Margaret Stokes of Cook Medical; Brian O'Neill of Enterprise Ireland; Sharon Higgins of the IMDA; and Andrew Vogelaar of IDA Ireland, at the launch of the 2012 Medical Technology Excellence Industry Awards
Almost 80pc of medical-technology companies in Ireland have confidence in their own business, while 60pc of companies within the sector are positive about Ireland’s current business environment – that’s according to the findings of a new survey on Ireland’s med-tech sector carried out by the Irish Medical Devices Association (IMDA).
Marking the launch of the 2012 Medical Technology Excellence Industry Awards, the IMDA said the sector continues to grow in confidence.
Right now, Ireland is home to more than 200 med-tech firms, both indigenous and companies that have based in Ireland. The sector exports €7.3bn worth of products annually and employs 25,000 people.
According to the survey, 78pc of medical technology companies in Ireland said they have confidence in their own business, while 60pc of companies reported being positive about the current business environment.
“Over the last 18 months, medical-technology companies have announced investment of approximately €244m and the creation of an estimated 1,500 jobs in Ireland over the coming years,” said Sharon Higgins, director, IMDA.
She said the Medical Technology Excellence Awards recognise individuals and companies who are leading the way within the sector.
The 2012 awards are now open for entries from any med-tech company that is a member of the IMDA, Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland. A shortlist of companies will be announced in November, with the awards themselves taking place on 13 December in Galway.
Two categories are recognised at the awards – overall medical technology company of the year and emerging company of the year. There is also an IMDA special contribution award.
Last year’s winner of the overall medical technology company of the year was Cook Medical. Margaret Stokes, production manager at Cook Medical, said winning the award afforded the company both national and international recognition from both the media and the med-tech sector itself.
Interested companies can enter this year’s awards via the IMDA.
Siliconrepublic.com is hosting Med Tech Focus, an initiative which over coming months will cover news, reports, interviews and videos documenting Ireland’s leading role in one of the hottest sectors in technology.
