Northern Ireland stands on the cusp of a significant transformation in the Life and Health Sciences (LHS) sector, driven by strategic investments and collaborative initiatives underpinned by the City and Growth Deals. Today, MATRIX – the Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel released a critical foresight study that explores the sector’s future and outlines a path to robust growth and innovation supercharged by the City and Growth Deal investments.

 

City and Growth Deals

The City and Growth Deals (CGDs) represent a fundamental shift in how regional development is approached in Northern Ireland. These deals aim to catalyse economic growth by focusing on key sectors like Life and Health Sciences, which are poised to benefit significantly from targeted funding and strategic partnerships. The CGDs offer an unprecedented opportunity to harness local strengths and translate them into substantial economic and societal benefits.

 

The Role of Collaborative Networks

One of the report’s primary themes is the essential role of collaboration among diverse stakeholders. The success of the LHS sector heavily relies on the synergy between government bodies, industry leaders, academic institutions, and Health and Social Care services. This integrated approach is designed to foster an environment where innovation can thrive, leading to advancements in medical research and healthcare delivery.

 

Key Findings and Recommendations

Recognising the opportunity for NI to capitalise on its strengths and replicate the success of other LHS hubs, as described in this report, we suggest that the LHS CGDs would greatly benefit from enhanced coordination and stronger alignment with Northern Ireland’s sectoral strengths and goals. The foresight study provides a series of three recommendations that are pivotal for the development of the LHS sector.

  • Drive cohesive growth in NI’s LHS sector – By establishing a multidisciplinary advisory panel to develop a unified LHS strategy, aligning Centres of Excellence developments with regional and global goals, and providing strategic oversight to CGDs and their respective councils.
  • Enhance industry engagement and international outreach – By having the panel define a unified vision, while driving co-ordinated cross-sector collaboration to achieve initiatives and helping define clear engagement pathways with the CoEs, facilitating technology transfer, attracting foreign direct investment, and leveraging funding opportunities from various sources.
  • Provide LHS leadership through pragmatic resource allocation – By appointing a chairperson with the necessary experience and influence. The advisory panel should aim to build on existing industry-facing sector-specific implementation forums.

 

Impact on the Community and Economy

The implementation of the CGD has the potential to significantly impact the local economy by creating high-value jobs and enhancing the region’s competitiveness on a global scale. Additionally, the focus on Life and Health Sciences can lead to improved health outcomes for the community through the development of innovative medical treatments and health care solutions.

The establishment of a strategic advisory panel will help drive forward delivery of the City Deals projects, ensuring the investments and initiatives from the LHS sector specific Centres of Excellence are strategically targeted to maximise impact. This alignment can help drive economic growth across the region, supporting regional balance.

The advisory group can facilitate collaboration between the CGDs Centres of Excellence to capitalise on synergies and expertise. By encouraging partnerships, knowledge exchange and resource alignment, the group can support accelerated innovation and productivity within the LHS sector.

 

Future Outlook

The report concludes with an optimistic outlook for the Life and Health Sciences sector in Northern Ireland. With continued support and adherence to the outlined strategic directions, Northern Ireland can develop into a coordinated LHS ecosystem, emphasising targeted strengths to drive innovation and intellectual power (IP) creation, cultivating a skilled and talented workforce, and bolstering our position to proposer in the international market.

The MATRIX report serves as a roadmap for leveraging the City and Growth Deals to amplify Northern Ireland’s capacity in the Life and Health Sciences sector. It calls for a committed, collective approach to overcome challenges and seize opportunities that lie ahead. For stakeholders involved in this dynamic sector, the report not only outlines potential but also charts a course towards tangible and unifying progress and lasting impact.

 

For those interested in the detailed strategic recommendations and in-depth analysis, the full report is available for download HERE.