Cirdan Imaging announced a £12.9 million investment to expand operations in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. The project will create 72 new jobs by 2028.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, and Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald announced the investment. It targets improvements in the company's laboratory information system, known as LIS, along with workforce training and expansion of sales and technical teams.

The Vision-Path project includes new LIS features to enhance clinical workflows. CEO Hugh Cormican stated the upgrades address competition in the global LIS market and support entry into markets in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

New positions include AI engineers, software engineers, clinical laboratory analysts, and project managers. O'Neill noted the jobs offer opportunities in the local area and support innovation in patient diagnosis worldwide.

Little-Pengelly said the investment builds on Northern Ireland's expertise and drives competitiveness. Archibald called it a vote of confidence in the region's talent and R&D in the life and health sciences sector.

Invest NI provided £1.9 million in support for skills development, R&D, and 10 management roles with average salaries of £70,500. Chief Development Officer Alison Currie said the aid helps the company scale in the sector.

Archibald added that the region's advancements in medical devices, diagnostics, AI, and photonics position companies like Cirdan for global growth. Cormican plans to grow sales in existing markets such as the UK and Australia.