Key Summary
- Invest Northern Ireland will host the MHRA at its offices in central Belfast.
- The regulator had earlier expanded the use of the MHRA Yellow Card scheme across Northern Ireland.
- Northern Ireland is home to around 250 businesses in the life sciences sector, supporting 18,000 jobs.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced that it will be establishing a life sciences hub in Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Invest Northern Ireland will host the regulator at its offices in central Belfast.
Local stakeholders working within the healthcare, health and life sciences sectors across Northern Ireland will be able to book periodic, in-person surgery sessions with MHRA technical experts.
They will discuss topics such as innovation pathways, clinical investigations and be signposted to further regulatory support available from the regulator throughout the product development pipeline.
This direct access will support clinical research and the development of new therapies, getting potentially life-saving medicines and medical technologies to patients more quickly.
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.
The MHRA recently launched a series of stakeholder liaison events at the HIRANI Health Tech Spring Conference held in Belfast in April 2026.
The first event showcased how the MHRA supports innovation and clinical investigations across the UK.
Future events will focus on topics of interest to the sector in Northern Ireland, and build closer connections with local organisations.
The regulator had earlier expanded the use of the MHRA Yellow Card scheme across Northern Ireland, strengthening surveillance and improving safety.
MHRA 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 21st century challenges presented by new technologies such as personalised medicines and AI and embrace innovation whilst always putting the best interests of patients and the public first.”
Chief pharmaceutical officer for Northern Ireland, 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, and ultimately help drive forward population health improvements and support economic development.”
MHRA chief Executive, Lawrence Tallon, said, “Northern Ireland’s unique geo-strategic position gives it unique access to both UK and EU markets, as well as strong links with the US. The dynamic life sciences sector is already playing a key role in driving the local economy, creating employment and 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 thriving economy and health system and to draw on the deep pool of talent that exists here.”
Invest NI’s director of Advanced Manufacturing and Life Sciences, Brendan McGuigan, said, “The MHRA’s decision to establish a 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’re helping to bring regulatory expertise closer to local businesses, researchers and clinicians. This direct, in‑person access will support innovation, accelerate commercialisation, strengthen clinical research and help our innovative companies accelerate their new products to market faster."
