Call for nominations for the US-Ireland Research Innovation Awards is now open until the 11th of March 2015.
Pictured are (l-r): Laura Mahoney, Chief Executive, Royal Irish Academy, Shaun Murphy, Managing Partner, KPMG, Eddie Cullen, Head of Corporate & Institutional Banking, Ulster Bank and Mark Redmond, Chief Executive, American Chamber of Commerce.
Call for nominations for the US-Ireland Research Innovation Awards is now open until the 11th of March 2015.
The Awards will recognise excellence in research innovation that has taken place on the island of Ireland as a result of US foreign direct investment. Awards will be presented in a number of categories including: the Irish operations of a US company; an Irish SME that has links with a US Company and an Irish Higher Education Institute or Research Centre that has collaborated with US companies.
Speaking at the Awards Launch event, Laura Mahoney, CEO of the RIA said: "One of the RIA's fundamental missions is to identify and encourage excellence in all areas of Irish research. Through our membership and national and international networks, we will convene a panel of experts, across a broad range of disciplines, to ensure that all applications received are rigorously vetted and peer reviewed to the highest international standards. We are delighted to be working with the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland to showcase the outstanding research innovation that is taking place throughout Ireland."
Mark Redmond, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland said; "In the Chamber we see every day the wonderful innovations in US companies, Irish companies and our third and fourth level sectors. It is great to see that the Action Plan for Jobs, just published by the Government, has a clear objective that Ireland is an innovation leader in Europe. We greatly value our partnership with the RIA in celebrating the amazing innovations already taking place here thanks to US investment."
Symmetry Surgical Inc. recently announced that it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Irish medical devices company neoSurgical Ltd. in the U.S., for the latter’s neoClose Trocar Port Closure System. The company will start selling the product from the first quarter of 2015.
Symmetry Surgical Inc. recently announced that it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Irish medical devices company neoSurgical Ltd. in the U.S., for the latter’s neoClose Trocar Port Closure System. The company will start selling the product from the first quarter of 2015.
Notably, in 2013, neoSurgical had received the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) go ahead to market the product. The product is usually used for the closure of Trocar ports used in robotic and laparoscopic surgical procedures.
Ever since the product’s initial rollout, it has been getting positive reactions from surgeons and clinicians. The product has been touted as a user friendly one, which is able to close 5mm to 15mm trocar ports quickly.
Recently, Symmetry Surgical separated from Symmetry Medical and began trading independently on the NASDAQ. Symmetry Medical also completed the divestiture of its OEM solutions business unit to Tecomet Inc. The OEM business sale is expected to boost the growth potential of Symmetry Surgical.
The re-usable surgical instruments market is currently worth almost $1 billion and Symmetry Surgical is estimated to have an approximate 8–9% share of it. However, this is only a minuscule part of the general surgery devices segment, which is estimated to be worth $18 billion.
Thomas J. Sullivan, Symmetry Surgical's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are pleased to enter an exclusive distribution agreement in the United States with neoSurgical for its unique neoClose Trocar Port Closure System.
“neoSurgical has received positive physician feedback on the neoClose system in its pilot launch, which gives us confidence that it will be well received in a national launch. Symmetry Surgical is ideally positioned to drive adoption of the neoClose System with our U.S. sales force, broad customer relationships and strong complementary product offerings in laparoscopic surgical instruments and accessories."
The FTMTA Farm Machinery Show 2015 took place at Punchestown Racecourse on 5-7th February. When the event was last held in 2013 there were 18,000 visitors over the three days and FTMTA CEO Gary Ryan was hoping for an even larger number this year.
The FTMTA Farm Machinery Show 2015 took place at Punchestown Racecourse on 5-7th February. When the event was last held in 2013 there were 18,000 visitors over the three days and FTMTA CEO Gary Ryan was hoping for an even larger number this year.
Enterprise Ireland Toronto helped client company Samco Systems to organise an itinerary for their five Canadian dealers who travelled to Ireland for the show.
On Wednesday 4th February the group travelled to the Lyon’s Estate where Dr. Bridget Lynch (UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science) presented to the group on Irish Agriculture, covering specifically the dairy industry and the role of forage maize. The presentation was followed by a tour of the research farm where Dairymaster Moo Monitors, Richard Keenan and Co vertical mixers and Easyfix mats and stalls were all seen.
On February 5th the group travelled to the Farm Machinery Show for Day 1 of the event. They walked the show in the morning, followed by a tour of the show with Michael Moroney of the Irish Farmers Journal.
Michael started with a brief introduction to Irish agricultural machinery and then guided the group through Pavilion 1, 2 and 3 to point out Irish companies of interest. In particular for the Canadian visitors, they were very interested in Richard Keenan & Co, Major Equipment International and baling companies such as McHale and Tanco.
