Pictured at the launch of the All-Island Oncology Industry Report were (L-R) Prof William Gallagher, University College Dublin and All Island Cancer Research Institute (AICRI); Conor Murphy MLA, Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland; Dara Calleary TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation in Ireland; Prof Mark Lawler, Queen’s University Belfast and AICRI; Margaret Hearty, CEO InterTradeIreland.
Recently, in a unique event, the Health Committees of both the Irish Parliament at Leinster House in Dublin and the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont in Belfast met in Queen’s University Belfast (Queen’s) with senior university leadership to discuss cross-border care, research and education on the island of Ireland. A key part of this discussion related to cancer, presaged by a debate on all-island cancer research and innovation the previous week in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The private members motion that was debated, entitled All-Island Cancer Research Co-operation, was prompted by the contents of a report entitled “Landscape Review and Economic Potential of the Oncology and Allied Digital Health Sector on the Island of Ireland”, produced by the All-Island Cancer Research Institute (AICRI), a partnership of ten universities across the island, co-led by Queen’s and University College Dublin (UCD), which also involves a variety of other stakeholders including cancer charities and patient representatives.
That report was launched by Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland Conor Murphy MLA and Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation in Ireland, Dara Calleary TD at the Innovate & Connect: All-Island Oncology Industry Workshop in Dublin. Key recommendations included establishing an All-Island Oncology Innovation Cluster; increasing R&D funding to 3.5% to align with global Life and Health Science clusters; resolving gaps in digital health infrastructure on the island and developing a Collaborative Centre in Precision Health, with a particular emphasis on cancer.
The Report highlighted a unique opportunity to drive both health and wealth agendas. An All-Island approach would not only lead to better outcomes for cancer patients, it would also enhance economic growth in sectors where both jurisdictions have complementary expertise. By 2032, the Report estimates that worldwide revenues for oncology and digital health businesses with a company base on the island of Ireland will soar to over €10.7 trillion. Now is the time for the governments of Ireland and Northern Ireland to capitalise on this opportunity.
There is a clear need to empower academic institutions North and South to work more symbiotically, not only with each other, but also with industry partners in areas including clinical trials, diagnostics and digital health, pursuing an ambitious agenda that can unlock a significant proportion of that €10.7 trillion bonanza and realise an economic dividend for the island of Ireland.
The collaborative work that AICRI has undertaken to date shows the benefit of an all-island approach. We’ve secured competitive funding through initiatives such as the Shared Island Fund, performing research together in precision oncology, digital health and cancer diagnostics that is recognised internationally. By harnessing our expertise across the island in cancer research and innovation, we can better understand cancer, develop personalised treatments and ultimately save lives, while also providing a major economic stimulus.
The timing of the debate in Stormont was highly relevant, coming as it did during the 25th Anniversary of the signing of a unique agreement between Ireland, Northern Ireland and the US National Cancer Institute (NCI), giving rise to the Ireland-Northern Ireland-NCI Cancer Consortium. Key benefits of this consortium were highlighted in a recent publication led by researchers at Queen’s, which highlighted a 13.5 fold increase in joint publications between Irish and Northern Irish cancer researchers and a 550% increase in the quality of that joint research.
The Consortium established robust cancer clinical research infrastructure on the island, with 40,000 patients participating in clinical trials over the last 25 years and a 10-15% improvement in cancer outcomes. This work was presented by Mark Lawler at the Science Summit of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where it was widely acknowledged as a global exemplar of the health dividend of peace, indicating the impact that all-island approaches can have internationally.
Northern Ireland is recognised globally for the quality of its cancer research and its translation into better care for patients, delivered through the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research at Queen’s. With cancer clinicians embedded in the Centre, the research is highly patient-focused. Discoveries made at Queen’s have been translated into new diagnostics and therapeutics, changing cancer treatment and cancer policy nationally and internationally. Our laser-like focus is on scientific excellence and its translation for patient benefit.
Recent work led by Queen’s, involving cancer leaders from across Europe, shows unequivocally that patients treated in research-active hospitals have better outcomes than those who are not, conclusively proving that research is a necessity, not a luxury, and an integral part of how we deliver 21st century cancer care for our citizens. It is thus a welcome development that cancer research and innovation were debated in Parliament Buildings and that the motion was passed.
It is critical that research and innovation form a significant component of the Northern Ireland Cancer Strategy and its implementation going forward. And working together makes sense – Cancer Knows no borders, neither should we.
About the Authors
Mark Lawler is Professor of Digital Health at Queen’s University Belfast, Co-Lead of the All-Island Cancer Research Institute (AICRI), and Chair of the Lancet Oncology European Groundshot Commission, a high profile international initiative. He is Health Lead for Momentum One Zero, a Queen’s-led data-driven Belfast Region City Deal Innovation Centre.
William Gallagher is Professor of Cancer Biology at University College Dublin, Co-Lead of AICRI, Deputy Director of Precision Oncology Ireland and Scientific Director of the St. Vincent’s-UCD Cancer Centre. He is currently the co-lead investigator, together with Professor Lawler, on a large-scale HEA North South Research Programme, AICRIstart, which is training the next generation of researchers in precision cancer medicine.
The AICRI-commissioned report was supported by a Synergy grant from InterTradeIreland.
