Northern Ireland’s life science innovations are shaping tomorrow’s healthcare
The region’s healthcare companies provide cutting-edge research, products and services in over 140 countries. Our precision medicine capabilities shorten timelines and decrease resource requirement. Our pharmaceutical sector has made strides in cancer, cardiovascular disease and cystic fibrosis biomedical research. Our next-generation data analytics support clinical trials. We can develop rapid molecular diagnostic tests within short timeframes. And it’s all backed by science from 17 world-leading research centers.
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Industry overview
Area of sector expertise
- Precision medicine
- Diagnostics
- Pharma & Biotech
- Clinical trials
- Connected & digital health
- Medtech
- Medical manufacturing
Sector Expertise
Life and health sciences
Area of sector expertise
- Precision medicine
- Diagnostics
- Biotechnology
- Pharmaceuticals
- Clinical trials
- Northern Ireland has a thriving life and health sciences sector that benefits from a strong collaborative approach between industry, academia and clinicians.
- Our industry cluster includes 250+ companies ranging from global names like Randox, Almac and Norbrook to small and mid-sized companies. The sector generated a turnover of $1.41 billion USD last year.
- With 2,100 academic staff and a combined research income of almost $217.5 million USD, our main universities – Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University – produce world-leading research capability.
- 10% of the world's cholesterol tests are made in Northern Ireland. The region also produced the world’s first mobile defibrillator.
Businesses here include
Technology and connected health
Area of sector expertise
- Connected health
- Digital health
- AI and data
- Cyber security
- Remote working tech
- IT infrastructure
- With technology expertise in software development, cyber security, data, cloud and AI, Northern Ireland is poised to become a leader in digital and connected health.
- Queen’s University Belfast is home of the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT), the UK’s national innovation and research center for cyber security.
- Northern Ireland is the #1 international investment destination for US cyber security firms.
- Belfast is Europe’s leading FDI destination for new software development.
- Ulster University is home to the Connected Health Innovation Centre, a leader in connected health research, with a focus on the management of long-term chronic conditions, especially through the use of sensors.
Businesses here include
Medical engineering and manufacturing
Area of sector expertise
- Medtech
- Medical devices and supplies manufacturing
- Plastics and polymers
- Composites design and manufacturing
- Precision manufacturing
- Northern Ireland offers scientifically advanced manufacturing capabilities, zero-defect manufacturing standards, and a long history of advanced engineering and manufacturing excellence.
- Traditionally this strength has manifested in the aerospace, automotive, technology, energy and space industries.
- Northern Ireland produces parts in 1/5 of the world’s computer hard drives thanks to Seagate’s local operation, 40% of the world’s tracked mobile stone crushing and gravel screening equipment, over 30% of the world’s aircraft seats, and high-tech composite-based aircraft wings.
- The manufacturing industry in Northern Ireland in recent years has grown almost 3x faster than in the rest of the UK. Part of that is due to medical manufacturers taking advantage of regional strengths in plastics and polymers, composites design and manufacturing, and precision manufacturing.
Businesses here include
Explore our other sectors
Area of sector expertise
- Materials handling
- Aerospace and defence
- Green growth and renewable energy
- Construction
- Financial services
- Global business services
- Professional and legal services
- Creative technology
- Food and drink
Businesses here include
Connect with Northern Ireland suppliers.
We can help connect you with world-class life and health sciences companies.
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Local offices
Contact our team in the Americas (below) to find out about the respected and established exporters from Northern Ireland.
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Exhibitions & trade shows
Northern Ireland exporters regularly take part in sector trade shows around the world.
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Meet the buyer
Meet the buyer events offer an opportunity to meet and talk to our trusted exporters in your sector.
Connect with us
Get in touch to discuss how Invest Northern Ireland can help connect you to suppliers.
Contact a member of our team directly via LinkedIn.
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LinkedIn: Invest Northern Ireland Americas