An evening reception was held in the President’s Suite for all 29 international visitors to the show. Neil O Sullivan, Enterprise Ireland welcomed the group to Ireland. Gary Ryan, CEO FTMTA, gave a brief overview of the Farm Machinery Show history and thanked Enterprise Ireland for organising the international group of visitors. When dinner was over the visiting Canadian and international dealers were invited to have one last walk around the show where Irish exhibitors had waited after the public left, to facilitate one to one meetings.
Friday 6th saw the European visitors travel to a farm for the morning, while the Canadian visitors travelled to Adare with the Samco team. The international visitors were very interested in the Irish companies they met with and impressed by the machinery they saw at the show and on the farm visits.
Ireland’s Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O'Sullivan TD, along with the US Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin F. O’Malley announced that she has approved Education in Ireland to participate in Generation Study Abroad™, an initiative of the Institute of International Education (IIE), which aims to double the US students studying abroad by the end of the decade.
Ireland’s Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O'Sullivan TD, along with the US Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin F. O’Malley announced that she has approved Education in Ireland to participate in Generation Study Abroad™, an initiative of the Institute of International Education (IIE), which aims to double the US students studying abroad by the end of the decade.
Under the agreement, Minister O’Sullivan’s Department will provide $100,000 to IIE’s Generation Study Abroad fund which will see Ireland participating as a Lead Signature Partner. The majority of the funding will be used to provide incentive grants to colleges and universities from across the United States, which the institutions will match and award as student scholarships which will be known as Ireland - IIE Generation Study Abroad Scholarships.
Education in Ireland, a division of Enterprise Ireland, represents all of Ireland’s universities and institutes of technology as well as a number of the country’s private higher education institutions. Its mission is to promote international study opportunities in Ireland’s higher education institutions.
Minister O’Sullivan intends to travel to the 2015 annual conference of NAFSA (Association of International Educators) which takes place in May in Boston, as Ireland is a platinum sponsor of this year’s Conference. NAFSA is the largest global event within international education. More than 10,000 international educators attend this conference annually from over 100 countries to discover emerging trends in international education and student mobility.
Participation as a lead signature partner in Generation Study Abroad will greatly enhance Ireland’s visibility and profile at this important annual international education event.
“This partnership is an investment in future global relationships, providing a unique opportunity to showcase our higher education system now ranked in the top twenty worldwide according to IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2014.” said Minister Jan O’Sullivan TD.
Joining the Minister, Kevin F. O’Malley, the US Ambassador to Ireland today said “If we want to build a strong US-Irish partnership into the future we need young people to be as invested in our relationship as my generation was. This sponsorship by the Irish government is a wise down payment on our future ties. On behalf of the young Americans who will be transformed through this exchange opportunity I would like to thank the Minister for her support of this initiative. ”
In addition to providing grants for scholarships to students, other commitments by Education in Ireland to Generation Study Abroad include providing sponsorship support for IIE’s Generation Study Abroad initiative and resources for students and educators, such as Study Abroad Funding, a free searchable database of scholarship and funding opportunities available at www.studyabroadfunding.org and IIE’s monthly Generation Study Abroad newsletter.
For detailed information about study opportunities offered by Ireland’s universities visit: www.educationinireland.com
It has been a great start to the year with a number Enterprise Ireland supported client companies expanding, investing and creating jobs.
It has been a great start to the year with a number Enterprise Ireland supported client companies expanding, investing and creating jobs. Our Top Story already highlighted the news of Combilift creating employment for 400 of people in Monaghan and giving the North East region a great lift. Here are some more success stories of clients driving employment figures up and creating new opportunities for people on the green isle:
Richard Bruton, T.D., Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with Lakeland Dairies Group Chief Executive, Michael Hanley, (centre), Chairman, Alo Duffy, (Right) and Michael Cantwell, Food Division Manager, Enterprise Ireland (left), turn the sod for a new €36M milk powder plant at Bailieboro, Co. Cavan.
Lakeland Dairies: 260 jobs for Co. Cavan Lakeland Dairies Co-operative Society is beginning a €36m investment in an expansion of milk powder processing operations at Bailieboro, Co. Cavan that will create 81 new jobs over the next five years. Up to 180 construction jobs will also be created by contractors during the building, installation and commissioning phases for the new processing facilities.
The expansion is part of an investment supported by Department of Jobs through Enterprise Ireland.
Construction will start immediately and Minister Bruton earlier this week turned the first sod for the new development together with Alo Duffy, Chairman of Lakeland Dairies and Group Chief Executive, Michael Hanley. The event was also attended by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD.
Ciaran Murray, ICON plc, pictured with Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
ICON: 200 jobs for Limerick and Dublin ICON plc, a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries announced a new global innovation hub which will create 200 new jobs in Ireland. The hub will foster the development of new technologies and clinical trial processes that will enable faster access to large volumes of clinical data and will enable clinical trial personnel to derive better insights from the data.
Icon, which has its headquarters in Dublin, currently employs 10,300 people worldwide, including 1,000 people in Ireland. It operates 76 offices in 37 countries.
The 200 new jobs will include roles in IT, Data Analytics, Clinical Science, Project Management, Finance and Human Resources. This project has been part-funded by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland.
