The MHRA is establishing a new hub in Northern Ireland to support the region’s fast‑growing life sciences sector, in a move announced on 13 May 2026. Hosted by Invest Northern Ireland, the hub is intended to strengthen collaboration between the regulator and local healthcare, academic and industry partners.
Northern Ireland is home to around 250 life sciences businesses, supporting 18,000 jobs and contributing £1.1 billion to the economy.
The new Belfast base will allow local organisations to book in‑person sessions with MHRA technical experts on areas including innovation pathways and clinical investigations, with signposting to further regulatory support across the product development pipeline. The MHRA said this direct access will help accelerate clinical research and the development of new therapies.
The hub follows a series of stakeholder liaison events launched at the HIRANI Health Tech Spring Conference in April 2026, and builds on commitments made after the MHRA Board meeting held in Belfast in November 2025. Work is already under way to expand use of the Yellow Card scheme across Northern Ireland to strengthen safety surveillance.
Professor Anthony Harnden, MHRA Chair, 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.”
Professor Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Northern Ireland, 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.”
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.”
Brendan McGuigan, Director of Advanced Manufacturing and Life Sciences at Invest NI, 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.”
Bernie Pearson, Head of Approvals, HSC R&D, said: “I place real value on the strong partnership working with MHRA teams, as it underpins our ability to navigate the regulatory requirements applicable to Northern Ireland.”
