Ambitious plans to double the turnover of Scotland's life sciences industry to £8bn have been set out.

Leaders of the sector, which develops medicines and devices for improving health for humans, animals and plants, want to capitalise on the success of recent years.

International firms including pharmaceutical companies are keen to expand their presence in Scotland as research projects continue to thrive.

Launching the 2017 Life Sciences Strategy for Scotland on Thursday, industry bosses said they wanted to grow the industrial turnover of the sector to £8 billion by 2025.

According to 2014 figures, the sector employs over 37,000 people across 700 organisations, with company turnover at more than £4.2bn.

Approximately £300m has been invested over the past three years across the sector.

The new strategy was developed by the Life Sciences Scotland Industry Leadership Group (ILG) and others in the industry.

Dave Tudor of GSK, chairman of the ILG, said: "This is an exciting time for life sciences businesses in Scotland. I am delighted with the shape of our refreshed strategy and the strategic themes that have been identified.

"We now need focus and alignment from across the sector as we create the working groups that will plan and coordinate the delivery of this strategy. I look forward to working with everyone to ensure success in the future."

The Life Sciences Scotland ILG is co-chaired by Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Scottish minister for business, innovation and energy, with support from Aileen Campbell MSP, minister for public health and sport.

Mr Wheelhouse said: "These statistics published today show the value of the Life Sciences industry to Scotland, providing employment for over 37,000 people, with company turnover in excess of £4.2bn - up 29 per cent between 2010 and 2014.

"I welcome the publication of this ambitious industry-led strategy for the Life Sciences, which support the aim to increase annual turnover by a further 90% to £8bn by 2025.

"The sector has delivered a strong performance in recent years."

Julia Brown, senior director of healthcare, life and chemical sciences at Scottish Enterprise, said: "I am delighted to see the impressive expansion of the sector over the past few years, which is the result of concerted collaborative efforts from the Scottish life sciences community.

"Scottish Enterprise will continue to work with the Life Science Scotland ILG, industry and all life sciences sector stakeholders to keep the momentum and achieve the ambitious growth targets outlined in this strategy."