Alan Coleman, CEO, Brite:Bill
Brite:Bill: 100 new Dublin jobs in major recruitment drive Brite:Bill, the Dublin based billing communications platform provider announced the creation of 100 new jobs as part of a major recruitment drive. The new posts come on foot of recent major multi-million dollar contract wins in North America and will be based in its Headquarters in Dublin and in its North American offices.
Brite:Bill provides software tools enabling companies to improve their billing systems and personalise bills to clients. It currently employs around 60 people in Dublin and has offices in London, Madrid, Toronto, Shanghai and San Francisco.
The company is looking to hire a mix of specialised talent across all areas of the business with an immediate requirement for software developers, system architects and project managers. The 100 new recruits will be hired over the next two years with half coming on board in 2015. Brite:Bill has been supported in its growth and development by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland.
Pictured (L-R) are: Sinead Heaney, Managing Director of The BDO Development Capital Fund, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD, Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland and Lifes2Good Founder James Murphy.
Lifes2good: 50 jobs in Galway company following €5 million investment Lifes2good is to create 50 jobs in Galway over the next three years after receiving a €5m investment from the BDO Development Capital Fund, a €75m fund created last year by Minister Richard Bruton.
The BDO Development Capital Fund is supported by the Department of Jobs through Enterprise Ireland, as part of the Development Capital Scheme. The Fund provides development and growth capital for established, mid-sized and profitable companies to assist them to achieve and accelerate their export-led growth plans.
The Lifes2Good Group was founded in 1997 by James Murphy and is an international, sales, marketing and distribution Group of category leading and clinically proven healthcare brands in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia.
The investment will enable Lifes2good further international expansion and will lead to the creation of 50 additional high skilled jobs in its Global Headquarters in Galway and across the group over the next three years.
Pat McCann, the Chief Executive of Dalata Hotel Group plc, which raised €265 million in an IPO (initial public offering) last year, has called on high-growth Irish companies to plan for a successful IPO as part of their long-term growth strategy.
Pat McCann, the Chief Executive of Dalata Hotel Group plc, which raised €265 million in an IPO (initial public offering) last year, has called on high-growth Irish companies to plan for a successful IPO as part of their long-term growth strategy.
Speaking at the launch of the #IPOready support programme for IPO candidate companies at the Irish Stock Exchange (ISE) today, Pat McCann said listing on the public markets has provided Dalata with access to investors and capital that has allowed it to flourish as a public limited company.
Mr McCann said the ISE’s new programme will be welcomed by entrepreneurs as it will provide IPO candidate companies with a structured support programme to equip them with crucial skills in capital raising, investor relations and business management.
“This initiative will provide effective, relevant support to companies that are considering an IPO,” said Mr McCann.
“It is a programme that I know would have been very useful when bringing Dalata to the market and I would recommend it to any growing company in its pre-IPO phase”.
The launch, which took place on the trading floor of the Irish Stock Exchange, was attended by over 100 representatives from IPO candidate companies, investors, financial advisors and legal advisors.
Speakers included Aileen O’Donoghue, Director of Strategy at the ISE, and Julie Sinnamon, Chief Executive of Enterprise Ireland. The programme is aimed at companies that are on course for a stock market listing in the next 5 years.
The #IPOready programme, which is supported by Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland, will provide extensive support over 15 months to prepare successful applicants for the requirements of listing on the ISE and attracting investment from domestic and international shareholders.
The closing date for applications is Friday, 20th February 2015.
Full details of the programme are available in the IPO Programme Brochure available on www.ise.ie
On January 29th An Taoiseach, An Tanaiste and the three Ministers at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation launched the Action Plan for Jobs 2015.
On January 29th An Taoiseach, An Tanaiste and the three Ministers at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation launched the Action Plan for Jobs 2015.
The launch was held at the global headquarters of ICON plc, an Irish Enterprise Ireland client which employs 11,000 people in 38 countries, including 1000 in Ireland. On the day ICON also announced the creation of 200 innovation jobs which are part-funded by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland.
The Action Plan for Job's Five Strategic Ambitions are:
To support 100,000 additional jobs by 2016
To get Ireland back to a top-five ranking in international competitiveness
To stimulate the domestic economy and generate employment in locally traded sector
To build an indigenous engine of growth that drives up the export market share of Irish companies
To build world-class clusters in key sectors of opportunity
The Plan which contains 382 Actions also places an emphasis on six key Disruptive Reforms:
National Talent Drive
Delivering Regional Potential
Europe’s Energy Innovation Hub
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland
Increasing Entrepreneurial Activity
Intellectual Property in Enterprise
Enterprise Ireland in line with previous years remains a central delivery agency for the Action Plan. Of the 382 actions Enterprise Ireland is leading 74 for which there are 100 deliverables and is taking a support role in the delivery of a further 39 actions with 55 deliverables.
Five year, €250m regional jobs plan launched
This week (11th of February) the Government also announced details of its 5-year, €250million strategy aimed at accelerating jobs recovery in every part of the country.
