UK life sciences firms explore private healthcare opportunities in Ireland

Eleven UK-based life sciences companies from Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region participated in a joint Mayoral Trade Mission to Ireland this week, targeting private healthcare opportunities amid the country’s evolving health sector. The mission offered first-hand insights into Ireland’s healthcare landscape, including digital health innovation and investment trends.

Led by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region, the delegation visited key sites such as St James’s Hospital’s health innovation hub and University College Dublin’s NovaUCD innovation centre. The group also attended briefings at the British Embassy and the UK Ambassador’s residence, gaining access to networking and strategic collaboration opportunities.

Businesses represented included MolMart, a Manchester-based genetic testing provider assisting prospective parents with inherited condition risk assessments, and Alderley Lighthouse Labs, an accredited laboratory offering comprehensive testing services. These companies are exploring how their private healthcare services could integrate with Ireland’s health authorities and private sector initiatives.

MolMart CEO Dr Markella Mikkelsen said the mission helped the company understand Ireland’s market needs and potential partnership opportunities. Alderley Lighthouse Labs’ CEO Mark Wigglesworth highlighted how the evolving healthcare environment in Ireland provides avenues for private laboratories to collaborate in innovative ways with health authorities.

Janine Smith, director of GM Business Growth Hub, emphasised that life sciences is a high-growth sector in the North of England, with substantial domestic and international opportunities. The trade mission aims to strengthen business ties, support market expansion, and foster collaborations that could enhance healthcare delivery in Ireland.

Discover how UK life sciences firms are building partnerships and exploring private healthcare innovation in Ireland by reading the complete story.