The University of Galway has this week launched its new Medical Device Prototype Hub, supported by medical device company Medtronic.
The development of the facility is part of the five-year €5 million signature innovation partnership between Medtronic and the University, announced in 2023, which focuses on three pillars: developing the MedTech ecosystem, STEM engagement and research.
President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, said that the launch of this hub is a major milestone in the university’s relationship with medtronic.
“But it also sends a strong message to all those in the sector and all those who are driving innovation – University of Galway is creating the ecosystem in which our partners in research and innovation can thrive.”
“We look forward to celebrating the the breakthroughs and successes that this initiative enables.”
The Medical Device Prototype Hub forms part of the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation, which was established in the University in 2024, as part of the signature innovation partnership.
It will be further supported through collaborations with government agencies and industry leaders.
The Medical Device Prototype Hub is part of the university’s new Technology Services Directorate, which provides shared research infrastructure and technical expertise to underpin activities across both the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation and the Institute for Clinical Trials.
Ronan Rogers Senior R&D Director, Medtronic, said the company has “Deep roots in the west of Ireland, and this facility strengthens a shared commitment to advancing research, accelerating innovation, and developing the next generation of medical technologies.”
“We are proud to invest in an ecosystem that not only drives technological progress but also supports talent development. This Hub will unlock new avenues for discovery and accelerate the path from promising ideas to real‑world medical solutions for patients.”
The Hub will be further enhanced through partnerships with government agencies and industry leaders, creating a collaborative environment that supports translation, innovation, and regional growth in life sciences and medical technologies.
The development is part of an integrated ecosystem at University of Galway, which enables sustained, research-led development, further positioning Galway as the centre of Ireland’s global MedTech hub and the University as integral to research for the public good on the world stage.
Aoife Duffy, Director of Technology Services Directorate at University of Galway, said that this service aims to “advance our research excellence by bringing together state-of-the-art core facilities and making strategic decisions on infrastructure and investment.”
“The new prototype hub significantly enhances the innovation pathway available for the university research community and wider, and we look forward to working with Medtronic on this partnership”.
The Medical Device Prototype Hub has expert staff to facilitate concept creation, development and manufacturing of innovative medical device prototypes.
The team offers a comprehensive suite of services to support early-stage medical device innovation, including both virtual and physical prototyping, enabling rapid design iteration through Computer Aided Design, modelling and simulation.
The Medical Device Prototype Hub provides a full service, one-stop solution for 3D printing needs, which includes a host of expert-led design, printing and consultancy and is equipped with state-of-the-art additive manufacturing technologies for validation of prototypes.
