LifeScan to create global research base in Inverness

LifeScan has announced plans to establish Inverness as a key research and development base via a $15 million (9.53 million pounds) investment.

The project – which is being supported by public investment worth $4.48 million – will see the Scottish city becoming the centre for all of LifeScan's diabetes research in the area of blood glucose monitoring.

It will create new jobs in the region and secure the 1,100 positions that are already in place, thus retaining LifeScan's position as one of the largest private employers in the Highlands and Islands.

It will also support the company's efforts to further its development of advanced diabetes solutions, such as its blood glucose monitoring product OneTouch.

Tito Bacarese-Hamilton, research and development vice-president for blood glucose monitoring at LifeScan, said: "We are enormously grateful for this grant, which builds on the strong partnership that we already have with Highlands and Islands Enterprise."

LifeScan is an affiliate of Johnson and Johnson and distributes many of its products in the UK under NHS prescription.