As one of Europe’s largest MedTech hotspots and a globally recognised centre of excellence, Ireland has a reputation as a MedTech magnet and this shows no signs of slowing down. For example Galway based Medtech Company Vivasure Medical is the latest Irish company to agree Venture Debt financing with the European Investment Bank. The Irish medical technology company has received financing of €10 million which aims to expand research and development of medical devices to provide non-invasive cardiology treatment. It is the second long-term EIB financing for an Irish medical technology company.

Indeed Ireland's growth in this competitive market is something to behold. As is discussed in our round up of this year's Medical Technology Ireland event in this issue, the country is home to 300+ MedTech companies, employing 32.000 people and nine of the world's top ten companies have operations in Ireland. Ireland also employs the highest number of MedTech personnel per capita in Europe.

What's more, as the second largest exporter of MedTech products in Europe, Ireland supplies 95 of the world’s top 100 countries (ranked by GDP). Over 25% of the world’s population that have diabetes rely on injection devices made in Ireland. Meanwhile an impressive 50% of ventilators in acute hospitals worldwide are manufactured in Ireland. And 33% of the global supply of contact lenses are manufacturing in Ireland. (More on page 7). 

As Jon Condon, Rockwell Automation Country Director says in his piece on diversification and the future of Irish industry on page 5, " pharmaceutical companies and medical product manufacturers have a very comfortable home in Ireland, and long may that continue."

We hope that  you enjoy the issue and as always your feedback is very welcome.