of the region and local businesses. They have been an active and supporting Partner of Midlothian Science Zone since 2016.
“Whatever the stage your business is at, support is available to help you.”
Business Gateway Midlothian is your local point of access to the wider, national business support eco-system.
If you're looking to start a new business venture, grow an existing company, the team has expertise and experience of running and supporting businesses from initial concept to starting-up and growth, and provides access to business tools, support and information.
Meet an Adviser for a confidential, informal chat each Thursday at Edinburgh College's Midlothian Campus.
“We regularly run in person and virtual events, offering support and networking opportunities for local businesses. I’m also a regular attendee at Midlothian Science Zone Business Forum which is an excellent opportunity to engage with businesses and entrepreneurs ‘in the zone’.”
Science Parks and Incubators
Pentlands Science Park is a thriving scientific community providing an ideal location for research and commercial groups. Home to the world-leading Moredun Research Institute, leaders in animal health and independently ranked as one of the top ten animal research institutes worldwide.
Pentlands Science Park is a founding Partner and active supporter of Midlothian Science Zone.
“At the leading edge of the flourishing life sciences community, Pentlands Science Park is a proud partner of the Midlothian Science Zone.”
Roslin Innovation Centre is located at the heart of the University of Edinburgh’s Easter Bush Campus, and provides a thriving ecosystem for innovation, focussed on supporting entrepreneurship, growth and commercialisation opportunities.
Roslin Innovation Centre has been a supporting Partner since 2017 and provides the Midlothian Science Zone team with hot-desk space.
“Midlothian Science Zone offers a dynamic working environment with access to a supportive, collaborative community which is essential to foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem and economic growth and commercialisation opportunities ‘in the zone’ and beyond.”
Pioneer's Edinburgh Technopole is a community of thriving companies at all stages of growth and development, with buildings designed with flexibility in mind, offering a range of space options to accommodate office, laboratory and small-scale manufacturing requirements.
Edinburgh Technopole is a founding and committed Partner to Midlothian Science Zone and the team make regular use of the meeting space in Bush House - and The Kitchen cafe, ideal for informal catch ups.
“Midlothian Science Zone is a real international asset and a highly concentrated life science cluster, nestled neatly below the Pentlands and falling within Scotland’s smallest local Council in Midlothian.
As a one health, one location destination, MSZ is a truly collegiate and collaborative place, working together for the benefit of all occupiers ‘in the zone’.”
BioCampus provides an integrated environment that is fully equipped for advanced cGMP bio-manufacturing with easy access to University departments and institutes involved in ground breaking biotechnology related research and development across Scotland.
Scottish Enterprise engage regularly with Midlothian Science Zone, as an environment for entrepreneurs, and also attend UKSPA meetings with the Scottish chapter.
“Scotland has a thriving bio manufacturing community and BioCampus in Midlothian is within an area which boasts one of the most highly successful animal health and life science clusters in Europe, accommodating some of the world’s leading scientists and research organisations in this field.”
Research Institutes and Organisations
The Moredun Research Institute has established a global reputation for the high quality of its scientific research to improve farm animal health and welfare, through the prevention and control of infectious diseases of livestock. This has led to the development of many vaccines, diagnostic tests and improved treatment strategies for farm animals across the globe.
Moredun is a founding Partner and energetic supporter of Midlothian Science Zone and disseminates it's knowledge, skills and expertise as widely as possible including public engagement in the BioBus!
“Moredun recognises the importance of collaboration in order to encourage innovative science and interdisciplinary approaches and supports the unique alliance offered by Midlothian Science Zone. ”
The Roslin Institute is a world-leading institute for animal science research and offers unique expertise and infrastructure to conduct pioneering animal biosciences. It aims to achieve sustainable agriculture, control diseases and enhance health through pioneering animal bioscience.
Base on Easter Bush Campus, the Roslin Institute is an interdisciplinary hub of expertise, with over 800 staff in diverse and complementary roles in the heart of Midlothian Science Zone and provides research access to a range of core facilities.
“The Roslin Institute aims to enhance the lives of animals and humans through world class research in animal biology. Progress requires a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach and working with the expertise there is in Midlothian Science Zone and further afield, we continue to make discoveries to understand and improve animal health, welfare and productivity – and contribute to a sustainable animal agriculture future.”
Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) has a variety of research sites in Scotland including Midlothian Science Zone with Veterinary Services on Pentlands Science Park, SAC Consulting at Edinburgh Technopole and the Research Division on Easter Bush Campus and at Easter Howgate farm.
SRUC has a refreshed vision and mission which includes a commitment to focus on the natural economy – spanning both rural and urban activity – and to partner locally and globally to benefit Scotland’s natural economy.
“SRUC is one of the UK’s leading institutions specialising in the land-based sector at the heart of the natural economy. We have delivered national and international impact for more than 50 years through our unique network of Veterinary Services across the UK, supported by a state-of-the-art laboratory at Pentlands Science Park in Midlothian Science Zone.”
EPP Ltd is a GLP contract research organisation (CRO), supporting agrochemical and biocidal products, human and animal pharmaceutical and industrial chemical sectors with bespoke facilities within the company's Environmental Centre on Bush Estate.
Stephen Newlands, founded EPP Ltd in 1992 and was a frequent attendee and contributor at Midlothian Science Zone meetings and events until his retirement in July 2022. We welcome the continued support from Jennyfer Stuart, appointed Managing Director in 2023.
“EPP is based in the company’s own dedicated research centre, situated on a three-acre site within the prestigious and beautiful Bush Estate in Midlothian Science Zone.”
The UK Agri-Tech Centre focus on the delivery of research and development, demonstration and training on precision agriculture and engineering for the livestock, arable, horticulture and aquaculture sectors. The Northern Agri-Tech Innovation Hub on the University of Edinburgh's Easter Bush Campus houses laboratories, a full-time in-house technician, meeting and presentation space.
The Northern Hub is an associate Partner with Midlothian Science Zone which provides us with membership access to networking and events.
“Being so well-connected with the ecosystem and supply chain, the UK Agri-Tech Centre has the opportunity to connect people, develop collaborative solutions to solve industry problems, and promote the adoption of these solutions both in the UK and internationally. At the Northern Hub, we have many synergies with Midlothian Science Zone, particularly in communications and engagement.”
Academic Hubs
The University of Edinburgh's Easter Bush Campus, in Midlothian Science Zone, is a world-leading research, work and study environment. At the heart of a growing cluster of bioscience organisations, the Campus acts as a hub of activity bringing together partners and other stakeholders within the region and beyond.
It accommodates a powerful alliance of basic research, applied research and clinical veterinary expertise and forms one of the largest groups focussed on the biology of companion and production animals in the world.
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is one of the oldest veterinary school's in the world, founded in 1823 by William Dick. Commonly referred to as the Dick Vet, it is the veterinary school of the University of Edinburgh and part of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.
Research at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, on Easter Bush Campus, spans all aspects of veterinary medicine, from molecules and genes through to animal and human populations.
Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) is Scotland's specialist higher education institution for courses that relate to the existing and emerging land-based industries and pursuits, applied food, plant and animal sciences and sustainable land-use.
SRUC offers unique opportunities for postgraduate study. Our unbeatable links with industry, along with our own highly-respected consultancy and research divisions, gives us knowledge, expertise and facilities befitting a national institution.
Industry Stakeholders
The United Kingdom Science Park Association (UKSPA) represents, promotes and supports a diverse network of members that includes science parks, research campuses, city-based innovation districts, technology incubators and innovation centres across the UK (and beyond). These members operate in different areas, with different funding and investment profiles but together deliver enormous added value to companies that occupy space or participate in member activities.
Through a programme of sharing good practice, networking, communication, research, promotion and advocacy UKSPA membership helps to sustain and develop this vital economic sector.
Midlothian Science Zone is a Premier Partner of Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce (MELCC), the region's leading independent business support and networking organisation.
MELCC helps members save time and money, gain business knowledge and expertise and provides introductions to potential customers and suppliers - representing SMEs and larger corporate organisations.
The Chamber can support every stage of a business – start-up, established, expanding or high growth.
The Life Sciences sector in Scotland is defined as a priority sector of economic significance by the Scottish Government and is, therefore, fast becoming one of the most effective places to develop innovations and commercial enterprises.
The Life Sciences Industry Leadership Group works in partnership with Scottish Government, academia and health professionals to create an ecosystem where scientific endeavour leads to economic growth across the Life Sciences spectrum, producing more companies of scale with international growth potential.