
Cutting edge research and innovation in a real-world setting at Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID)
Building new industries for a better Glasgow at GRID.

An inspiring environment for Life Science and Health innovation
Precision medicine at the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District, tailors treatments to individual patients, improving clinical trials, gene therapy, and drug targeting. This innovation relies on collaboration between academia, industry, and healthcare. In Glasgow, a city with a rich industrial history, such partnerships are advancing precision medicine. One significant area is cancer treatment, where personalised approaches are already used for certain cancers like breast cancer, and researchers are exploring targeted treatments for more challenging cancers.

Precision medicine for cancer
Precision medicine has significantly impacted cancer treatment, particularly in breast cancer, where genetic tests identify eligible patients for specific therapies. Researchers are now exploring personalized options for harder-to-treat cancers like pancreatic cancer, which affects 10,000 people annually in the UK. To address this, the Precision-Panc network, launched in 2017, matches pancreatic cancer patients with suitable clinical trials using rapid genomic screening. Led by Glasgow researchers Andrew Biankin, David Chang, and Owen Sansom, the network’s “Glasgow Cancer Tests” are now expanding to other cancers and are available through biomedical research institutes and clinical centers via Agilent.
Close collaboration with academics and healthcare
Moving beyond the traditional, organ-specific medical research, Precision Medicine is interdisciplinary. The Glasgow Cancer Tests, for instance, have been applied to various cancers, not just pancreatic. Collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and the biomedical industry is crucial for advancing this field. Spin-out companies like Causeway Therapeutics, based at Glasgow’s Clinical Innovation Zone, exemplify this collaboration. Causeway is developing TenoMiR, a microRNA-based therapy for tendinopathy, targeting specific genes involved in tendon healing. The Clinical Innovation Zone, part of the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District, fosters innovation by connecting companies with researchers and clinicians in a vibrant ecosystem focused on precision medicine.
Living Laboratory project
In 2020, the Living Laboratory for Precision Medicine received £38 million from the UK government to build infrastructure that fosters collaboration in precision medicine. Integrated within Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, it connects research, healthcare, and industry. The Living Laboratory focuses on practical applications through expert co-development, accelerating innovations to the clinic. One key project, the PHOENIX Trial, explores pharmacogenomics, studying how genetics influence drug response, a vital component of personalized medicine. To support collaboration, the Living Laboratory will soon include the new Health Innovation Hub, accommodating both specialized labs and office spaces for researchers.
Our specialised assets at Glasgow Riverside Innovation District
The Health Innovation Hub is part of the Living Laboratory for Precision Medicine, launched in 2020 through the UK Research and Innovation Strength in Places Fund. The project unites partners to accelerate healthcare innovations in clinical practice, positioning Glasgow as a global leader in precision medicine, improving patient outcomes, and driving economic growth.

Health Innovation Hub
The Health Innovation Hub is a key investment within the University of Glasgow’s Riverside Innovation District (GRID), benefiting from strong research ties to the university and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. It houses the University-led Living Laboratory for Precision Medicine. Focused on translating cutting-edge research into clinical practice, the program aims to foster collaboration between academia, industry, and clinicians to address critical healthcare challenges, benefiting both patients and the NHS on a national and global scale.
- Living Laboratory
- Flexible spaces
- Collaborative community
- Modern facilities
- Accessible floors
- Local benefits
Ready to innovate in Industrial Glasgow?
Call, mail or chat with Katie: +31(0)411 625 625 or k.nelson@kadans.com
Life Science and Health innovation on Glasgow Riverside Innovation District
Precision medicine is a rapidly growing sector but a lot of research and innovation is still needed to make it a routine part of an individualised healthcare practice, essential to the Life Science and Health sector. With close connections to experts in academia, the NHS and industry, the GRID is an ideal place to work on these challenges.
Discover your ideal lab space at Kadans
The Health Innovation Hub offers flexible laboratory and office space for life science and health businesses, with a ground-floor café and collaboration area for the community. It will house a Digital Health Validation Lab to accelerate clinical adoption of digital health technologies. The building features centralised lab gases, waste disposal, and advanced environmental sustainability measures.