Nine medical, medtech, or health related projects in Galway have been awarded more than €30 million in funding announced today.
The projects, which include multiple new therapies and treatments to tackle cancer and arthritis, have received backing from the third round of the Disruptive Technologies Fund.
Seven of the consortiums working on these medical projects include NUI Galway as a research partner, while Údarás na Gaeltachta backed companies are also involved in several.
Among the projects being worked on include a regenerative hydro-gel for knee osteoarthritis, gene therapies for gastro-intestinal cancer, a microwave catheter treatment for lung cancer, and environmentally friendly drones which can deliver medicines.
Senator Seán Kyne highlighted that almost a third of the money in the latest round of the Disruptive Technologies Fund is coming to Galway.
This, he says, shows that “Galway has a strong, vibrant and thriving MedTech and Lifesciences cluster which supports high-quality jobs and has great potential in the years ahead.”
In total, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar announced today that the DTF is investing €95 million in 29 projects over the next three years. This bring the total amount of funding allocated by the DTF to date up to €235 million.
The Tánaiste highlighted that these new technologies will create “high quality jobs” in emerging and existing sectors over the coming decades.
| Project Description | Consortium Members | Research Priority Area | Regional Location | Total DTIF Award* |
| A complete regenerative treatment for knee osteoarthritis using a hydrogel-based therapeutic | 1) Relevium Medical Ltd; 2) HiTech Health Ltd; 3) National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) | Health and Wellbeing | Galway | €7.0m |
| Outpatient solution without side effects to deliver next generation therapeutic and gene therapies for gastrointestinal cancer | 1) Mirai Medical Ltd; 2) Excelsys Technologies Ltd; 3) National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG); 4) Trinity College Dublin (TCD); 5) National University of Ireland Cork (UCC) | Health & Wellbeing | Galway | €4.78m |
| Development and commercialisation of sutureless polymeric transcatheter heart valve technology | 1) Aran Biomedical Teoranta; 2) Lifelet Medical Ltd; 3) National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) | Health and Wellbeing | Galway | €2.94m |
| RELAY will develop and commercialise a disruptive large-bore vascular closure device that will become the new standard of care for catheter-based surgeries | 1) Prelude Medical Ltd; 2) Theradep Ltd; 3) Technology University Dublin (TUD) | Health and Wellbeing | Galway | €2.89m |
| A smart, patient-centric catheter-based solution for treating malignant pleural effusion “fluid on the lung” in the home resulting in improved autonomy of care | 1) SymPhysis Medical Ltd; 2) Gentian Consultancy Services Ltd; 3) National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG); 4) Galway University Hospital | Health and Wellbeing | Galway | €2.87m |
| Develop a minimally invasive and intelligent microwave ablation catheter for treatment of lung cancer | 1) Endowave Ltd; 2) Quadrant Scientific Ltd; 3) National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) | Health and Wellbeing | Galway | €2.68m |
| Develop a treatment for chronic knee osteoarthritis, to deliver dramatic pain and mobility benefits to patients | 1) CrannMed Ltd; 2) Innovative Catheter Solutions Ltd; 3) Creganna Unlimited Company; 4) Technology University Dublin (TUD) | Health and Wellbeing | Galway | €2.47m |
| The MI-DRONE project will address consumer demand for fast, reliable, last-mile delivery using a drone. It will reduce delivery time to 3 mins and decrease emissions by 80% | 1) ÉireComposites Teoranta; 2) Manna Drones Ltd; 3) National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) | Manufacturing & Materials | Galway | €2.44m |
| The LILY project will deliver the world’s first pain-free, patient-led treatment to prevent Chemotherapy Induced Alopecia, considerably improving the quality of life of patients undergoing chemotherapy | 1) Luminate Medical Ltd; 2) Gentian Consultancy Services Ltd; 3) National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) | Health and Wellbeing | Galway | €2.17m |