Action Plan for Jobs – Regional is based on the principle that the best way to support job-creation in towns and villages across the country is to support agencies and organisations within each region to build on the particular strengths and assets of their area and drive new job-creation strategies and projects.
The strategy will be based on the successful Action Plan for Jobs model of setting out lists of actions with timelines and responsibility allocated, and then monitoring implementation. The initiative is being led by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD and will include three main elements:
• Each of the 8 regions will develop its own Action Plan. Lead responsibility for coordinating the development of the plan will be assigned to an Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland official in each region. Stakeholders including enterprise agencies, educational institutions, local authorities, business and community groups will be responsible for working together to develop the Action Plan in each region. The first plan will be published in the coming weeks for the Midlands, with 6 plans published by July and all 8 in place by Q3
• To support and encourage regional stakeholders in working together, up to €100million in Enterprise Ireland funding will be made available over 5 years through a series of competitive calls. The first tranche of €50million will be made available from 2015. Funding under these programmes will be allocated on a competitive basis, with most funds awarded to regional projects offering the best prospects for job-creation
•IDA Ireland will roll out a 5-year €150million capital investment programme to help attract more multinational jobs into each region. This programme will build on the recent investment by IDA in facilities in Athlone and Waterford, and will include investments over the coming years in building advance manufacturing and office facilities in Sligo, Tralee, Castlebar, Galway, Dundalk, Limerick, Athlone, Carlow and Waterford.
On January 9th the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, announced the initial closing of Fountain Healthcare Partners II, L.P. with €85 million of committed capital. Enterprise Ireland has made a €15 million commitment to the Fund with the majority of the balance of funding coming from institutional investors the Irish Strategic Investment Fund and the European Investment Fund (EIF).
On January 9th the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, announced the initial closing of Fountain Healthcare Partners II, L.P. with €85 million of committed capital. Enterprise Ireland has made a €15 million commitment to the Fund with the majority of the balance of funding coming from institutional investors the Irish Strategic Investment Fund and the European Investment Fund (EIF).
This is the first fund to be established under the Seed and Venture Capital Scheme 2013-2018 following an open competitive call for expressions of interest. Enterprise Ireland looks forward to making further announcements under this scheme in the future.
This is Fountain Healthcare Partners second Fund. The fund is a dedicated life sciences (specialty pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and diagnostics) venture capital (VC) that is focused on investing in Irish and international companies.
Over the lifetime of the Fund it is expected to make in the region of 10-15 investments. Enterprise Ireland clients previously backed by Fountain include Vivasure, Mainstay Medical and Neuravi.
Analysis of the Seed and Venture Capital Scheme 2007-2012 indicates that for every €100 million invested as part of the Scheme, more than €70 million of that is invested in Irish companies, with the creation of over 1,000 jobs here.
On Wednesday the 18th of February 2015 the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mr. Richard Bruton T.D. and Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland will host ‘The Start Up Class of 2014’ Investor and Networking morning in Dublin Castle.
On Wednesday the 18th of February 2015 the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mr. Richard Bruton T.D. and Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland will host ‘The Start Up Class of 2014’ Investor and Networking morning in Dublin Castle.
‘The Start Up Class of 2014’ acknowledges and promotes the new start-up companies which Enterprise Ireland has directly invested in during 2014. It is one of the largest gathering of Irish start-ups and investors and is a great testament to the vibrancy of our start-up environment.
‘The Start Up Class of 2014’ this time will feature 102 high potential companies that received Enterprise Ireland support during 2014, 81 Competitive Start Fund Companies (CSF) and 11 representatives from the New Frontier Programmes.
At the Dublin Castle event companies will have the opportunity to meet with over 80 investors and banks, several of which will have stands, and other support organisations for start-ups.
Dublin-based medical diagnostics company HiberGene Diagnostics has secured a €2m investment, which will be used to support the commercialisation of its first two molecular tests for Meningococcal Meningitis and Group B Streptococcus (GBS).
Pictured (L-R) are: Dawn Walsh, Marketing Executive, Kernel Capital; Brendan Farrell, CEO, HiberGene Diagnostics; Kevin Healy, Manager, Corporate Banking Ireland, Bank of Ireland and Margot Marsden, Senior Development Advisor, Enterprise Ireland.
Dublin-based medical diagnostics company HiberGene Diagnostics has secured a €2m investment, which will be used to support the commercialisation of its first two molecular tests for Meningococcal Meningitis and Group B Streptococcus (GBS).
A spin-out from the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, HiberGene is developing a range of molecular diagnostics tests which will enable the rapid diagnosis of multiple infectious diseases.
HiberGene’s diagnostic tests developed utilising loop mediated isothermal amplification (Lamp) enabling technology will enable the diagnosis of patients in near-patient settings such as clinical laboratories, emergency rooms and delivery wards producing positive results within ten minutes. HiberGene are planning significant recruitment over the next twelve months to support their growth plans.
