Cardiovascular medicine

The biomedical community in Scotland has a long-standing record of excellence in cardiovascular research and drug development.

Many Scottish clinicians have made a significant worldwide impact on the development of medical practice, and four Scottish universities have specialised cardiovascular units within their partnering hospitals.

Scotland can offer world-class cardiovascular research and development expertise and facilities, first-class contract research services and specialist manufacturing capabilities.

Cardiovascular research excellence in Scotland

Five Scottish universities and research institutions are active in cardiovascular research. Three departments have a 5 or 5-star Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) rating: 

• University of Dundee’s clinical lab science and clinical cancer studies 
• University of Edinburgh’s hospital based clinical subjects and hospital based cancer studies 
• University of Glasgow’s clinical lab science and hospital based clinical subjects

The British Heart Foundation currently funds 18 project grants, totalling £2.23 million, at Scottish universities. Key research personnel working to discover and develop cardiovascular drugs include: 

• Dr Gillian A Gray – University of Edinburgh
• Professor Stuart Malcolm Cobbe – University of Glasgow
• Professor Keith AA Fox – University of Edinburgh
• Professor Anna F Dominiczak – University of Glasgow
• Professor David J Wheatley – University of Glasgow
• Professor L Megson – University of the Highlands and Islands
• Professor Jim Shepherd – University of Glasgow

Cardiovascular research groups and companies in Scotland

Cardiovascular drug research and development is set to grow faster than any other therapeutic area in the future.

Scotland’s existing research in this field means it’s well positioned to capitalise on this growth, supported, in particular, by a favourable regulatory environment, expertise in convergent areas and a first-rate life sciences infrastructure.

Universities and research institutions in Scotland involved in cardiovascular research: 

• Wellcome Trust Cardiovascular Research Initiative, University of Edinburgh 
• Faculty of Biomedical & Life Sciences (FBLS), University of Glasgow 
• Institute of Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences (ICAMS), University of Glasgow
• Vascular Biochemistry, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and University of Glasgow 
• Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, University of Dundee 
• The Institute for Cardiovascular Research, University of Dundee
• The Cardiology Research Group Department of Clinical Cardiology, University of Aberdeen  
• The School of Pharmacy, University of Strathclyde
• Department of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Science, University of the Highlands and Islands

Discover how we can help your company benefit from pioneering cardiovascular work in Scotland