More than 200 new jobs will be created as part of a plan to expand research laboratory facilites at the site of East Lothian's second biggest employer.
Charles River Laboratories have been given the go ahead to expand the research and development buildings at their Elphinstone operation.
The move will, the company say, create 202 fully qualified jobs equating to a 17 per cent rise in its local workforce.
And it says it will increase capacity for all the work it does including the safety and efficacy testing of vaccines, including Covid-19 vaccines.
Geoff Burns, General Manager, Charles River Edinburgh said plans were in place to open the new expansion later this year.
He said: "We are very much looking forward to opening our brand-new facilities in autumn 2022.
"We are committed to attracting the best and the brightest in the industry, and we believe this latest investment, along with our minimum salary level increase, will help set us apart and cement Charles River Edinburgh as the best place to develop your career in life sciences.
"Moreover, paying the real Living Wage shows our employees that we value their hard work and commitment. This is an exciting time to join Charles River Edinburgh.”
Applying for planning permission for the additional workspace, the firm, which has been operating on the site for more than 30 years, said Life Sciences, in which it works, are hugely important to Scotland's economy.
It pointed out more than 37,000 people work in the sector across some 700 organisations.
And it said currently 1,140 staff work at the Elphinstone site with two-thirds of employees living in the county as well.
It added: "The proposed development will allow for growth of another 202 full time qualified posts, an increase of 17 per cent."
Approving the plans which will see 3,639m2 of additional workspace added including labs, offices and staff facilities, at its Elphinstone Research Centre said there had been no public objections.
An additional 50 car parking spaces will also be created and retrospective planning permission for a footpath which had been added to the site was also approved.
