The Irish Medtech Association, the Ibec group that represents the medtech sector, has announced the finalists for Medtech Rising: The Irish Medtech Awards 2021, hosted jointly with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. 

Irish Medtech association director Sinead Keogh said: “Medtech saves and improves lives. We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our thriving, dynamic medtech ecosystem with the Irish Medtech Awards 2021. The sector has remained resilient despite the challenges of the Covid pandemic, with over 42,000 people now working in the industry, across 450 companies. 

“This year’s awards will showcase how medtech manufacturers and their staff have been working tirelessly to provide vital medical technologies to tackle the global COVID pandemic, with a record number of entries in the category of COVID-19 Response Recognition Award. This year also sees the introduction of a new sustainability award to recognise the sector’s ambition towards not only driving sustainable healthcare, but also sustainable enterprises.” 

Enterprise Ireland’s manager of life sciences, Deirdre Glenn added: “The Irish Medtech Awards are a great opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the strength of the uniquely collaborative medtech ecosystem and the world-class innovation it supports. The remarkable success of Ireland’s medtech sector is based on an innovative and integrated ecosystem comprising ambitious innovative companies, from start-ups to thriving SMEs, linking in with world-class researchers and the clinical community.

“The Irish Medtech Awards showcase the innovators in medical devices, diagnostics, medical sub-supply and digital health. The global pandemic has intensified the need for this sector to constantly innovate to address emerging challenges. The response is truly impressive with companies providing vital support in meeting the world’s demand for COVID-19 testing, nebulisers, ventilators and other treatment and protection equipment. The Awards provide an excellent platform to recognise this contribution and Enterprise Ireland would like to wish all of this year’s finalists the best of luck.” 

IDA Ireland’s medtech department manager Rachel Shelly commented: “Medtech Rising is an excellent showcase for the talent, agility, creativity and resilience of the Irish medtech sector; and demonstrates why Ireland remains a shining light in the global medtech industry. This year’s awards also clearly recognise the vital role Irish based companies play in the global COVID-19 pandemic response, the industry’s focus on sustainability and its steadfast commitment to talent development and gender diversity. Now, more than ever, I would like to congratulate the finalists who in their everyday operations transform and save patient lives, improve global healthcare delivery, and drive industry performance.”

The finalists are:

Medtech Company of the Year Award:

• Arrotek Medical
• Atlantic Therapeutics
• Serosep

Emerging Medtech Company of the Year Award:

• Luminate Medical
• NUA Surgical
• Rockfield Medical Devices

Academic Contribution to Medtech Award:

• AMBER – The SFI centre for Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research
• Boston Scientific Ireland
• Biomechanics Research Centre (BioMEC) – NUI Galway

Medtech Partner/Supplier of the Year Award:

• Complete Laboratory Solutions
• Jabil Healthcare
• Modular Automation

Women in Leadership Company initiative Award:

• Alcon Ireland
• Avery Dennison Medical
• Cook Medical

COVID-19 Response Recognition Award:

• Aerogen
• Harmac Medical Products
• Serosep

eHealth Innovation of the Year Award:

• ASSERT Centre – University College Cork
• VERTIGENIUS

Sustainable Medtech Company of the Year Award: 

• Alcon Ireland
• Jabil Healthcare 

Best Talent Strategy in Medtech Award: 

• Boston Scientific Cork
• West 

Winners from the shortlisted entries were chosen by six independent panels of judges, composed of experts from CEOs and founders and experts from right across the medtech ecosystem. Over 60 entries from across Ireland entered this year’s awards and winners will be announced at a virtual Awards Broadcast, taking place on 2nd December 2021.