Nexxus Scotland

Our Raison d'Etre

The idea for a network organisation for the life science community in the West of Scotland was first mooted in the late 1990's. Life science, including biotechnology, was becoming an increasingly dynamic and successful sector, and the economic benefits of commercialising world class research were being recognised.

The West of Scotland was already home to many outstanding scientific researchers and a cluster of successful companies.   A survey conducted to establish what industry, academia and the NHS needed to support the growth of the life science cluster in the area however, highlighted various issues:

• Although people had contact with fellow experts in their own particular fields from around the globe, frequently they were unaware of complementary expertise on their doorstep. There was a desire, therefore, to increase their knowledge of local expertise, in order to encourage collaborations between different academic groups and local companies.
• World class research was being conducted in the West of Scotland, and the capabilities of its academic centres and companies were acknowledged by collaborators around the world. However this expertise was not recognised at home.
• Whilst local universities were producing plenty of life science graduates, there was a need to increase the ability to attract experienced staff, both in companies and academic institutes.

It was clear there was a compelling need to generate increased connectivity by building a strong, inclusive community, and a desire to raise the profile of life science in the West of Scotland.  A Steering Group was brought together therefore, consisting of representatives from industry, universities, further education colleges, local economic development organisations, support organisations and the NHS, in order to discuss the community's requirements and to develop a blueprint for an organisation that could fulfil these needs.   The aim was not to duplicate the efforts of existing groups but to supplement their activities and work with them whilst also providing local support and local networking. Further, it was deemed vital that the interests of the life science community as a whole should be represented, and not be skewed by any one sector.   With this in mind, Nexxus was created, with two core strategic objectives:

• to facilitate communication, knowledge sharing and collaboration between organisations involved in life science and related activities in the West of Scotland.
• to raise the profile locally and nationally of the West of Scotland as a life science centre of excellence

"Nexxus" was chosen to reflect the key role of the organisation ie to be the hub of a connected group (Nexus definitions: 1. providing a means of connection; 2. a connected series or group; 3. the core or centre). The use of a double XX symbolises the double helix.

Initial funding was secured from Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, the University of Glasgow and Glasgow City Council, with match funding from the European Union (ERDF).  Additional funding was subsequently provided by Caledonian, Paisley (now University of the West of Scotland) and Strathclyde Universities; East Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire Councils and NHS Greater Glasgow, thereby reflecting Nexxus's success in engaging with the entire life science community in the West of Scotland.

The Steering Group planned a range of activities in order to achieve the core objectives, and in April 2003 a pre-launch meeting was held with a large cross-section of the life science community in order to outline the concept of Nexxus and to gain their support. The first Manager was appointed in the summer of 2003, and Nexxus was officially launched at the Glasgow Science Centre in September 2003.