Spacelabs Healthcare to expand Edinburgh R&D hub with £8.7m investment
Spacelabs Healthcare, the healthcare division of OSI Systems, Inc. solely dedicated to developing patient monitoring and diagnostic cardiology technologies has today announced a significant investment in its Edinburgh R&D operation, supporting the development of next-generation patient monitoring technologies and the creation of 30 new highly skilled roles.
The £8.7 million investment is supported by a £3.1 million grant from Scottish Enterprise. The project will create 30 new R&D roles, taking the company’s Scottish R&D team from 22 to 52 people. The new positions will be focused primarily on software engineering and cybersecurity, strengthening Edinburgh’s role in Spacelabs’ global research and development activity.
The investment will support the development of a next-generation patient monitoring ecosystem designed to connect care across critical care, operating theatres, general wards and hospital-at-home settings. The programme brings together three interrelated areas of development: Rainier Central Station, Rainier Universal Monitor and Nightingale Telemetry.
Together, the technologies aim to replace fragmented legacy systems with a modern, interoperable platform capable of continuous real-time monitoring as patients move through different care settings. The programme is designed to simplify clinical workflows, improve alarm management and support more connected, patient-centred care.
The investment represents a significant vote of confidence in Edinburgh and Scotland's technology and life sciences ecosystem. Spacelabs cites the city's strong pipeline of software engineering and cybersecurity talent, world-class universities and established technology infrastructure among the key factors behind its decision to expand its R&D presence in the city.
The expansion will see Spacelabs increase its Edinburgh footprint by four times, alongside a significant increase in the number of engineers based in the city. The company currently employs 22 people in Edinburgh and plans to create 30 new roles, including highly skilled software development and cybersecurity positions.
Further growth is already being considered, with Spacelabs anticipating the potential to expand its Edinburgh operation by a further 20-30 per cent as the business continues to invest in its global technology capabilities.
Ajay Mehra, CEO, OSI Systems, said: "Edinburgh has been an important part of Spacelabs' story for almost four decades, and this investment marks an exciting new chapter for our business in Scotland.
"Edinburgh is a great place to invest to advance our patient monitoring and diagnostic cardiology technologies. The depth of software engineering, cybersecurity and technology talent available here, alongside the strength of the university pipeline, made the decision to expand in Edinburgh a natural one.
"The Spacelabs team is committed to solving the problems healthcare providers face in delivering exceptional care to their patients. Technology should support clinicians, not complicate their work. We are delighted to be able to grow that work from Edinburgh and create more opportunities for highly skilled people in Scotland."
Spacelabs Healthcare is solely dedicated to developing patient monitoring and diagnostic cardiology technologies and services that empower providers to deliver exceptional care and improve treatment.
The company's Edinburgh team plays an important role in developing new technology for Spacelabs' global business. The expanded operation will further strengthen its research, software engineering and cybersecurity capabilities.
The decision to invest in Edinburgh has also been supported by the company's strong relationships with Scotland's universities. Spacelabs works with Edinburgh Napier University on graduate placements and cybersecurity, while it is also developing closer links with the University of Edinburgh, including an upcoming engagement with students around opportunities for the next summer intake.
Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive, Adrian Gillespie, said: “Scotland has world-class strengths in innovation, R&D and digital technology, underpinned by a highly skilled talent base and leading universities. Spacelabs Healthcare’s decision to expand its Edinburgh operation demonstrates how those strengths are helping ambitious international companies invest, innovate and grow in Scotland.
“This project is a great example of how Scottish Enterprise can back company ambitions to innovate, create high-value jobs and strengthen their global competitiveness. It will also contribute to Scotland’s strong track record of developing innovative healthcare technologies with the potential to make an impact around the world.”
The expansion comes as Scotland continues to strengthen its position as a destination for investment across life sciences, healthcare technology and innovation. Scottish Enterprise identifies medical technologies and diagnostics, digital health and life sciences among key areas of opportunity for Scotland's economy.
For Spacelabs, the Edinburgh expansion is part of a wider programme of investment across its UK operations, with the parent company also investing in sites in Stoke, Salford, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
The company is keen to build on the success of its Edinburgh operation and continue developing the next generation of talent in Scotland. This will create high-value career opportunities while contributing to the city's growing reputation as a global technology hub.