Three new life sciences companies have moved into Edinburgh's dedicated research centre, the First Minister announced.
The firms bring the total number of companies based at Edinburgh BioQuarter, near the city's Royal Infirmary, to 10.
The three new specialist research companies are Science Squared, R-Biomedical and Marks and Clerks.
Alex Salmond described the news as "a significant boost for a sector that is growing jobs and economic opportunities in Scotland", and cited it as further proof of "Scotland's growing reputation for excellence in life sciences".
Mr Salmond visited the BioQuarter on Tuesday, meeting with representatives of three existing companies - Roslin Cells, i2eye Diagnostics and TPP - and Swedish company Molnlycke, which is expanding after being on-site for six months.
"These three businesses represent a growing trend for life sciences companies to locate/set up in Scotland," he said. "Science Squared, R-Biomedical and Marks and Clerks are at the cutting edge of an industry where Scotland excels internationally, and where our academics work with business to maximise the commercial and medical possibilities from research."
He added: "Their opening at BioQuarter increases the concentration of life sciences companies at Edinburgh's centre of excellence, and it represents a significant boost for a sector that is growing jobs and economic opportunities in Scotland."
Science Squared provides online tools that improve communication both within the scientific community and between the scientific community and the public; R Biomedical specialises in research, development and commercialisation of regenerative medicine; while Marks and Clerks is one of the leading patent and trade mark attorney firms in the UK.
Dr Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: "Scotland's life sciences industry already contributes more than £3 billion a year to the Scottish economy with over 650 organisations employing in excess of 32,000 people, and we need to look at how we continue to build on its success."
Mr Salmond's visit is part of a week of showcasing Scottish scientific excellence, which will also see the official launch of a Higgs Prize for school physics students and the appointment of 33 new health research fellows.
