Irish Medtech Awards launched as industry flourishes

16 Aug 2017

From left: Deirdre Glenn, director, life sciences and food commercialisation, and manager, life sciences sector, Enterprise Ireland; Michael Lohan, head of medical technologies, IDA Ireland; Tony Neary, vice-president and general manager, Medtronic Galway; and Sinead Keogh, director, Irish Medtech Association. Image: Gary O’Neill

The medtech industry in Ireland is going strong, with an estimated 39,000 people set to be working in the field by 2020.

A new survey published today by the Irish Medtech Association marks the launch of the Irish Medtech Awards, hosted by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.

The Business Sentiment Survey revealed that more than eight out of 10 medtech industry leaders viewed the business environment as good or very good, with two-thirds intending to take on new staff members.

A thriving industry

Irish Medtech Association director Sinead Keogh said: “The Irish Medtech Awards celebrates the strength and innovation of the sector in Ireland. Since Baxter won the first Medtech Company of the Year award 10 years ago, the industry has transformed from traditional to high-tech manufacturing.”

Noting Ireland as an industry leader in the field of connected health, Keogh added that half of all Irish medtech companies are involved in the creation of connected health products. “Moreover, one in five of these companies are planning to invest in new products and talent.”

Recognising success in Irish medtech

Michael Lohan, head of medical technologies at IDA Ireland, noted that over several decades, Ireland has transformed into “the number one destination of choice for medtech investment in Europe. This has put us on a par with the world’s leading medtech clusters, like Massachusetts and Minnesota in the USA.

“Collaboration is a key part of what has made Ireland a global medtech hub, and the Irish Medtech Awards help us come together as an industry to recognise the ongoing companies’ successes.”

Director of life sciences and food commercialisation, and manager of the life sciences sector at Enterprise Ireland, Deirdre Glenn, praised the role played by indigenous companies that are driving growth and job creation in an increasingly globalised economy.

“Enterprise Ireland has supported investment into Irish companies’ innovation capabilities and competitiveness over the years with the focus on entrepreneurship and building leadership.”

The awards are split into six categories to reflect the diversity of projects ongoing in the Irish medtech field: Medtech Company of the Year, Emerging Medtech Company of the Year, Academic Contribution to Medtech, eHealth Innovation of the Year, Medtech Partner/Supplier of the Year and Best European Medtech Week Campaign.

Applications are open until Friday 22 September, with the awards ceremony taking place on 7 December in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway.

Ellen Tannam was a journalist with Silicon Republic, covering all manner of business and tech subjects

editorial@siliconrepublic.com