The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is establishing a permanent hub in Belfast, hosted at Invest Northern Ireland's offices, to deepen collaboration with businesses, researchers and clinicians across Northern Ireland's growing life sciences sector.

National Health Executive reported that the hub will provide regular, in-person surgery sessions where local organisations can meet directly with MHRA experts to discuss regulatory pathways, clinical investigations, trials, and product development and approval processes.

Northern Ireland's life sciences sector comprises around 250 companies employing 18,000 people and contributing £1.1 billion (approximately €1.3 billion) annually to the local economy, with recognised strengths in precision medicine, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, diagnostics and medical technology.

The MHRA's Belfast presence also supports the expansion of its Yellow Card scheme, through which patients and healthcare professionals report suspected side effects from medicines and devices, with greater regional uptake expected to improve safety monitoring and data collection.

Professor Anthony Harnden, chair of the MHRA, 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."

The hub builds on commitments made following an MHRA Board meeting in Belfast in November 2025, co-chaired by the agency's leadership and Northern Ireland's Chief Pharmaceutical Officer.

Get the full details on how the MHRA's new Belfast hub is set to reshape regulatory engagement for Northern Ireland's life sciences sector.