University College Dublin and Queen’s University Belfast have joined forces to create the All-Island Oncology Innovation Cluster.
Supported by InterTradeIreland, the cluster aims to connect world-leading academic research with industry expertise to drive innovation in oncology. By strengthening collaboration across the island, the goal is to translate cutting-edge discoveries into real-world clinical and commercial impact that benefits patients and society.
Through cross-border partnerships, knowledge exchange and engagement with the life sciences sector, the cluster will support the development of new diagnostics, therapeutics and technologies that improve cancer outcomes.
The cluster held its inaugural consultation forum in Dublin last week, which brought together key stakeholders to share insights, explore opportunities and consider how greater collaboration can help build a more connected oncology innovation ecosystem across the island of Ireland.
Precision oncology
Speaking at the All-Ireland Cancer Summit 2026, Margaret Hearty, Chief Executive of InterTradeIreland, said: “Clusters are recognised internationally as key drivers of innovation and competitiveness. We have taken that methodology to the island of Ireland and we are looking at the development of all-island clusters. We have supported clusters in fintech and cybersecurity, and when we were approached by UCD and Queen’s University Belfast to undertake a mapping study looking at the precision oncology and allied digital health ecosystem on the island of Ireland…. we are delighted to give some seed funding to the development of an all-island precision oncology cluster.”
Ms Hearty pointed out that Northern Ireland has “a very strong indigenous base of precision oncology companies and diagnostics”, while the Republic of Ireland is strong in the pharmaceutical and digital health sectors.
“When you put that together, you have a very compelling [case]. Obviously, there are economic benefits but also benefits for patient car. It’s a win-win for everybody,” she said. We need to connect that triple helix of industry, academia and government. That’s where the real innovation happens.”
By strengthening partnerships across the island, the cluster aims to accelerate the translation of research discoveries into new diagnostics, therapeutics and technologies that improve cancer outcomes while supporting economic growth in the life sciences sector.
Collaboration
Commenting on the new cluster, Dana Kendall, General Manager of AbbVie Ireland, said: “We are two jurisdictions and we have two sets of players, North and South, but when we look at our economic policy priorities and when we look at our economic challenges and health challenges, they’re very, very similar. It just makes economic sense, it makes societal sense, to collaborate on an all-island basis.”
Ms Kendall added: “We have a lot of policies and strategies that end at the border, but cancer knows no borders, and I think there is a great appetite there for collaboration.”
The cluster will focus on several strategic priorities that support the development of a coordinated oncology innovation ecosystem across the island of Ireland. The organisation will support partnerships between researchers, clinicians, companies and policymakers across Ireland and Northern Ireland to enable coordinated innovation.
To accelerate research translation, the cluster will assist promising discoveries to move from laboratory research and digital innovation toward clinical application and commercial development.
The initiative will enable biotechnology, medtech and digital health companies to access academic expertise, research infrastructure and collaboration opportunities. The goal is to attract international partnerships and investment, to position Ireland as an attractive destination for global life sciences companies, investors and research collaborations.
