'Crucial to our Reset Plan': AstraZeneca signs landmark partnership to transform healthcare in Northern Ireland
First-of-its-kind collaboration with the Department of Health, Department for the Economy and HIRANI aims to accelerate innovation, improve outcomes and position Northern Ireland as a global testbed for life sciences and digital health delivery
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has entered a first-of-its-kind partnership which aims to transform healthcare and boost innovation in Northern Ireland.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed with the Northern Ireland Department of Health, the Department for the Economy and the Health Innovation Research Alliance NI (HIRANI) aimed at transforming healthcare delivery and improving health outcomes for the people of Northern Ireland.
The milestone partnership marks the first time Northern Ireland’s health system and vibrant life sciences sector has sought to strategically engage with a global biopharmaceutical company in this manner.
The collaboration will co-develop and deploy scalable practice change initiatives to enable a more resilient health system for future generations and promote Northern Ireland’s vision for the systematic adoption of healthcare innovation.
An initial focus will be placed on chronic, long-term conditions and the NHS priorities highlighted by the Northern Irish Department of Health.
Tom Keith-Roach, country president at AstraZeneca UK Ltd, said: "This strategic collaboration with Northern Ireland represents our commitment to putting science and patients at the heart of healthcare transformation.
"Our goal is to leverage AstraZeneca’s expertise in initiating successful NHS partnerships to help Northern Ireland become a global beacon for life sciences and digital health innovation. We believe this collaborative model, focusing on prevention and early intervention at a community level, will deliver significant and sustainable improvements for patients across the region."
Health minister Mike Nesbitt added: "Northern Ireland faces significant health challenges, including record waiting lists and a heavy burden of chronic diseases. This pioneering partnership with AstraZeneca, a global leader in biopharmaceuticals, is crucial to our 'Reset Plan' and 'Neighbourhood' model of care, which aims to expand primary and community-based services and intervene earlier to reduce hospital demand.
"By combining our collective strengths, we are committed to making meaningful improvements to the health and wellbeing of our population and establishing Northern Ireland as a testbed for digitally-enabled pathways and scaled innovation."
Economy minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the "landmark partnership", adding that it "aligns with my department’s focus on life and health sciences as a priority sector for economic growth".
"In the north we have a strong and growing Life and Health Sciences sector, underpinned by excellent research and innovation capability," Archibald added.
"This collaboration with AstraZeneca demonstrates the value of strategic partnerships in supporting improved health outcomes and reinforcing our international reputation as a centre for life sciences excellence.”
Joann Rhodes, chief executive at HIRANI, said: "This historic strategic partnership represents a convergence of need and shared ambition, bringing together the health service reset and neighbourhood plan, AstraZeneca's deep expertise and the technological strengths of Northern Ireland's health and life sciences ecosystem.
"Together, we are setting a new precedent for cross-sector collaboration, developing and scaling interventions that drive better health outcomes and lasting prosperity for all."