Breathe Life Sciences (BLS), an Australian-headquartered medical supply company, has announced a significant investment in the Scottish Borders with the creation of a new medicinal cannabis production and distribution facility. The move, expected to bring around 100 new jobs to the region by 2029, marks a major milestone for both the company and Scotland’s burgeoning life sciences sector, according to multiple reports, including BBC Scotland News and Midlothian View.
The new facility, whose precise location in the Central Borders remains under wraps, is scheduled to open late next year. An initial recruitment drive is set to begin after the summer of 2026, with 36 jobs available at launch. Over the next three years, BLS’s business plan projects the workforce will grow to around 100 full-time staff, providing a much-needed boost to the local economy and supporting Scotland’s ambitions to become a hub for life sciences innovation.
Although BLS is based in Sydney, Australia, the company already has a footprint in Europe and Asia, with manufacturing sites in Manchester, Prague, Nagoya, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. The new Scottish Borders factory represents BLS’s first Scottish venture, expanding their reach in the UK and tapping into one of the continent’s fastest-growing markets for medicinal cannabis.
Medicinal cannabis has been legal in the UK since 2018, a decision that sparked rapid growth in the sector. According to BBC Scotland News, the UK’s medicinal cannabis market is now valued at approximately £250 million annually. The industry’s expansion has been driven by both public sentiment and increasing demand for rigorously tested, quality-assured, and affordable cannabis-based medicines.
Chief executive Sam Watson told the BBC, “This is a fast-growing industry and coming to Scotland is part of our plans for meeting demand.” He added, “In the whole of the European market, the UK is the quickest growing area. There are very few manufacturers of these products in the UK – most are imported – so we will be building a Scottish pharmaceutical manufacturing infrastructure to satisfy that market. Public sentiment was at the forefront of the legalisation of medicinal cannabis, which is rigorously tested, quality-assured, more affordable, and of course fully legal.”
The new Borders facility will focus exclusively on the manufacturing and distribution of medicinal cannabis products, rather than cultivation. This means that while no cannabis plants will be grown on site, BLS will still require a license from the Home Office to operate. The company plans to use the Scottish base to supply both domestic and international markets with patient-ready products, further cementing Scotland’s status as a player in the global medicinal cannabis industry.
Medicinal cannabis is available both privately and through NHS prescriptions in the UK, with particular use in treating symptoms of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and side effects from chemotherapy. Clinical trials are also underway to determine its effectiveness for chronic pain relief, a development that could expand the market even further in the coming years.
The expansion into Scotland has been made possible in part by substantial public sector support. The South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) provided BLS with a grant of nearly £350,000, along with a further loan of £500,000. SOSE chairman Russel Griggs expressed enthusiasm for the project, noting, “With a surge in the number of life sciences companies wanting to come to our region, the south is quickly positioning itself as a hub for innovation and growth in the emerging medicinal cannabis industry. BLS will bring further investment and skilled jobs, and are the latest company to recognise that the south of Scotland is a fantastic place to do innovative business.”
For Gavin Ogilvie, a director of BLS who grew up in the Borders, the decision to establish the company’s UK manufacturing base in his home region was a personal one. Speaking to Midlothian View, Ogilvie said, “This is where I grew up and when we discussed setting up the new manufacturing base in the UK, it was important for me to drive the direction towards the Borders. We will offer highly skilled pharmaceutical jobs – both at entry level and for people with experience. We are indebted to both South of Scotland Enterprise and Scottish Borders Council for helping to make this happen.”
The new factory’s focus on manufacturing and distribution, rather than cultivation, reflects both regulatory realities and market needs. While the UK legalized medicinal cannabis in 2018, strict controls remain in place regarding cultivation and supply. Most of the medicinal cannabis used in the UK is currently imported, a fact that BLS aims to change by establishing a local manufacturing infrastructure. This could potentially reduce costs for patients and healthcare providers, improve supply chain resilience, and enhance quality control.
BLS’s arrival in Scotland is seen as part of a broader trend, with the south of Scotland increasingly attracting life sciences companies. The region’s skilled workforce, supportive public agencies, and proximity to major transport links make it an appealing location for companies in emerging sectors. The presence of BLS could also act as a catalyst for further investment and innovation, encouraging other firms to establish operations in the area.
Looking ahead, the opening of the Borders facility represents an important step in BLS’s global expansion strategy. The company’s existing sites in Manchester, Switzerland, Japan, and the Czech Republic have positioned it as a player in the international medicinal cannabis market. By adding a Scottish base, BLS is poised to take advantage of the UK’s rapid market growth and changing public attitudes toward plant-based wellness products.
Medicinal cannabis continues to be a topic of debate and research in the UK and beyond. While its use for specific conditions such as multiple sclerosis and epilepsy is now widely accepted, ongoing clinical trials are exploring its potential for a broader range of health issues, including chronic pain. The outcomes of these studies could shape the future of the industry and the role of companies like BLS in meeting patient needs.
For the Scottish Borders, the arrival of BLS is more than just a business story. It’s a sign of the region’s growing prominence in life sciences and a tangible example of how public and private sector collaboration can drive economic development. As recruitment begins and the new facility takes shape, local residents and policymakers alike will be watching closely to see how this investment transforms the area’s economic landscape and supports the health of patients across the UK and beyond.
With a clear business plan, strong local ties, and significant public support, Breathe Life Sciences’ move into Scotland is set to make waves in the medicinal cannabis sector and the wider pharmaceutical industry.
