Ireland announces €68m medical research centre
A new centre for medical device research representing the partnership between Irish universities and industry is set to open at NUI Galway, Ireland.
The Cúram Centre for Research in Medical Devices represents a €68m investment in medtech research.
The Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and industry players have invested €49m over six years to the project. In addition, it has secured a further €19m in funding from the EU’s Horizon 2020 framework programme.
Among the companies working with Cúram are Aerogen, Boston Scientific, Cook Medical, Medtronic, Mylan, Neuravi and Stryker Instruments.
Scientific director Professor Abhay Pandit, who will lead the 280-strong research team, said: “Chronic diseases are the particular focus of Cúram’s research. We want to launch devices which are more effective for the individual patient, but more affordable to lessen the burden on healthcare systems worldwide.”
The research approach at the centre is designed to facilitate a move from basic research to clinical application.
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor said she was delighted to open a “world-class research centre which will be very significant for our society and our economy”.
NUI Galway president Dr Jim Browne said the centre was already attracting new research talent into Ireland and that a key part of its role was to train the next generation of scientists, employees and entrepreneurs in this sector.
