A Lisburn-based medical technology firm has announced a £12.9 million investment to upgrade its diagnostic software and expand its workforce, creating 72 specialised jobs by 2028. Cirdan Imaging, which develops laboratory information systems used in cancer diagnosis, will use the funding to enhance its flagship platform with artificial intelligence and photonics capabilities while scaling its operations across global markets.
The announcement, made by the First Minister, deputy First Minister and Economy Minister on 5 March 2026, represents one of the larger recent investments in Northern Ireland’s Life and Health Sciences sector. The project, named “Vision-Path,” aims to improve clinical workflows and reduce diagnostic costs for laboratories worldwide.
Investment Breakdown and Job Creation
The £12.9 million package includes £1.9 million of support from Invest Northern Ireland, part-funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The economic development agency will directly support 10 management-level positions, which carry an average salary of £70,500.
The remaining 62 roles will span clinical laboratory analysis, project management, systems integration, instrumentation engineering, AI development and software engineering. Cirdan intends to fill these positions over the next two years, with the project supporting extensive training programmes for senior executives and sales staff to drive international expansion.
- Total investment: £12.9 million
- Invest NI contribution: £1.9 million (part-funded by UK Shared Prosperity Fund)
- New jobs: 72 roles to be created by 2028
- Location: Lisburn, Northern Ireland
- Focus: AI-enhanced Laboratory Information System (LIS) development
Ministerial Endorsements
Senior government figures highlighted the investment as validation of Northern Ireland’s growing reputation in medical technology and diagnostics.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said:
“72 new jobs, many of them highly specialised, will provide valuable opportunities for people in the local area. This £12.9million investment by Cirdan Imaging is a strong endorsement of our Life & Health Sciences sector and the highly skilled workforce we have here. Just as importantly, this investment will support Cirdan’s continued innovation, strengthening patient diagnosis and care across the world. We are determined to back businesses to innovate, scale and create good jobs.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said:
“This £12.9million investment and creation of 72 new jobs in Lisburn is very positive news. Cirdan’s investment demonstrates how innovation and skills development go hand in hand to drive competitiveness. By enhancing its LIS system and expanding into new international markets, the company is building on the expertise we have here in Northern Ireland and reinforcing our reputation as a centre of excellence. This investment reflects the depth of talent we have here and is fantastic for the company.”
Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said:
“This investment will help create good jobs and increase innovation in one of my priority sectors. It is a vote of confidence in our talent and R&D capabilities in the north. Cirdan is an exemplar company which demonstrates how investment across R&D and skills can help drive growth. With a focus on AI and photonics, Cirdan has a real opportunity to develop innovative products which will drive competitiveness globally.”
The Minister added:
“The north is well known for advances in medical devices and innovative diagnostic products. Our strengths in Life and Health Sciences coupled with advances in AI presents the north as an exciting location for both existing and potential investors.”
Company Strategy and Market Position
Cirdan Imaging is a leading pathology company that aims to enhance diagnosis for patients with cancer and other diseases. The company’s LIS makes patient diagnosis faster and more accurate by improving clinical workflows and reducing costs across the world.
To achieve its commercial ambitions, the company will undertake a wide range of training across its expanded team. This will support the development of its senior executives and upskilling of sales and marketing staff.
Hugh Cormican, CEO of Cirdan, said:
“The global LIS market is highly competitive, creating significant barriers to entry. This project will address this challenge and enable our LIS to become more competitive in additional markets.”
He added:
“Over 72 jobs will be created over the course of the project. Part of this new employment will be in our sales and technical onboarding team to help us scale globally. We are ambitious and want to grow our sales in existing markets such as the UK and Australia. And with our innovative new features we also want to break into other global markets including North America, Europe, Middle East and Asia.”
Alison Currie, Chief Development Officer at Invest NI, said:
“Innovation is the driving force behind Northern Ireland’s Life and Health Sciences sector, enabling breakthroughs that strengthen our economy and improve patient outcomes around the world.
“Along with supporting the company’s innovation journey we’re directly supporting 10 management level roles with an average salary of £70,500. This investment will help Cirdan to scale and reinforce its position as a key player in Northern Ireland’s Life Health Sciences sector.”
Gaps and Considerations
While the announcement provides headline figures, several details remain unclear. The press release does not specify the breakdown of the £12.9 million total—particularly how much represents Cirdan’s own capital versus external investment beyond the £1.9 million Invest NI contribution. Nor does it clarify how this funding interacts with the company’s £7.5 million investment secured just 16 months prior.
The timeline for job creation extends to 2028, yet the announcement offers no interim milestones or safeguards regarding job retention beyond the project period. Additionally, while the company mentions AI and photonics development, specific technical innovations or intellectual property outcomes remain undisclosed.
This investment comes amid broader challenges for Northern Ireland’s economic development. Invest NI’s chief executive has previously warned that infrastructure constraints—particularly water, wastewater and land availability—are hampering the agency’s ability to deliver on regional balance targets, with only 17% of the agency’s current landholding remaining available for development.
Questions for Stakeholders
- How does this £12.9 million investment relate to Cirdan’s previous £7.5 million funding round, and will existing investors see their stakes diluted or reinforced?
- Given reported skills shortages in quality assurance, regulatory affairs and automation engineering within Northern Ireland’s life sciences sector, what specific recruitment strategies will ensure the 72 specialised roles are filled by 2028?
- What contractual safeguards, if any, exist to ensure the new positions remain in Lisburn beyond the initial project completion date?
- How will the “Vision-Path” project’s AI and photonics innovations differentiate Cirdan’s LIS from competitors such as Deciphex or Ovation in an increasingly crowded global market?
- Does this investment align with the UK Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan and the NI Health and Social Care Reset Plan, and how might it leverage the proposed £1.3 billion City and Growth Deals funding for healthcare innovation?
What to Watch
Cirdan’s expansion will test whether Northern Ireland’s infrastructure can support rapid scaling in the life sciences sector. Observers should monitor the company’s ability to fill highly technical roles against a backdrop of reported skills shortages, and whether the promised global market penetration—particularly in North America and Asia—materialises as projected. The integration of AI into diagnostic workflows also raises questions about regulatory approval timelines and data governance standards that may affect product launch schedules.