Northern Ireland firm GRAHAM has commenced construction on a £64 million world-class clinical research centre in Belfast.

The planned 8,500 square metre iREACH Health centre, which is being constructed at the Lisburn Road, beside Belfast City Hospital, will enhance patient care and drive economic growth to reinforce Northern Ireland's position as a region of choice for clinical trials.

The project is estimated to create up to 1,000 direct and indirect jobs and generate an additional £733 million GDP for the region.

iREACH Health is a Belfast Region City Deal initiative led by Queen's University in partnership with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the Health and Social Care Research Development Division of the Public Health Agency.

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It is supported by funding from both the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive as well as Queen's.

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt were among key representatives from government, healthcare, and industry on site yesterday as construction began.

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: "By enhancing collaboration between academia, government and industry, this £64 million investment in iREACH Health will help establish our region as a prime location for clinical trials."

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt added: "It's incredibly exciting to see the progress being made on the site. The clinical trials that will be conducted at iREACH Health will transform lives and the centre will be a key enabler in providing enhanced patient care for our communities, aligning with our vision for a healthier future for Northern Ireland."

The centre is scheduled to open in Spring 2027, where it will accommodate up to 360 staff and bring together all the essential parts of the clinical trial ecosystem in one space.