Date Created: 07 June 2011
Scottish life sciences companies are set to discover a range of new business opportunites after the merger of two leading industry bodies.
The Scottish Bioinformatics Forum (SBF) and Nexxus are to join forces in recognition of their shared aim of promoting bioinformatics and the life sciences sector in Scotland.
SBF was created in 2001 with the aim of ensuring Scotland's position as a leading location for bioinformatics research and commercialisation. Nexxus, established in 2003, offers life scientists networking opportunities and shares many of SBF's aims.
Nexxus will take over the running of SBF from the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Chris Janssen of SBF said:
"As a well established and well supported network, we were keen to find a safe pair of hands to take over SBF's running on a day to day basis and to continue representation of our 500 members.
"In a nutshell, we needed an organisation that already successfully engaged with life science academics and industry across Scotland and whose mission - to promote and support Scotland's expertise and capabilities - mirrored ours.
"Nexxus is the ideal candidate to ensure continuity in provision of the type of services and level of responsiveness and assistance which our members have come to expect."
Graeme Boyle of Nexxus said:
"We are delighted to welcome SBF's members - some of whom already engage with us - to our wider network.
"Bioinformatics is a vital component of Scotland's wide and varied life science offering and Nexxus looks forward to having a more active involvement in continuing to build upon this recognised strength.
"The joining of the two memberships can only benefit and strengthen both groups by providing access to wider contacts and enhanced opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange."
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