Showcasing Moredun and Pentlands Science Park at MSZ Business Forum
In the latest of our series of MSZ Business Forums showcasing facilities and expertise in Midlothian Science Zone, attendees were introduced to the history of The Moredun Group and the core facilities and services available within Pentlands Science Park, one of our founding partners.
On Tuesday 13th September, Forum participants enjoyed a working lunch bathed in sunshine on the Moredun boardroom balcony overlooking the well-manicured grounds of Pentlands Science Park.
This was followed by a selection of informative presentations by senior representatives of The Moredun Group - Richard Mole (Business Development Manager, Moredun Group), Stephen Anderson (Head of Bioservices) and Rhona Macdonald (Head of Marketing, Moredun Scientific), and by Jill Gayford (Park Manager, Pentlands Science Park).
The Moredun Foundation is a registered charity supporting livestock health and welfare through research and education, and is built on a strong farming ethos. Formed by farmers for farmers over 100 years ago, it retains strong connections with the farming community, governed by farmers, and active in knowledge exchange to ensure that research remains rooted in the current needs of livestock farming.
The Foundation is dedicated to improving the understanding, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases by developing a variety of outreach programmes for farmers, vets and the general public; and supporting a broad and varied range of research initiatives within the Moredun Research Institute.
Working closely with farmers and vets, Moredun Research Institute strives to improve livestock health and support sustainable agriculture through the development of diagnostic tests and the creation of novel vaccines to combat infectious disease. Moredun’s science leads on livestock health and also helps find solutions to other major challenges such as global food security.
Moredun has extensive Home Office Licensed laboratory and animal facilities which underpin research. These laboratories are equipped to handle a broad range of livestock pathogens including bacteria, viruses and parasites, supported by over 170 staff from many disciplines across both animal and lab work.
Moredun offers flexible farm animal accommodation and Bioservices facilities, up to Containment Level 3, providing optimal controlled environmental conditions for large and small animal species to facilitate research on specified pathogens. The Bioservices team includes vets and animal technicians to facilitate and support the research.
Moredun Scientific is a Contract Research Organisation conducting research and testing for the Animal Health, Aquaculture and Biopharmaceutical industries, all studies are supported by an independent Quality Assurance team.
Their animal health portfolio of services includes efficacy studies with a broad range of disease models across all livestock species. Aquaculture studies focus on salmon, trout and shrimp. Biosafety services include GMP compliant Microbiology tests and regulatory compliant in vivo studies.
As well as being home to the Moredun Group, Pentlands Science Park accommodates over 20 businesses, the majority of which work in the animal science sector, offering excellent opportunities to collaborate with the animal health and biotechnology sectors. In addition to extensive lab and associated service facilities, Pentlands Science Park provide added value with management and engineering services, IT assistance, stores and waste management streams in an attractive green environment.
If you missed this MSZ Business Forum and are interested in finding out more about the research, expertise and services that were showcased, including presentation slides and contact details, please email Emma McCallum, MSZ Project Coordinator.
The purpose of MSZ Business Forum is to create an opportunity for discussion, collaboration and awareness of other businesses 'in the zone'. The next event will be held in November 2022, and details of host and theme will be announced soon - as always there will be time for networking.
To be kept informed of forthcoming events or opportunities for collaboration, please contact Emma McCallum, Project Coordinator.