A new strategic partnership has been signed between Roche Diagnostics UK & Ireland, HIRANI, the Department of Health (DoH) NI and the Department for the Economy (DfE) NI.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will strengthen the region’s diagnostic and laboratory pathways and support the transformation of health and social care.
Under the collaboration, the parties will explore how Roche Diagnostics UK & Ireland’s systems, data expertise and specialised healthcare value teams can support earlier, more efficient clinical decision-making and enhance hospital operational efficiency, in line with the priorities of Northern Ireland’s Reset Programme and the newly established Academic, Health and Economic Partnership (AH&EP), which DoH and DfE are jointly leading.
Dr Allan Pamba, General Manager, Roche Diagnostics UK & Ireland, said: ““Innovation is about looking ahead to what patients, and healthcare systems will need next, and turning that ambition into action. This partnership is about continuing to explore how diagnostics can play a greater role earlier in the patient journey, helping people get the right answers sooner and supporting a more sustainable health service.
“Turning innovation into meaningful change takes more than any one organisation – it takes shared ambition, expertise and action. We’re excited to build on the momentum already created in Northern Ireland and work together to deliver practical, lasting improvements for patients and the health service.”
Professor Joann Rhodes, Co-founder and Chief Executive at HIRANI, said: “This collaboration aligns the region’s life and health sciences strengths in biomarker and diagnostic development with Roche Diagnostics UK &Ireland’s deep diagnostics expertise.
“Bringing together these strengths, exemplified through the company’s sponsorship of the HIRANI mentoring network and now aligned with the health service’s need and shared ambition, promises to drive better health outcomes and lasting prosperity for Northern Ireland.”
Key objectives of the partnership include:
- Evolving healthcare models towards a person-centred approach that recognises the full value diagnostics brings to patients, society and a sustainable life sciences industry.
- Improving health outcomes for Northern Ireland citizens through the earlier adoption of diagnostic innovation that improves outcomes and relieves system pressures at scale.
- Supporting economic growth by strengthening Northern Ireland’s life and health sciences ecosystem, in line with the objectives of the AH&EP.
As foundational activity under the MOU, the parties intend to focus initially on strengthening regional access to advanced diagnostic technologies, including exploring expanding point-of-care testing in primary and community care for which Northern Ireland has been selected as one of only two UK early-adopter sites.
Subject to the outcomes of this initial work, the parties may explore extending the collaboration to other diagnostic areas aligned with Northern Ireland’s policy priorities, including cancer, cardiovascular-metabolic conditions and infectious disease.
This strategic MOU underscores Roche’s ongoing commitment to Northern Ireland’s health and social care system, building on its existing role as a trusted Managed Service partner — including its recent award of the Histopathology Managed Service contract — and its sponsorship of the HIRANI mentoring network and annual Health Tech Spring conference.
