What Makes NI Different
Northern Ireland is uniquely placed with market access to the UK and EU markets.
We have an integrated health and social care system, a ‘goldilocks’ population of 1.9 million, two top Universities for bioscience impact, and a host of health and life sciences spin outs. We also have a once in a generation funding pot, in our city and growth deals, for equipment and buildings with a rich pipeline of graduates to fill them.
Transforming Health & Life Sciences in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s Health and Life Sciences sector is undergoing a massive transformation. By accelerating the journey of health innovations from lab to patient, the region is simultaneously boosting its economic and social outcomes.
Our Core Strengths:
- A thriving, globally recognized medtech and biotech sector.
- A uniquely integrated health service.
- A robust and advantageous regulatory position.
Key Strategic Investments & Initiatives
Regulatory & Industry Collaboration
Strengthening Northern Ireland’s global footprint through strategic partnerships.
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- Regulatory Growth: A brand-new MHRA Hub in Belfast directly strengthens the local regulatory ecosystem.
- AstraZeneca Partnership: A landmark MOU investing £1M+ into NI respiratory services, with further projects in development.
- Global Recognition: Local innovations are achieving worldwide success, highlighted by Neurovalens securing US FDA clearance.
£1.8 Billion City and Growth Deal Investments
Fuelling regional innovation hubs through a massive collaborative investment programme.
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- Belfast Region City Deal (£850M): Driving targeted advancements at iREACH Health and the Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology.
- Derry~Londonderry & Strabane (£250M): Funding CADRIC to advance cutting-edge AI, robotics, and clinical data analytics.
- Causeway Coast & Glens Deal: Powering the new Centre for Food and Drug Discovery at Ulster University Coleraine.
Future Medicines Institute (FMI)
Bridging the gap between industry-led translational research and commercial collaboration.
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- Strategic Hub: An industry-led research facility stationed at Queen’s University Belfast.
- Global Alignment: Unites major global life science firms including Almac, Randox, and Diaceutics.
- Track Record: Fully operational since September 2025, actively supporting commercialization and research.
World-Class Clinical Research Facilities
Enabling high-quality trials and rapid innovation through a robust local network.
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- Key Facilities: Anchored by the Wellcome Trust–Wolfson NICRF and C-TRIC in Derry~Londonderry.
- National Integration: Fully integrated into the prestigious UK-wide network of 54 Clinical Research Facilities (CRFs).
Digital Reform & The ENCOMPASS System
Underpinning health system reform through a unified national digital care record.
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- Citizen-Centric Data: Providing a single, centralized digital care record for every single citizen in Northern Ireland.
- System Transformation: Supported by the Department of Health’s Reset Plan to build sustainable, community-centred care.
- Future Funding: Enhanced by a £12.6M VPAG Investment Programme to establish the new Commercial Research Delivery Centre (NI CRDC).
£7.5M Health and Life Sciences Launchpad
Accelerating SME growth through targeted funding and ecosystem development.
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- Proven Impact: Successfully supported over 35 SMEs and 100+ wider ecosystem partners to date.
- The HIRANI Mentoring Programme: Launching June 2026 with Roche sponsorship, building on Launchpad success with over 300 mentoring hours and 90 advisory clinics already delivered.
Global Industry Leadership
Northern Ireland is home to a vibrant ecosystem of 250+ life science companies.
Almac Group
As the UK’s only indigenous pharma manufacturer, Almac Group recently achieved £1.1B in revenue with a global workforce of 7,900. True to the region’s forward-thinking mindset, 100% of their profits are reinvested into long-term growth and expansion.
- Northern Ireland has always had a vibrant health and life sciences sector
- Due to historical reasons gaps appeared in the skill sets needed to commercialise life sciences businesses and we lost some of our best minds
- We are now filling these gaps, creating a nurturing sector and building a permissive, inclusive, co-ordinated ecosystem.
- We are upskilling our graduates and giving them a ‘world view’ in the business of life sciences
- We are connecting our diaspora back into the region
- We are showcasing Northern Ireland
- We are a soft and secure landing environment for investment
- Patients and people who are involved in research and development in healthcare and clinical trials are healthier
- Our health system values the input of industry and industry is mapping a clear pathway into our health system.
- Our institutes that engage in clinical research have more impact, and its good for the economy!
- Northern Ireland is still under explored and ripe for investment in our health and life sciences sector.
- We are educating people across the globe on the benefits of doing work in Northern Ireland
Our digital care record system is now live
encompass is a Health and Social Care programme that has created a single digital care record for every citizen in Northern Ireland who receives health and social care. encompass provides patients and service users with the safest, highest quality of care that is possible.
encompass will be in use across all Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland to create better experiences for patients, service users and staff.
encompass gives patients and service users the ability to view and update their health information online wherever and whenever they like. It also makes it easier for Health and Social Care staff to view important information about their patients and service users both in a clinical setting and while working in the community.
