By Fahd Asif, Senior Business Development Manager Invest Northern Ireland
As global healthcare needs evolve, Northern Ireland is rapidly emerging as one of the United Kingdom’s most dynamic and innovative Life and health sciences (LHS) hubs, showcasing extraordinary growth of 75% over the past 3 years. This transformation drives the local economy and addresses some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Driven by a unique ecosystem of academic, industry, and clinical collaboration, the region is setting the pace in fostering state-of-the-art research and rapid product development. Northern Ireland is emerging as a formidable global player in the LHS sector in developing and delivering innovative, unique healthcare solutions.
A Thriving Life and Health Sciences Cluster
Northern Ireland is home to over 250 businesses in the LHS sector, exporting their innovative solutions to more than 140 countries. This vibrant cluster includes internationally recognised investors and home-grown companies, employing over 8,400 people and driving advancements in diagnostics, digital health, wearables, and advanced pharmaceutical delivery systems. At the heart of this innovation are two globally renowned universities, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) and Ulster University (UU), ranked among the top 10 bioscience research institutions in the UK.
The region’s unique blend of academic excellence, industry expertise, and clinical collaboration has accelerated the development of life-saving products. Some companies achieve commercial milestones significantly faster than their international counterparts. The strong integration within this sector fosters an environment where innovative solutions can seamlessly progress from research to market.
World-Leading Research and Breakthroughs
Northern Ireland’s two universities are at the forefront of ground-breaking research, with over 1,000 researchers working across 18 world-leading centres. Both Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University have pioneered advancements in critical health areas such as cancer, heart disease, antimicrobial resistance, and diseases associated with ageing populations.
The region has also become a MedTech powerhouse, producing novel healthcare solutions that transform patient outcomes globally. As part of the UK Life Science Cluster, Northern Ireland is recognised as an emerging cluster and a key player with high-growth opportunities in diagnostics, digital health, and advanced therapeutic technologies.
Companies like Cirdan Ltd. provides pathology informatics and imaging solutions, significantly improving patient care by expediting disease diagnosis in nearly 200 global laboratories.
BioPanda is an ISO13485-certified company specialising in the design and supply of in vitro test kits for clinical laboratories, drug testing, veterinary practice, and food safety worldwide. CIGA Healthcare specialises in Rapid Test Diagnostics, with products sold in over 70 countries. Eakin Healthcare manufactures products for Ostomy, wound, Respiratory, and Surgical therapies, positively impacting around 7.5 million patients globally.
Haemoband Surgical focuses on Colorectal and proctology products, offering comprehensive solutions for haemorrhoids treatment. Intelesens is known for its high-quality defibrillator and ECG electrodes. Neurovalens, based in Belfast, received FDA approvals for its home treatments: Modius Sleep and Modius Stress, and plans to launch in the UAE in early 2025. Randox Toxicology offers advanced drug testing solutions in the Middle East, supporting public health and workplace safety through partnerships and quality services aligned with regional standards.
The Future of Life and Health Sciences in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is dedicated to promoting sustained economic growth through substantial government-led investment initiatives, ‘City and Growth Deals’, strategically focusing on the LHS sector.
The Belfast Region City Deal, valued at over £1 billion, aims to strengthen the LHS sector by promoting investment in research and development and fostering a culture of innovation. The Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology (CDHT) is a key component that will foster an open innovation ecosystem for developing advanced medical technology devices and diagnostics.
Moreover, iREACH Health, the Institute of Research Excellence for Advanced Clinical Healthcare, aims to enhance public health in Northern Ireland by providing a platform for testing new drugs, medical technologies, care pathways, and societal interventions.
The Derry and Strabane City Deal, valued at £250 million, aims to boost economic growth and innovation. Key projects include the School of Medicine, which will address the shortage of medical professionals and improve health services. In addition, the Cognitive Analytics Research Laboratory (CARL) focuses on cutting-edge research in AI, and the Centre for Industrial Digitalisation, Robotics and Automation (CIDRA) supports industries leveraging Fourth Industrial Revolution opportunities.
Conclusion
As the global healthcare ecosystem trends evolve, Northern Ireland’s Life and Health Sciences sector is poised for even greater growth. The region’s strategic focus on MedTech, diagnostics, digital health, and wearable technologies aligns perfectly with the health priorities of the GCC countries and the broader Middle East.
As countries within the GCC focus on enhancing their medical infrastructure by expanding access to quality care, investing in digital health and AI technologies, and addressing chronic disease management, Northern Ireland is well aligned to support this vision of an advanced, patient-centric healthcare system.
This alignment and the region’s proven ability to accelerate product development and commercialisation make Northern Ireland an attractive partner for companies looking to invest in innovative healthcare solutions.
