New medical device centre to open in Galway

A partnership between universities and industrial companies in Ireland has resulted in a new research centre opening in NUI Galway, according to the Irish Times.

The Cúram centre for medical device research is a €68 million investment from Science Foundation Ireland, industrial companies including, Aerogen, Boston Scientific, Cook Medical, Medtronic, Mylan, Neuravi, Stryker Instruments and the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme.

The centre has six academic partners including UCD, Trinity College, Dublin, Universities of Limerick, University College Cork, the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and the National University of Ireland Galway.

The centre will be opened by minister for jobs, enterprise and innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor.

The Cúram centre will focus on areas of research such as combinational and advanced deliver devices, enhancement of current implants, assessment of implants and devices and more. The centre aims to improve patient health outcomes be developing implantable medical devices.

The centre represents another strong investment for Ireland’s economy and the country’s medtech industry, which employs over 29,000 people and delivers €12.6 billion worth of exports.

Scientific director, professor Abhay Pandit 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.”