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Minister Lawless announces €34m Research Ireland Hub to accelerate research commercialisation
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has today announced the creation of a new ‘Accelerating Research to Commercialisation’ (ARC) Hub to fast-track the commercialisation of scientific research across Ireland.
– 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 Lawless TD, has today 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, with funding 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 will help transform regional innovation and entrepreneurial training in the Northern and Western region and beyond. Enhancing the existing academic-enterprise healthcare and technology ecosystems, the ARC Hub will deliver a suite of impactful, on-the-ground supports, benefitting everyone in the process – researchers, engineers, technologists, manufacturers, clinicians, physicians and, critically, patients. The provision and delivery of appropriate and effective healthcare is, by its very nature, time-sensitive. The ARC Hub for HealthTech will play an instrumental role in accelerating the commercialisation of research and getting health solutions to those that need them, faster.”
Welcoming the announcement, Research Ireland’s Interim CEO, Celine Fitzgerald, commented: “The Research Ireland ARC Hub Programme is spearheading regional development across the country. Following on from the joint launch of ARC Hubs for both Therapeutics and ICT in February, the ARC Hub for HealthTech opens up enormous opportunities in the immediate and longer terms for the Northern and Western region – 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 the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027, one of two ERDF programmes in Ireland. The ERDF aims 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 RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, the ARC Hub for HealthTech is focused on accelerating translational research in chronic disease management, specifically in thematic areas such as Decision Support and Intervention 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 excited to bring together regional and national expertise and connected health innovation through the ARC Hub for HealthTech, 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 transformative potential of the ARC Hub, stating: “The ARC Hubs represent a groundbreaking initiative to help drive regional development by fast-tracking early-stage, cutting-edge research toward commercialisation. By aligning with Ireland’s smart specialisation strategy and encouraging entrepreneurial ideas within the research and innovation eco-system, the Hub will help transform innovative concepts into real economic and societal advancements for the Northern and Western Region.”
Pictured (above) at the announcement were (left-right) Prof. Richard Costello (RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences), Prof. Aoife Lowery (University of Galway), Prof. Garry Duffy (University of Galway), James Lawless TD (Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science), Celine Fitzgerald (Interim CEO, Research Ireland), Prof. Suresh Pillai (ATU), Alison Ruane (Northern Western Regional Assembly), Michael McGrath (Member State) and Paddy Austin (Northern Western Regional Assembly). Photo: Jason Clarke Photography.