Brendan Farrell, CEO, HiberGene Diagnostics said: “We are now ready to fully commercialise our first two products and to commence development of Lamp-based tests for other infectious diseases. Both the meningitis and Group B Streptococcus products meet a currently unmet clinical need for rapid and accurate testing.”
Pulsate, an innovative mobile marketing company founded by Dublin man Patrick Leddy, has secured funding from one of the giants of the global tech scene as part of a funding round led by Delta Partner’s Bank and Enterprise Ireland.
Pulsate, an innovative mobile marketing company founded by Dublin man Patrick Leddy, has secured funding from one of the giants of the global tech scene as part of a funding round led by Delta Partner’s Bank and Enterprise Ireland.
Payments heavyweight PayPal along with US investment fund Dunnhumby Ventures have invested $1.2m (€1.06m) in the start-up.
The end-to-end context marketing platform for mobile seeks to drive new revenue for brands by changing the way they interact with customers and gaining a better understanding of their behaviours.
The innovative technology utilises in-app behaviours, geofences and beacons to trigger content delivery at the right place and time.
Pulsate chief executive Patrick Leddy, commenting on the funding, said he was particularly pleased to be working with investors the calibre of which have chosen to invest in the company.
“We are delighted to receive this $1.2m in funding from such high-profile investors. We will use the funds to accelerate the development of our product and to increase our business in the US. We are already attracting a lot of customers in this space and with this support we look forward to becoming the industry leader in context marketing,” said Patrick Leddy.
Easily integrated with new or existing apps, Pulsate provides live audience segmentation alongside an intuitive campaign builder to deliver engaging customer experiences. App users are encouraged to reply, forming a direct dialogue between the brand and the customer.
Pulsate, with offices in Dublin, London, and San Francisco, has quickly established itself as one of the most exciting businesses in the growing sphere of context marketing which essentially is a strand of marketing which provides more personalised and relevant marketing content to customers. Pulsate is an Enterprise Ireland supported high potential start-up company.
Parameter Space Ltd, a new University College Dublin (UCD) spin-out company, has secured a €800,000 contract from the European Space Agency (ESA) to fund a 3-year project.
Pictured at University College Dublin are Professor Lorraine Hanlon, UCD School of Physics and Parameter Space, co-founder; Dr William O'Mullane, Head of Operations Development Division, ESA and Dr Sheila McBreen, UCD School of Physics and Parameter Space co-founder.
The objective of the project is to develop new software capable of exploiting the unprecedented volume of data returning to Earth from ESA's Gaia satellite which was launched in late 2013 . The contract will also enable the company to create 4 new jobs.
The main goals of this €700 million mission are to measure the precise positions and luminosity of one billion stars and to discover thousands of planets around other stars and supernovae.
Since July 2014 Gaia has made nearly 100 billion measurements with its 1-billion pixel digital camera. Gaia’s database will eventually grow to 1 Petabyte in size which is equivalent to about 200,000 DVDs worth of data.
Analysis of this data will result in the creation of a three-dimensional map of the Milky Way galaxy.
Parameter Space will develop a portal to host analysis algorithms provided by the scientific community and develop specific tools for enhanced analysis and access to this data.
Parameter Space was established in 2014 by astrophysicists Professor Lorraine Hanlon and Dr Sheila McBreen as a spin-out from the UCD School of Physics. They established the company following completion of the 5-week 2014 UCD Commercialisation Bootcamp held at NovaUCD.
They lead the UCD Space Science and Advanced Materials group and together have over 30 years of experience working on space missions, including ESA’s INTEGRAL mission and NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope.
Irish company Oneview Healthcare has secured its first commercial deployment in the Middle East, winning a contract with Mediclinic City Hospital and Mediclinic Welcare Hospital in Dubai.
Oneview Healthcare Middle East CEO Douglas Collins presenting the Oneview Patient Engagement Solution to Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash TD, HE Ambassador Patrick Hennessy, Julie Sinnamon, Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Ireland along with Enterprise Ireland Gulf Market Advisor Eamon Al Sikafi and Dr. Tarek Fathey, Chief Operating Officer of Mediclinic Middle East.
Irish company Oneview Healthcare has secured its first commercial deployment in the Middle East, winning a contract with Mediclinic City Hospital and Mediclinic Welcare Hospital in Dubai.
Having agreed the deal in principle a year ago, implementation of the Oneview Solution across 390 devices at 334 beds in the two Dubai hospitals is expected to be completed by March this year.
The partnership was signed in the presence of Irish Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash and HE Ambassador Patrick Hennessy during an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to the United Arab Emirates.
Douglas Collins, CEO of MENA for Oneview Healthcare explained: “The technology seamlessly integrates a hospital’s IT systems onto one high performance healthcare technology platform and provides point-of-care access to those systems across all end user devices.
“Oneview’s feature packs and add-on solutions offer regional healthcare providers the flexibility to enhance patient experience, empower the care team and deliver cost savings.”
