Medtech Excellence Awards Finalists 2015

Finalists for Medtech Awards highlight Ireland's role as a global industry leader - Irish Medical Devices Association 

The Irish Medical Devices Association (IMDA), the Ibec group which represents the medical technology sector, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland today announced the finalists for the Irish Medtech Excellence Awards 2015. It's been nearly ten years since the awards were first held and in that time the Irish medtech sector has positioned itself as a global leader for the industry with 18 of the world’s top 25 medtech companies operating here. 

This year's list of finalists reflects the high level of Foreign Direct Investment as well as the ambition of Irish start-ups. The growing demand for science, technology, engineering and maths subjects at higher level is also bolstering Ireland's ability to develop new technology. Academic partnerships are playing an increasingly important role which is why they are recognised in the awards. The shortlist is: 

Medtech Company of the Year   
·        Abbott Diagnostics Longford 
·        Boston Scientific 
·        Stryker     
·        The Tech Group 

Emerging Medtech Company Award   
·        AventaMed 
·        Incereb 
·        SurgaColl 

Academic Contribution to Medtech 
·        Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, Dublin City University 
·        UCC BioDesign 
·        University of Limerick, Department of Mechanical, Aeronautical and Biomedical Engineering 

IMDA Director Sinead Keogh said: "Medtech companies in Ireland are world class, with 75% of replacement joints for knees and 80% of the world's stents for arteries and veins being manufactured here. Not only are these companies growing their business with over 2,000 jobs in Ireland announced in the sector since the beginning of 2014, but they are also driving innovations in medtech to save and improve patient lives. The finalists for this year's Irish Medtech Excellence Awards exemplify how Ireland's medtech sector became the highest employer in Europe, per capita, and why medical technology developed here is exported to over 100 countries." 

IDA Ireland Head of Medical Technologies Michael Lohan said: "Ireland is an attractive place to do business which is why more than €652 million in investment has been announced across the country since 2014. The awards are a great occasion for the industry, as it brings together multinationals and SMEs by recognising their strategic long-term vision, the quality of their products as well as innovations which ensure better patient care. The strength of the medtech sector can be seen across the country and IDA will continue to work with companies to promote sustainable growth." 

Enterprise Ireland Senior Development Advisor Life Sciences Department John Shiel said: "Ireland has a strong and dynamic talent pool with the fourth highest proportion of 25-34 year olds with a third level education in the OECD. Moreover, higher level institutions are a vital source of R&D which leads to new products to adapt to changing patient needs. Collaboration between academia and industry is a major driver of new technologies and the Academic Contribution to Medtech Awards reflects this and the scope for future opportunities for new partnerships." 

The Irish Medtech Excellence Awards ceremony will take place in the Clontarf Castle Hotel, on Thursday 10 December 2015. The awards are sponsored by KPMG, Teleflex, SteriPack, AIB and IMDA Skillnet. For more information, please visit www.imda.ie/awards. 

For more information please contact
Ciara Finlay, MedTech and Engineering Executive
E: Ciara.Finlay@ibec.ie
W: http://www.ibec.ie