LifeScan Scotland plans £8.7m investment in Inverness

17th August 2016

LifeScan Scotland is Scotland's largest life sciences company and part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies. It currently employs more than 1100 people in Inverness, developing and manufacturing products for the treatment of diabetes. This ranges from the development of meters and software for people to self-monitor blood glucose levels to the manufacture of test strips that the meters use.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is supporting the company with an investment of £1.85m in the plan, which will support more than 600 jobs associated with the new technologies. The project will boost the company's revenue, strengthen its global position and international market share and enhance the status of the Inverness facility.

Confirming the HIE contribution to the plans, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Derek Mackay, said: "LifeScan is a global leader in diabetes research and a great example of an innovative company that is benefiting from what Scotland has to offer as an attractive location for global life sciences companies.

"The continued investment in Scotland by LifeScan and the contribution from HIE is testament to our thriving life sciences industry and its position as a key growth sector for the Scottish economy and proof of the skill and value of the Scottish workforce."

Andreas Kreitz, Worldwide Director of Diabetes Care Manufacturing at Johnson & Johnson, added: "Our investment plan, and the grant support from HIE, will enable LifeScan Scotland to research and test alternative, more cost-effective materials and production methods that will increase productivity and enable us to serve our global customers better."

Alex Paterson, HIE chief executive, said: “Inverness and its environs has become a centre of excellence for diabetes. LifeScan has been and continues to be at the heart of that. This investment by the company reinforces Inverness's position as a global R&D centre, and will ensure LifeScan technology continues to be at the global forefront of the monitoring and treatment of diabetes.

“I very much welcome its continued commitment to the region and am delighted we are able to support these ambitious plans."

There are more than 70 life sciences organisations operating in the Highlands and Islands. The sector is worth an estimated £131.1 million, supporting nearly 1,800 full time equivalent jobs. Across Scotland the sector turns over £3.1 billion, with around 640 organisations employing more than 32,000 people. It is a key growth sector in the Highlands and Islands and a priority for HIE.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

26/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

September is Scottish Start-Up Month – could your business idea become a reality?

September has become a month when Scotland's aspiring entrepreneurs are being encouraged to take a closer look at an idea that may have been sitting in the back of their minds for some time.   Scottish Start-Up Month, led by Business Gateway, has returned for 2026 with a simple message: if you have an idea for a business, this could be the month to take the first step.  

22/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Scotland and Ireland Strengthen Economic Links Between Gaelic Communities

Scotland and Ireland Strengthen Economic Links Between Gaelic Communities Scotland and Ireland are developing closer links between their Gaelic-speaking communities, with housing, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, tourism and the marine economy among the areas being explored for future cooperation.   The initiative was highlighted during a visit to Skye by Ireland's President Catherine Connolly, who met representatives of Highland organisations including Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Highland Council.  

22/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

AI Support For Businesses In Highland

Businesses and social enterprises across the Highlands and Islands are being supported to explore the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence (AI) through two new support initiatives launched today by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) as part of AI Scotland.   Applications are now open for the new AI Adoption Programme and AI Mentoring Support service, which are designed to help organisations understand, assess and implement AI technologies that can improve productivity, boost innovation and support growth.  

21/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

£1.78m innovation programme to benefit 500 businesses

A new three-year programme (14 September) is expected to help more than 500 businesses and social enterprises across the Highlands and Islands to innovate and grow.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has approved a £1.78m budget to fund the programme, which builds on ten years of innovation support by the agency.  

11/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
HIE appoints new area manager for Caithness and Sutherland

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed Claire Wilson as its new area manager for Caithness and Sutherland.   Claire succeeds Eann Sinclair, who retired after eight years as area manager and more than three decades with HIE.  

8/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Public sector investment supports floating offshore wind foundations development for Highlands

Plans to produce floating offshore wind foundations at Port of Ardersier have taken a step forward with the approval of more than £778,000 in Scottish Government funding.   Approval was given by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) after close collaboration with Scottish Enterprise’s international arm, Scottish Development International (SDI), to secure the project for Scotland.  

1/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Scotland Is Attracting the Investment But Where Is Caithness and Sutherland's Share?

There is an encouraging message in the latest investment figures for Scotland.  There is also a question that should matter particularly to Caithness and Sutherland.  

15/8/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Islands are at the heart of a £100bn pipeline of investment opportunities

Chair of HIE, Angus Campbell, explores how our islands are at the heart of a £100bn pipeline of investment opportunities, helping to drive economic growth, clean energy and community prosperity across the Highlands and Islands.   The Highlands and Islands has long been recognised for outstanding natural assets, entrepreneurial spirit and resilient communities.  

6/8/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Highland Businesses Offered Free Support to Cut Carbon Costs and Prepare for a Low-Carbon Economy

Highland Businesses Offered Free Support to Cut Carbon Costs and Prepare for a Low-Carbon Economy New Climate Springboard programme aims to help SMEs understand emissions, reduce costs and plan for the future Businesses across the Highlands and Islands are being offered free expert support to help them understand their carbon emissions, reduce costs and prepare for the growing demands of a low-carbon economy.   The new Climate Springboard programme, supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses, social enterprises, charities and community organisations take practical steps towards reducing their environmental impact.  

1/8/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Economic Development or Political Numbers Game? How Should We Judge Organisations Like HIE?

Economic development agencies frequently publish impressive statistics: thousands of jobs created, businesses supported and millions of pounds of investment attracted.  But one question is often much harder to answer: how much of that success actually happened because of their intervention? This is one of the biggest challenges facing organisations such as Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Enterprise.