October University of Galway and Medtronic announce €5 million signature innovation partnership to advance healthcare technology

University of Galway and Medtronic plc, a global leader in healthcare technology, have announced a five-year €5 million signature innovation partnership focused on three pillars: developing the MedTech ecosystem, STEM and research. 

This marks the first signature partnership between University of Galway and industry. Medtronic’s investment will enable significant expansion of the University’s MedTech ecosystem and progress its current range of STEM programmes, and offer access to early-stage seed funding for new collaborative research projects.

The partnership will also support the establishment of two new research institutes at University of Galway. The first being the new Institute for Clinical Trials, which was launched in May 2023. The second, still in development, will focus on medical technologies and advanced therapeutics. 

The institutes, and the support afforded through the University of Galway-Medtronic partnership, will facilitate sustained, research-led development, further positioning Galway as the centre of Ireland’s global MedTech hub, a significant contributor to economic growth and regional development and the University as integral to research for the public good on the world stage. 

The partnership was announced at a special event at National University of Ireland in Dublin, which was attended by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris T.D., Medtronic Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Martha and President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh. 

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris T.D., speaking at the event said: “University of Galway and Medtronic have enjoyed a long-standing and rewarding relationship. This ambitious, five-year, campus-wide partnership will significantly advance their existing collaboration, and will also help to launch bold new initiatives that will have significant impact for Galway, Ireland, and the world. Ireland’s place at the vanguard of healthcare technology development is secured by investing in the next generation of talent, in tandem with collaborations like this that bring industry, clinicians and academics together to pioneer treatments of the future.”

Geoff Martha, Medtronic Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: “One of the crucial tenets of the Medtronic Mission is to foster good citizenship, and we hope that this investment with University of Galway in Ireland’s workforce, research, community, and education will pave the way for long-term, meaningful effects on patient outcomes and economic growth. Medtronic has a wealth of technologies at our disposal, but we can’t do it alone – a highly-educated and skilled workforce is critical to pioneering the treatments of tomorrow. Graduates of University of Galway play an important role in many facets of Medtronic’s operations, and I’m certain that students involved in this partnership will go on to create life-transforming advancements in healthcare technology.”

President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said: “At University of Galway, we are deeply conscious of our role and work for the public good and we are delighted that the focus which we place on that has helped us to develop such a strong and committed relationship with Medtronic. This landmark partnership that is being announced today is a fitting complement to our values, which we live and work by, respect for patients, excellence in everything we do, openness in and for the world, sustaining the next generation. We welcome the opportunity to expand our relationship with Medtronic as we pursue learning, research and innovation with a commitment to making a difference locally and globally. We are both organisations committed to impact with purpose, with and for people in profound need.”   

The new University of Galway-Medtronic partnership will be transformative, ensuring Galway is attractive to global talent and advancing and accelerating basic and applied medical technologies research at the highest level to help more patients.  

Ends