Hoosier, Scottish Organizations Sign Life Sciences MOU

IHIF CEO Kristin Jones is pictured on the left with SLA CEO Scott Johnstone.

The Indiana Health Industry Forum has announced an international partnership. The organization has inked a Memorandum of Understanding with its counterpart in Scotland, the Scottish Lifesciences Association, which will involve sharing member benefits.

IHIF says Scotland’s life sciences cluster is similar to Indiana’s. It considers the European Union nation a "key international partner." IHIF Chief Executive Officer Kristin Jones says "the partnership with SLA is a further expansion of our international network and will give our members strategic access to UK and European markets at a time of dynamic change. We also look forward to working with members of SLA as they build their business networks and explore opportunities in the U.S."

The groups are both members of an innovation network known as the Turnpike Partnership. Jones formalized the partnership with SLA CEO Scott Johnstone during an industry gathering associated with Kentucky Derby week in Louisville. Johnstone says "IHIF and SLA intend to represent the USA and EU to each other as practical for the mutual benefit of our organizations and our member companies. Through this relationship, we intend to increase the visibility, sales, investment, regulation, and innovation prospects for our member companies."

The SLA’s reach includes 135 member companies and organizations.