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A multi-national medical supply company is expanding into Scotland with a cannabis manufacturing facility in the Borders.

Breathe Life Sciences (BLS) will create 36 jobs when the production and distribution centre opens towards the end of next year – with a three year plan for the workforce to increase to around 100.

The Sydney-based firm already has licensed overseas manufacturing sites in Manchester, Prague, and the Japanese city of Nagoya.

CEO Sam Watson said: “This is a fast-growing industry and coming to Scotland is part of our plans for meeting demand.”

Since medicinal cannabis was legalised by the UK government in 2018, the market has grown to a current annual value of around £250m.

The number of active patients is expected to increase, according to industry research, from 80,000 just now to more than 190,000 by the end of the decade.

It is both the growing market and two locally based directors – Gavin and Andrew Ogilvie from Melrose – that convinced BLS to open a new factory in the central Scottish Borders.

Mr Watson said: “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.”

Cannabis-based medicine is available through the NHS – as well as purchased privately – to help relieve symptoms of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and the side effects of chemotherapy.

Clinical trials are also ongoing to determine how effective it is for chronic pain relief.

BLS plans to use its Scottish base for manufacturing and distributing patient-ready products to meet both the domestic and international markets.

The expansion has been aided by a grant of almost £350,000 – and further loan of £500,000 – from South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE).

Chairman Russel Griggs said: “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.”

Although no cannabis will be grown on site, the manufacturing plant will still require a licence from the Home Office.

While much of the new building has already been fitted out and senior positions have been filled, the expansion plans and facilities will still require rigorous scrutiny before permission is granted.

BLS hopes that wider recruitment will take place after the summer with production starting before the end of the year.

Director Gavin Ogilvie is delighted his company is creating a base in the Borders.

He 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.”