The deployment at the two Mediclinic hospitals follows Oneview Healthcare’s implementation of its patient engagement solution at three new, state-of-the-art hospitals for the University of California San Francisco (UCSF at Mission Bay).
Oneview Healthcare also has three deployments in progress in Melbourne, Sydney and Cairns in Australia.
Oneview Healthcare’s innovative Patient Engagement and Clinical Workflow Solution seamlessly integrates a hospital’s IT systems onto one high performance technology platform. It provides point-of-care access to those systems across all end user devices, including bedside terminal, TV, tablet and smart phone.
Through its services and applications, which include treatment education for patients, entertainment and interactive patient care services, Oneview enables hospitals to optimize patient engagement, clinical outcomes and workflow efficiencies – revolutionizing the patient experience.
Established in 2007 with offices in Dublin, Dubai, Sydney, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and New York, Oneview Healthcare has worked closely with Enterprise Ireland and its Gulf Market advisor Eamon Al Sikafi to expand its influence across the Middle East.
A new guide to support potential exporters based in Ireland was launched in January. Export Start Guide is a joint initiative developed by Enterprise Ireland, Chartered Accountants Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland to help businesses to export.
Pictured are (l-r): Alastair Hamilton CEO Invest Northern Ireland; Arlene Foster M.L.A. Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment; Ged Nash TD, Minister for Business and Employment, and Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland.
A new guide to support potential exporters based in Ireland was launched in January. Export Start Guide is a joint initiative developed by Enterprise Ireland, Chartered Accountants Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland to help businesses to export.
Export Start Guide highlights the benefits of exporting and includes practical advice on selling internationally. In addition to case studies taken from the experiences of companies that are already successful in overseas markets, the Export Start Guide offers comprehensive, practical guidance information for businesses considering new markets and opportunities.
Over 20 Irish healthcare companies travelled to the United Arab Emirates for a four-day Enterprise Ireland trade mission led by Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash.
Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, Ged Nash, Minister for Business and Employment, Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Arlene Foster MLA, Alastair Hamilton CEO of Invest Northern Ireland and Patrick Hennessy, Ireland Ambassador to the UAE.
Over 20 Irish healthcare companies travelled to the United Arab Emirates for a four-day Enterprise Ireland trade mission led by Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash.
The mission was organised to coincide with healthcare conference and trade show Arab Health, which is attended by healthcare industry representatives from the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the US.
Arab Health 2015 took place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from January 26-29. A delegation of 20 Irish medical technology companies participated, 12 of those companies as part of the Enterprise Ireland national stand. Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash TD visited Arab Health as part of a series of official and private sector meetings that week.
Among the specialty sectors represented by Irish companies at Arab Health were: infection control, vaccination, precision engineering, patient welfare management, acute care, probiotics, diagnostics, data management, skin care and medical consumables.
The Enterprise Ireland team worked closely with regional healthcare executives to develop robust meeting itineraries for client companies. In addition they worked with the Dubai Irish Business Network to set up a networking breakfast, and had a number of invitations to the Belhoul Group Gala dinner on January 28th.
Minister Nash was joined on a visit to the Trade Show by Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Arlene Foster MLA. The week also included a networking reception which was jointly hosted by Ambassador Patrick Hennessy, Irish Ambassador to the UAE, Ambassador Philip Parham, UK Ambassador to the UAE, working with Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland and UK Trade and Investment.
Over the past 3 years there has been a significant increase in interest from Irish companies in Arab Health and 2015 was the largest delegation to participate so far. There were over 4000 exhibitors at this years show, with approximately 100,000 delegates. Arab Health is by far the largest healthcare show in the region and one of the biggest in the world, attracting a truly international audience.
William Johnson (L) and Helen Johnson (R) of client company Amray with Minister Ged Nash and Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland.
The Irish dairy processing sector continues to ramp up its preparations for the end of milk quotas with the announcement of an innovation investment of €35 million.
Pictured at the announcement are (l-r): Richard Bruton T.D. Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Simon Coveney T.D. Minister for Agriculture, Gearóid Mooney, Head of Research & Innovation, Enterprise Ireland and Professor Mary Shire, VP Research UL.
The Irish dairy processing sector continues to ramp up its preparations for the end of milk quotas with the announcement of an innovation investment of €35 million.
The investment by Government and industry will position Ireland as a world leader in dairy innovation, and help to maximise the long term growth opportunities created by anticipated increase of 50% in the Irish milk pool by 2020.
Announced jointly by Richard Bruton T.D. Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Simon Coveney T.D. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, at Arrabawn Co-Op in Co.Tipperary the investment is in the form of two initiatives:
and a €10 million investment by Teagasc and the dairy industry shareholders in the expansion of the Moorepark Technology Ltd (MTL) pilot plant facility in Fermoy Co. Cork.
Announcing the investment of €10 million by Teagasc and industry shareholders to expand and modernise the MTL pilot plant facility Minister Coveney said:
“Ultimately, this kind of investment can build the kind reputation for excellence in all things dairy that creates a platform not only for export growth, but also for inward investment by major global players in the food industry. This exactly the kind of initiative envisaged in Food Harvest 2020 and I am delighted to be associated with it.”
