December University’s Institute for Clinical Trials wins 2025 Collaboration in Medtech Award

University of Galway’s Institute for Clinical Trials has been awarded the 2025 Collaboration in Medtech Award at the Irish Medtech Awards. 

The accolade recognises the Institute’s outstanding leadership in advancing early-stage medtech innovation through high-impact clinical partnerships, including the establishment of the Hypercare initiative to supports partners in the clinical trials approval process.  

It is the second year in a row in which University of Galway has won the Collaboration in Medtech Award.  

Established in 2023, the Institute for Clinical Trials is focused on transformation of the clinical research landscape in Ireland by creating an environment where scientific advances are translated into improved care for patients. 

The 2025 Collaboration in Medtech Award was secured for the Institute’s Hypercare initiative, which has been developed to transform how early-stage medtech trials are delivered in Ireland. The initiative is a national pilot, designed to support  industry collaborators in navigating complex approval processes for a clinical trial, from ethics and regulatory submission to system requirements of the Health Service Executive, through to initial patient enrolment.  

Aligned with the mission of the Institute for Clinical Trials, this project drives excellence, inclusivity, and need-driven research to improve global health outcomes. Clinical trials increase the opportunities of patients to have early access to innovative treatments that could improve, extend or even save their lives.  Encouraging more research must be a priority for those bodies charged with improving the nation’s health and the Hypercare initiative seeks to support this by ensuring Ireland is a location of choice for early feasibility/phase MedTech trial conduct and delivery. The Hypercare project aims to highlight positive changes in the delivery of clinical research in Ireland, attracting further interest and investment from MedTech stakeholders nationally and internationally.

            Professor Fidelma Dunne, Director of the Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway, said: "It is a real honour for the Institute to win the 2025 Collaboration in Medtech Award. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do at the Institute for Clinical Trials, and this recognition reflects the commitment of our team and our partners.  

“The Hypercare initiative stands out as the model for academic–industry collaboration, advancing innovation while upholding the highest clinical and regulatory standards. By working closely with innovators, from early-stage start-ups to global leaders, we are making great strides in demonstrating where Ireland can lead in the world of clinical trials as well as accelerating the delivery of new technologies that can truly improve patient outcomes at home and across the globe."           

Hypercare has successfully supported four companies to date through the pilot, two of which have launched a first-in-human use of their device in Ireland – Medtronic and Intervene.  

By bringing together clinical expertise, regulatory guidance, and real-world testing, the Institute helps partners move through approvals in a more structured and predictable process and therefore more quickly through early clinical validation with the hope of bringing new helathcare solutions to patients in Ireland and beyond. 

The Collaboration in Medtech Award celebrates the Institute’s success in forging partnerships that strengthen Ireland’s position in medtech and support a more collaborative, efficient, and innovative approach to clinical research. 

Irish Medtech, the Ibec group that represents the medtech sector, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland held the awards as part of Medtech Rising, an annual conference for the sector held this year at The Galmont Hotel in Galway. 

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