Northern Ireland’s newest life sciences asset, Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland (HIRANI), was officially launched earlier this month at the Union League of Philadelphia.
Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland (HIRANI) is a new collaboration between academic, local government, clinical and life sciences communities to deliver the health and wealth potential of Northern Ireland’s life sciences ecosystem.
HIRANI will aim to act as a voice for health and life sciences, enabling the sector to promote itself nationally and internationally. It will also provide a single point to external companies looking for collaborations in the region.
Chief Executive of the UK Bioindustry Association, Steve Bates, said: “By bringing together health care providers, research bodies, companies and supply chains, HIRANI will be ideally placed to identify and champion the exciting opportunities within the Northern Ireland life sciences ecosystem.
“This is further proof of the thriving life sciences sector in Northern Ireland and shows the diverse strength of the UK life sciences sector as a whole, where our global strength is underpinned by a world class research base and where innovative companies are working at the forefront of pioneering treatments for patients, across the nations of the UK.”
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry’s CEO, Mike Thompson, said: “Northern Ireland has long punched well above its weight in terms of life sciences innovation, particularly in the fields of respiratory disease, heart disease and cancer.
“HIRANI will make it easier for its network of universities, industry, and health organisations to work together to achieve improved health and social care outcomes for Northern Ireland’s 1.8 million residents, as well as sustained economic growth for the region.”