Frequently Asked Questions

iREACH Health is a new purpose-built healthcare research innovation centre opening in 2027 on the Lisburn Road near Belfast City Hospital.  

iREACH Health will co-locate all the essential parts of the clinical trial ecosystem together under one roof, working towards common goals to attract clinical trials to Northern Ireland, to set them up quickly, and to ensure there's equity of access for patients throughout the whole of Northern Ireland - making NI a region of choice for clinical trials set-up and delivery 

By connecting start-ups, small, medium and large pharmaceutical companies to an optimised and aligned ecosystem, iREACH Health will create a wider, joined-up innovation landscape across basic research, translation to humans and translation to patients, realising the potential of research, delivering population health, economic impact and inclusion and well-being.  

Clinical trials are a cornerstone of medical research, designed to test new human treatments, procedures, or medical devices to ensure they are safe and effective before they become widely available.

By participating in clinical trials, patients may gain access to innovative treatments not yet widely available and contribute to future medical breakthroughs that benefit others. Trials also provide valuable data to refine existing treatments, reduce side effects, and tailor care to individual needs, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for society.

Clinical trials are categorised into 4 phases.

Phase 1 trials:

This is when a new drug or treatment is being trialled in human volunteers for the first time. The medicine is given to a small number of people (typically between 20 and 100 volunteers). Researchers test for side effects and calculate what the right dose might be to use in treatment. A small dose is given initially, and the dose is only increased if the volunteers do not experience any side effects, or if they only experience minor side effects. Phase 1 trials typically last several months.

Phase 2 trials:

The new medicine is tested on a larger group of people who are sick. Phase 2 clinical trials may be randomised, this means one group of patients receives the study drug and the other receives a placebo or the current standard on-market medication. Phase 2 trials may also be double-blinded, this is when neither the researchers nor the participants are aware of who has received the study drug. This process can last several months to a few years. To progress to Phase 3 trials, the therapy must be confirmed to be safe and effective for the participants.

Phase 3 trials:

After the treatment has passed Phase 2, it is tested on larger groups of patients (several thousand) and usually randomised and double-blinded. Phase 3 trials often last a year or more. After passing Phase 3, the drug can be submitted to regulatory authorities for approval for the medicine to be commercially available.

Phase 4 trials:

Phase 4 trials are carried out on medicines that have passed the previous phases and are available for prescription. The main aim of a Phase 4 trial is to assess the drug’s performance in real-world scenarios, to investigate the long-term risks and benefits of using it, and to identify any additional side effects. The process can take up to multiple years to complete.

More information can be found at the following link:

Clinical trials - NHS

iREACH Health will consist of two buildings beside Belfast City Hospital, on either side of the Lisburn Road.

iREACH Health is scheduled to open its doors in Spring 2027.

The Northern Ireland Clinical Research Facility (NICRF) will relocate its operations from the U floor of Belfast City Hospital to a floor of building A of iREACH Health. The NICRF will form an integral part of iREACH Health.

Studies indicate that research-active hospitals consistently provide improved outcomes for patients, even when the patients themselves are not part of a clinical trial or research study.

In partnership with BSCHT, iREACH Health will help deliver clinical trials that will bring new medications to patients, provide a better understanding of which treatments work best for specific groups, and ultimately offer improved treatment options for diseases and conditions.

By identifying the most effective treatments, clinical trials can help avoid the use of costly, less effective interventions, ultimately making healthcare more efficient.

On a local level, some of the trials on offer will provide early access for patients to innovative therapies that are not yet widely available.  

iREACH Health will provide the infrastructure that will enhance Northern Ireland’s ability to respond to global health crises, by helping to develop new vaccines and treatments for infectious diseases when future epidemics and pandemics arise.  
 
Embedding a Research Culture

The NICRF and Celerion will evaluate a broad spectrum of interventions across various diseases. iREACH Health will have the capacity to run trials across all 4 phases of the clinical trial process.

iREACH Health will offer state-of-the-art facilities, resources, and collaboration opportunities for clinical academics and researchers from across NI.

Make an Application to NICRF 

iREACH Health will have Industry tenants operating within, (e.g. Celerion, the flagship industry tenant). iREACH Health will also serve as an incubator and offer competitive rates for spin-out companies from Universities to take up residence.

Contact us for more information on collaboration opportunities at ireachhealth@qub.ac.uk , or complete our start a conversation form.

Clinical research would not be successful without the involvement of patients and the public. Trials will be conducted for a range of new treatments. Further information on participation in clinical trials can be found below: 

Be part of research website: https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/  

Celerion recruitment site:  https://helpresearch.com/location/belfast  

The MyCare app will in the future allow users to consent to be notified of upcoming trials that may be of interest.  

My Care - Login Page 

My Care – DHCNI 

iREACH Health is committed to integrating Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in our research processes.

PPI allows patients, carers, and members of the public to contribute to the design and conduct of clinical trials, ensuring that research is relevant and beneficial to the community.

By participating in PPI, you can help shape the future of clinical research and ensure that it addresses the needs and priorities of patients and the public.

To explore PPI opportunities, you can visit the following resources:

• People in Research: This platform provides information on various PPI opportunities across the UK, helping you find ways to contribute to clinical research.
• PPI Network Ireland: This noticeboard lists current PPI opportunities in Ireland, offering a chance to get involved in meaningful research projects.