Unique Ecosystem

Case studies

Helping indigenous companies go global / Enterprise Ireland

David Byrne, Manager of the Digital Technologies Department, Enterprise Ireland
“What we’re seeing is a convergence of technology, medtech, pharma and healthcare, to deliver value through data harnessing and analysis for healthcare providers and clinicians, all the way through to manufacturers. We are very well-placed because of our pre-existing knowledge, expertise and performance to-date in both of those sectors.”

“The Government is committed to supporting innovation, as are Ibec and Enterprise Ireland. Enterprise Ireland has the supports to help our companies take their innovative solutions from the concept stage, right through to the marketplace. There’s a very supportive environment in Ireland, and ways to ensure that innovative ideas get every opportunity to develop and succeed.”  

Bringing investment to Ireland / IDA

Rachel Shelly, Department Head for Medical Technologies and Healthcare Services, IDA Ireland
“Ireland has this huge cluster of capability, skills, from device production, to software engineering within a supportive well regarded regulatory environment which is critical in this sector. There is a vibrant ecosystem for international and indigenous companies in the life sciences to evolve and develop their operations.”

“I think we are very unique as a location in this respect. In addition, there are attractive supports provided in Ireland such as the 25% research and development (R&D) tax credit, and grants which helps to incentivise innovation in business. And of course, support from the enterprise agencies such as IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. Many companies have completely transformed their activities over time from pure manufacturing operations to include product/process innovation centres of excellence, and increasingly adding Global Business Services activities… All of these elements really speak to the fact that it's a great time for innovation, convergence and digital health in Ireland, and there is a great appetite within the Irish system to support companies on this journey.”

Creating knowledge from data / UCD

Brian Caulfield, Professor of Physiotherapy and Director of the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Insight Centre for Data Analytics at University College Dublin

“My research is focused on how we can understand and improve human performance and behaviour in health and sport, using data-driven methods, wearables and mobile technologies. This could be related to an older person who is at risk of falling as they move throughout their home, or understanding how an athlete is recovering from an injury like a concussion or a sprain.”

“We do a significant amount of research to turn that data into actionable information that is relevant for industry and clinicians/coaches. It's not just a simple process of dropping a solution into the ecosystem and healthcare professionals start using it tomorrow. There's an organisational and personal behavioural change element that's required in the health system… And I think we can build a really connected system here if we have a combination of political will, open collaboration and open innovation.”

Navigating the regulatory pathway / HPRA

Dr Lorraine Nolan, CEO, Health Products Regulatory Authority
“Generating and appropriately evaluating clinical data to demonstrate the clinical performance of the device and its safety is important too. As an organisation, we're very happy to engage with product developers and manufacturers to discuss the regulatory system and the requirements, and support innovators.”

“We have a very vibrant medical device, [biopharma], and technology sector. It’s all about building proper ecosystems and ensuring that we interact with each other as much as possible across those ecosystems, so that we really can bring forward our ideas.”