Welcoming the launch of the DPTC, Dan MacSweeney, Chief Executive of Carbery Group and Chairman of the Irish Dairy Industries Association said:
“The Irish dairy industry recognises the importance of investing in sophisticated, collaborative research and innovation and this is reflected by the involvement of 8 of our primary processors. Cumulatively, the companies who are partners in the DPTC process 85% of Ireland’s milk pool, produce €2.5 billion of Ireland’s annual dairy exports and provide over 25,000 direct and indirect jobs. It is also reflected in the significant industry contribution of €9 million to the total cost of the initiative – we are serious about making this technology centre work for the Irish dairy industry. We also welcome the complimentary investment in MTL, almost €4million of which is being provided by industry” said Mr. MacSweeney.
Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney T.D. visited the Baileys production facility on the Nangor Rd to mark the brands 40th birthday and to announce a €600K partnership between Baileys and Enterprise Ireland.
Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney T.D. visiting Baileys’ Nangor Rd production facility
Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney T.D. visited the Baileys production facility on the Nangor Rd to mark the brands 40th birthday and to announce a €600K partnership between Baileys and Enterprise Ireland.
Baileys is the number one selling cream liqueur in the world and a major contributor to Ireland’s rural economy. The company, set up in 1974, uses over 250 million litres of fresh Irish milk annually and some 82 million bottles of Baileys are sold worldwide each year to 180 countries around the world.
The 600k partnership with Enterprise Ireland will bring the Nangor Rd site, where Baileys is produced and bottled, onto the next level of efficiencies. This includes upskilling of employees and the site itself, to increase the sustainability of the brand. The partnership will also enhance the R&D element of this export driven brand with the ultimate objective being to increase the business and therefore grow the rural economy.
“Since Baileys went into production in 1974 it has become a brand that is synonymous with Ireland and with Ireland’s rich agricultural heritage. It is now the sixth bestselling duty free brand globally with strong sales in China, North America, Latin America and the Caribbean” said Minister Coveney.
“Key to this success is the combination of both tradition and innovation. Using Irish milk sourced from 40,000 dairy cows Baileys has developed a brand that continues to appeal to people all over the world. The partnership with Enterprise Ireland will ensure that the plant, which already is the largest buyer of milk in Ireland aside from co-ops, can invest further in Ireland’s dairy economy bringing further benefits to this important sector.”
Baileys is produced and bottled exclusively at the Nangor Rd. site since 1987. At the time of its launch, Baileys was considered a hugely innovative and radical products and it went on to inspire an entire drinks category for cream liqueurs. However Baileys alone remains the single most successful spirit to be introduced in the past 40 years.
Colin O’ Brien, Managing Director of Baileys and Head of Supply with Diageo said “Baileys has always been an innovative product. Back in 1974 it set itself apart in a market that was dominated by whiskey and stout, today it is a market leader because we bring together the very best of dairy and distilling while continually exploring new tastes, our marketing approach, production, supply pricing and innovation strategies. Our partnership with Enterprise Ireland will ensure that we can continue to be a number one Irish brand that has appeal right across the world.”
Irish scientists are developing a new €25 blood test for bowel cancer, which could save thousands of lives by spotting the disease at the earliest possible opportunity...
Irish scientists are developing a new €25 blood test for bowel cancer, which could save thousands of lives by spotting the disease at the earliest possible opportunity. The simple check will pick up on antibodies in the blood, produced as the body reacts to the onset of bowel cancer.
The collaboration between researchers from the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute at Dublin City University and Irish biotech firm Randox, promises that the new test will be a significant breakthrough in the diagnosis of bowel cancer and could be available for widespread use by the end of next year.
Studies show that the identification of these very specific biomarkers will allow for a test which is more sensitive and accurate than existing screening. This means it will not only save lives, through earlier, more reliable and faster diagnosis, but because it is a simple blood test, it is hoped it will encourage more people to come forward for bowel cancer screening.
Professor Richard O’Kennedy, Scientific Director of BDI said:
“Typically patients who experience the symptoms of bowel cancer may visit their doctor. This new, quick and non-invasive test will help in identifying patients with bowel cancer earlier, so they are sent for colonoscopy and thus treated more effectively. Survival rates from bowel cancer are closely associated with the stage at diagnosis. More than half of people with bowel cancer are diagnosed in the later stages, requiring more complex treatment, with a poorer chance of survival. The aim of this new test is to find the cancer at the earliest possible stage, when it is easier to treat, improving outcomes for patients.”
The new test will be implemented on Randox’s proprietary Biochip Array Technology detection platform. Randox Managing Director, Dr Peter FitzGerald said: “The potential here is quite revolutionary, while bowel cancer is a very serious illness – early diagnosis leads to improved survival. If bowel cancer is found early, the growth is typically small and can be removed, leaving the person healthy and needing less treatment. In addition bowel cancer places considerable burden on our healthcare system. Stage 3 bowel cancer treatment costs are estimated at more than €45k per patient, with Stage 1 treatment €18,550 – less than half, if we can catch this cancer early and treat it early, then the economic benefit will be considerable.”
