About AICRI

Potentially one in two people living on the island of Ireland will develop cancer during their lifetime. To help improve the lives of many living with and beyond cancer, there is an urgent need for greater collaboration in the area of cancer research throughout the island of Ireland. Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has made the situation even more acute for cancer patients, with there being considerable challenges put in place in terms of delayed diagnosis and associated care.

Our aim is to establish an All-Island Cancer Research Institute (AICRI). This will be a virtual institute and through our work we will gain a better understanding of cancer, develop more personalised treatment options and ease suffering and save lives. We will become a global leader in cancer research.

AICRI will also help to deepen North/South collaboration and to strengthen social, economic and political links on the island of Ireland.

Mission and focus

AICRI will bring together the combined strengths of cancer researchers on this island of Ireland to tackle cancer, linking with US and other international colleagues. Our mission is to provide an overarching framework for cancer research across the island of Ireland, from discovery to implementation, for the benefit of cancer patients and wider society. Progressing the vision of AICRI, our ethos is “With the patient; around the patient; for the patient”.

Benefits and Impact of our Work

AICRI offers many benefits and will provide a significant return investment as follows:

Health and healthcare:

Reduce cancer incidence, improve prevention and early diagnostics, provide more cost effective cancer care; increase healthy living and prevention to reduce healthcare costs.

Society:

The projected 233,000 deaths from all invasive cancers in Ireland from 2011-2030 is predicted to result in lost productivity of €73 billion, i.e. 1.4% of the annual GDP. Emerging health economic data demonstrate that precision medicine can significantly reduce costs and increase quality of life.

Economy and jobs:

AICRI represents a significant opportunity to attract key industries to the island, leveraging return of Investment and innovative spin out/SME activity that will benefit our economy, generate high value jobs, and will be enabled to become cornerstones of the knowledge industry.

In sum, AICRI envisages the birth of a new biotech Cluster and will encourage a vibrant and innovative start-up and SME environment for indigenous biotech North and South working closely with the IDA, InterTrade Ireland and Invest NI.

Key Benefits of AICRI

  • Our researchers are building ongoing collaborations and cross-border relationships

  • There are benefits across the areas of health, education, the economy and the promotion of peace

    • We translate lab-based science into impactful patient care.

    • We contribute to the Shared Island Initiative and cancer policy development.

    • There is greater stakeholder engagement with patients, NCCP, CTI and cancer charities.

    • Cross-institutional partnership of scale.

    • Greater participation in EU funding calls.