Note: this publication may not reflect verbatim delivery by Minister Murphy.
Good afternoon, everyone.
The Assembly is sitting today which means I should be in Stormont.
But I was prepared to risk the wrath of my whip to travel here to help launch the new report by the Matrix panel.
Life and Health sciences has grown by 75% over the last 3 years and the report shows how the sector can continue to grow in the years ahead.
It highlights in particular the contribution of projects in the city and growth deals.
The Belfast Region City Deal includes funding for digital health care innovation, clinical trial acceleration, and data analytics.
The Derry City and Strabane Deal includes investment in the UU Personalised Medicine Centre.
Investment in health innovation is planned in the Mid South West region, while a Centre for Food and Drug Discovery forms part of the Causeway Coast and Glens Deal.
So these projects are contributing to regional balance, one of my strategic priorities. Some of these projects are more advanced than others, and since coming into post I have urged officials to support partners to get all these projects over the line.
The report also provides an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing the sector.
One of the strengths identified is dual market access.
With a simplified regulatory environment, and the ability to operate free from custom processes and tariffs, the north has a unique ability to lean into both the British and EU markets, without the bureaucracy that others endure.
This afternoon I am receiving an update on research which identifies, very precisely, the sectors and sub-sectors that have the most to gain from the Windsor Framework, and that we therefore have a competitive advantage in.
The research is still in the process of being finalised but the indications are that Life and Health Sciences is high on this list. So the sector has huge potential.
In order to realise that potential it is important that government and the industry work together, and that we develop interventions that are tailored to the specific needs of the sector.
My Department is currently finalising Action Plans for a number of key sectors, one of which is Life and Health Sciences.
This Matrix report will be factored into that Plan, which will be published in the coming weeks. And we will continue the dialogue so that the Plan can be fine-tuned to changing circumstances.
So I’d like to thank the Health Innovation Research Alliance for organising today’s event. Occasions like this are important in terms of the sector operating as a cluster, exchanging learning, building networks, and also articulating the collective needs of the industry.
I see my Department’s role as enabling you to flourish so we want to listen to you and work with you to help you continue to grow.
Many thanks for having me here today, and every best wish for a successful event.