Project to support patient care supported by Government’s Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund

 A consortium led by University of Galway spin-out Fortis Medical Devices has secured a €2.1 million government grant to accelerate the development of breakthrough stroke rehabilitation technology.

The funding will accelerate the development of cueStim-Stroke - a new wearable device for patients affected by post-stroke gait irregularities, a major unmet clinical need.

The consortium is led by University of Galway spin-out, Fortis Medical Devices, based in Spiddal and a client company of Údarás na Gaeltachta, along with RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Smart Electronics, Shannon.

The €2.1m grant was awarded through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF).

The project will directly address a pressing healthcare challenge, with nearly 20 million stroke patients worldwide affected by long-term gait impairments, despite rehabilitation. Stroke-related treatment and care costs are projected to reach €86 billion a year in the EU by 2040, underscoring the urgent need for transformative technologies.

The consortium will also create a connected health ecosystem to support home-based rehabilitation, providing clinicians with real-time data on gait performance, patient progress, and adherence, enabling continuous improvement in patient outcomes through data-driven insights.

Thomas Gutierrez, Chief Executive, Fortis Medical Devices, said: “Our mission is to significantly improve the quality of life for stroke survivors. With this DTIF award, we can accelerate the development of cueStim-Stroke to bring real-world solutions to patients and clinicians.”

Professor Lokesh Joshi, University of Galway Vice-President of Research and Innovation, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Fortis Medical and a great example of a successful University of Galway research-led spinout from the University ecosystem that will deliver disruptive ground-breaking technology for post-stroke gait rehabilitation, which will make a major impact for patients.”

Tomás Ó Síocháin, Chief Executive, Údarás na Gaeltachta, said: "We are extremely proud of this achievement by Fortis Medical Devices, a client company of Údarás na Gaeltachta. This is an excellent example of the innovation and entrepreneurship taking place in the Gaeltacht. This DTIF grant demonstrates the potential of Gaeltacht companies to develop groundbreaking technologies with global impact, while creating employment and economic growth in our communities."

Professor Suzanne McDonough, Head of RCSI’s School of Physiotherapy, said: “RCSI is delighted to be a key contributor to this important collaboration. cueStim-Stroke brings together world-leading expertise that has the potential to improve the quality of life of the 20 million people globally who are currently living with post-stroke gait impairments.”

Shane Adams, Managing Director of Smart Electronics, said: “Smart Electronics is delighted to partner with Fortis Medical Devices and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences on this innovative project.”

Fortis Medical Devices was established as a neuroscience and cardiovascular spin-out from University of Galway in April 2024, with Gearóid Ó Laighin retiring as Established Professor of Electronic Engineering and taking on the role of Chief Scientific Officer in the new company. Fortis brings world-leading expertise in wearable rehabilitation technologies and plans to extend its patented platform stimulator technologies to other chronic illnesses.

The cueStim-Stroke product will complement Fortis’ Parkinson’s disease Freezing of Gait reduction technology, which is currently in late-stage development, and which has been designated a Breakthrough Device by the FDA in the United States.

As a University of Galway spin-out, Fortis has licensed a suite of patents from the University and is planning to apply this patent portfolio in the treatment of a range of chronic conditions, in addition to post-stroke gait impairments and Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s disease.

RCSI will contribute its expertise in stroke medicine, patient management, and rehabilitation, while Smart Electronics Ltd will leverage its advanced capabilities in manufacturing wearable devices and managing global supply chains.

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