€34m Research Ireland Hub to accelerate research commercialisation
- Healthcare technology research hub in Northern & Western region will focus on chronic disease management
- Transformative initiative is co-funded by the European Union & Irish Government
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James LawlessTD, announced the creation of a new ‘Accelerating Research to Commercialisation’ (ARC) Hub to fast-track the commercialisation of scientific research across Ireland.
The ARC Hub for HealthTech is being established in the Northern and Western Region by Research Ireland, withfunding of €34.3million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Government of Ireland.
Speaking at the announcement, Minister Lawless said: “The Research Ireland ARC Hub for HealthTech willhelp transform regional innovation and entrepreneurial training in the Northern and Western region andbeyond. Enhancing the existing academic-enterprise healthcare and technology ecosystems, the ARCHub will deliver a suite of impactful, on-the-ground supports, benefitting everyone in the process –researchers, engineers, technologists, manufacturers, clinicians, physicians and, critically, patients. Theprovision and delivery of appropriate and effective healthcare is, by its very nature, time-sensitive. TheARC Hub for HealthTech will play an instrumental role in accelerating the commercialisation of researchand getting health solutions to those that need them, faster.”
Welcoming the announcement, Research Ireland’s Interim CEO, Celine Fitzgerald, commented: “The ResearchIreland ARC Hub Programme is spearheading regional development across the country. Following onfrom the joint launch of ARC Hubs for both Therapeutics and ICT in February, the ARC Hub for HealthTechopens up enormous opportunities in the immediate and longer terms for the Northern and Westernregion – its citizens and its healthcare, research and enterprise communities.”
The ARC Hub for HealthTech is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through theNorthern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027, one of two ERDF programmes in Ireland. The ERDFaims to promote economic, social and territorial cohesion across all European regions.
Led by Prof. Garry Duffy of University of Galway, in collaboration with Atlantic Technological University and RCSIUniversity of Medicine and Health Sciences, the ARC Hub for HealthTech is focused on accelerating translationalresearch in chronic disease management, specifically in thematic areas such as Decision Support andIntervention planning, Smart Implants, Advanced Wearables, Novel Sensors, and Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning models.
Speaking of the announcement, Prof. Garry Duffy, Director of the ARC Hub for HealthTech, stated: “We’re excitedto bring together regional and national expertise and connected health innovation through the ARC Hub forHealthTech, creating solutions that will transform how we manage chronic disease in our communities.”
Conall McGettigan, Director of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, emphasised the transformativepotential of the ARC Hub, stating: “The ARC Hubs represent a groundbreaking initiative to help driveregional development by fast- tracking early-stage, cutting-edge research toward commercialisation. By aligning with Ireland’s smart specialisation strategy and encouraging entrepreneurial ideas within theresearch and innovation eco-system, the Hub will help transform innovative concepts into real economicand societal advancements for the Northern and Western Region.”