The collaboration is funded by Enterprise Ireland and Randox. Initial work was supported by Science Foundation Ireland and carried out at Dublin City University and the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and Beaumont Hospital. The inputs of Dr. Gregor Kijanka, Dr. Julie-Anne O' Reilly, Dr. Barry Byrne and Professors Elaine Kay and Dermot Kenny were vital in developing this research.
Irish scientists at the Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research Centre (AMBER) have developed HydroxyColl, a patented bone restoration technology that has saved a racing horse’s life by reconstructing its jawbone. The new technology called HydroxyColl was presented at AMBER’s first Industry Day anniversary held at the Trinity College in Dublin.
Irish scientists at the Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research Centre (AMBER) have developed HydroxyColl, a patented bone restoration technology that has saved a racing horse’s life by reconstructing its jawbone. The new technology called HydroxyColl was presented at AMBER’s first Industry Day anniversary held at the Trinity College in Dublin.
The research team was led by Professor Fergal O’Brien, deputy director in AMBER and research director at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). The technology uses bone components such as collagen and hydroxyapatite to form a 3D porous scaffold where bone cells and blood vessels attach so tissue regeneration could begin.
The first clinical use of the HydroxyColl was on a 2 year old thoroughbred filly that had a large swelling in her jaw caused by a complex aneurysmal cyst. As a result of the cyst, the bone in the filly’s jaw was at risk of fracture and she was unable to chew adequately. The outcome is generally poor for aneurysmal cysts and euthanasia of the animal often necessary.
The procedure was carried out by Dr. Florent David at University College Dublin’s Veterinary Hospital who removed the cyst and implanted sheets of the scaffold. The procedure has enabled repair of the bone tissue followed by restoration of normal bone shape and function. Since surgery, the horse (Annagh Haven) has returned to racing and has won or been placed in 6 of her races to date.
HydroxyColl will be brought to market by RCSI spin out, now an Enterprise Ireland supported company, SurgaColl Technologies. This medical company engages in supplying unique tissue restoration products for the surgical treatment of certain body parts. The new AMBER technology is seeking regulatory approval for clinical trials on humans. Patients enduring major bone damage will benefit from successful implantations.
Damien English, Minister for Skills Research and Innovation said: “I congratulate Professor O’Brien, his team and collaborators at AMBER for this breakthrough solution that could have real application in the veterinary sector and which could also ultimately improve the lives of thousands of people.”
At the event, Prof Stefano Sanvito, acting director of AMBER, also stated that the creation of the new scaffold technology demonstrates AMBER’s track record of pushing the boundaries of science to explore real solutions for people. “We will continue to carry out excellent research that has clear societal impact,” he added.
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Up to 400 jobs are set to be created by Combilift as part of a €40 million investment by the company over the next two years in building a new, state-of-the-art, greenfield manufacturing site. Most of the 200 jobs created in the next five years will be for skilled technicians and design engineers. A further 200 jobs will be created during the two year construction period of the new facility.
Martin McVicar, Managing Director of Combilift describes the process in making a Combilift product to An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister Richard Bruton TD, and Arts Minister Heather Humphreys TD.
Up to 400 jobs are set to be created by Combilift as part of a €40 million investment by the company over the next two years in building a new, state-of-the-art, greenfield manufacturing site. Most of the 200 jobs created in the next five years will be for skilled technicians and design engineers. A further 200 jobs will be created during the two year construction period of the new facility.
The official announcement was attended by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD on February 6th.
The company currently employs over 300 people between its facilities in Monaghan town and in Clontibret.
Combilift is best known for its wide range of multi-directional forklifts, Aisle-Master articulated forklifts and other innovative material handling solutions such as the Combilift Straddle Carrier, designed to handle large containers and over-sized loads.
The company was set up by Managing Director Martin Mc Vicar and Technical Director Robert Moffett in 1998 and thanks to the continued 7% investment of turnover in R&D they export innovative products to over 75 countries.
Making the announcement An Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: “Supporting recovery in the regions is behind this fantastic announcement today of an additional 200 jobs in Combilift and a further 200 construction related jobs.
"It is growing and dynamic Irish companies like Combilift which are driving a recovery across Ireland’s regions.
"Combilift’s new €40 million facility in Monaghan will make a profound difference to the local economy and the national export economy. These new jobs will have a deeply positive impact on those who get back to work or take up new opportunities, but they also have a knock-on economic benefit for local businesses, shops, restaurants, tradespeople and service providers."
Martin Mc Vicar, Managing Director of Combilift, said: “With this greenfield investment and sufficient industrial-zoned land available on the new site for future expansion, Combilift is committed to continuing its organic growth in Monaghan for many years to come”.
