£12.6 Million Research Centre Planned for Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland will establish a new Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) with a £12.6 million investment aimed at enhancing the clinical research landscape. This funding, part of the Voluntary scheme for branded medicines Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) Investment Programme, will support the health research workforce and improve access to commercial clinical trials across various settings, including primary care. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt expressed that the initiative will create more research opportunities for the entire population, particularly underrepresented groups. Concurrently, Queen's University Belfast is set to construct the £64 million iREACH Health innovation centre, which aims to bolster clinical trial capabilities and generate significant economic benefits, including over 1,000 jobs and an estimated £750 million boost to the GDP. Both initiatives reflect a commitment to advancing health research and innovation in Northern Ireland, positioning the region as a competitive player in the global health landscape. Construction for the iREACH facility is scheduled to commence in December 2024, with operations expected to begin by 2026.