LONDON, May 13 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
Northern Ireland'srapidlygrowing life sciences industry is set tobenefitfrom closer collaboration with the UK regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products RegulatoryAgency(MHRA), it was announced today(13May 2026).
The MHRA isestablishinga hub in Northern Ireland, hosted byInvestNorthernIreland.This builds onthe MHRA'sestablished partnershipswithhealthcare,academiaandindustryandensuresits workis even more strongly linked tothe whole of the UK.
Northern Ireland is home to around 250 businesses in the life sciences sector, supporting 18,000 jobs and contributing £1.1 billion to the local economy.
InvestNIwillhosttheMHRAatits officesin centralBelfast.Local stakeholdersworking within the healthcare,healthand life sciences sectorsacross Northern Irelandwillbe abletobookperiodic,in-personsurgery sessionswith MHRAtechnicalexpertsto discuss topics such as innovation pathways, clinical investigationsand be signposted tofurtherregulatorysupportavailablefrom theMHRA throughout the product development pipeline.This direct accesswill support clinical research andthe development of new therapies getting potentially life-saving medicinesand medical technologiesto patientsmorequickly.
TheMHRArecently launched a series of stakeholderliaisoneventsat theHIRANIHealth Tech Spring Conferenceheld inBelfastin April 2026. The firsteventshowcasedhow the MHRAsupportsinnovation and clinical investigationsacrossthe UK.Futureeventswillbefocused on topics of interest to the sector inNorthern Irelanddesigned to build closer connections with local organisations.
The MHRA'spresencein theNorthernIrelandbuilds oncommitments madefollowingthe MHRA BoardmeetingheldinBelfast in November 2025, co-chaired by MHRA Chair Professor Anthony Harnden and Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Northern Ireland, Professor Cathy Harrison.
As a result, work has already begun expanding the use of the MHRA Yellow Cardscheme across Northern Ireland, strengthening surveillance and helping safety issues tobe detected earlier.
MHRA's Chair, Professor Anthony Harnden, said:
"One of my priorities since becoming chair has been to ensure the MHRA is a regulator
for all nations with an increased presence and engagement with our partners and
stakeholders across the UK.
"MHRA's Board seminar in Belfast last year signalled our commitment to supporting the
life sciences sector in Northern Ireland to meet the 21stcentury challenges presented bynew technologiessuch as personalised medicines and AI and embrace innovation whilstalways putting the best interests of patients and the public first."
Northern Ireland isa significant player in the global healthcare landscape withexpertisein precision medicines, pharma and biotech,diagnosticsand med-tech.It also has a considerable reputation as adestinationforconductingclinical trials,with a single, integrated health and social care system,state-of-the-artclinical researchfacilitiesand digital health infrastructure.
Department of Health, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Professor Cathy Harrison, said:
"The establishment of an MHRA hub in Northern Ireland, hosted by Invest NI, reflects the strong collaborative relationship and sustained engagement between Northern Ireland agencies and the MHRA in recent months. Building on the established partnerships with healthcare, academia and industry, this hub will strengthen collaboration, support innovation in Northern Ireland, andultimately helpdrive forward population health improvements and support economic development."
MHRA Chief Executive, Lawrence Tallon, said:
"Northern Ireland'suniquegeo-strategicpositiongives itunique access to both UK and EU markets, as well as strong links with the US.Thedynamic life sciencessectoris already playing a key rolein driving thelocaleconomy, creatingemploymentand improving health outcomes for the people of Northern Ireland.It marks an exciting new phase for the MHRA to open a location in Belfast so that we can contribute to this thrivingeconomy and health system and to draw on the deep pool of talentthatexists here."
Invest NI's Director of Advanced Manufacturing and Life Sciences, Brendan McGuigan, said:
"The MHRA's decision toestablisha hub in Belfast is a clear vote of confidence in our thriving life and health sciences sector.
"By hosting the MHRA at our HQ,we'rehelping to bring regulatoryexpertisecloser to local businesses,researchersand clinicians. This direct,in‑personaccess will support innovation, accelerate commercialisation, strengthen clinicalresearchand help our innovative companies accelerate their new products to market faster.
"Closer collaboration with the UK regulator will further enhance Northern Ireland's attractiveness as a location to invest, innovate and scale in life sciences, supportinglong‑termeconomic growth."
Bernie Pearson, Head of Approvals,Healthand Social Care Research &Development(HSCR&D)said:
"I place real value on the strong partnership working with MHRAteams,as it underpins
ourability to navigate the regulatory requirements applicable to Northern Ireland,
providingassurance, alignment, and confidence across the UK wide system."
The MHRANorthern Ireland can be contacted via a dedicated support mailbox
NI-support@mhra.gov.uk
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
