The University of Oxford's Centre for Research Equity (CfRE) has entered into a historic partnership with the Health and Social Care Research and
Development (HSC R&D) Division in Northern Ireland to advance health equity across the region and ensure everyone benefits from healthcare advancements.
Unveiled during an event at Parliament Buildings in Stormont Estate on Wednesday, this groundbreaking partnership makes Northern Ireland the first UK region
to partner with CfRE.
Supported by the Department of Health Northern Ireland and key health and social care agencies, the partnership aims to improve health outcomes and reduce
disparities through collaborative research.
Northern Ireland's Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, highlighted that this new partnership represents "a significant step forward in efforts to address health
inequalities" in the region.
"By bringing together leading experts and resources from across sectors, we can work towards conducting research that truly benefits all of our communities," he
said.
The 'Life and Health Sciences Launchpad' has been introduced to focus on the precision medicine sector.
It would help businesses and researchers to level up their impact on economic growth within the region.
The launchpad has been funded by Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Kerry Curran, Director of GB & EU Trade in the Department for the Economy hailed the decision to support NI's "trailblazing" sector.
She said: "Life and Health Science, including our highly innovative precision medicine cluster, is an area the Department is also prioritising through its
10X Economy Vision, and this Launchpad represents a further endorsement of the world-leading growth potential of precision medicine, and indeed life and
health science, in Northern Ireland.