Ireland's step towards sustainable cancer care is of global importance as it addresses the increasing burden of cancer on individuals, families, and societies
It is well established that cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Innovation in MedTech will continue to drive significant improvements in the detection and treatment of cancers, building on the considerable advances seen in the sector in recent years. However, the growing prevalence of cancer and ongoing pressures around limited healthcare budgets presents a significant challenge, along with the provision of equal access to the latest scientific advancements in oncology.
Importance of sustainable cancer care globally
Sustainable cancer care is of global importance as it addresses the increasing burden of cancer on individuals, families, and societies. This includes addressing the physical, emotional, and financial impact of cancer on patients, as well as the impact on healthcare systems and resources.
Sustainable cancer care aims to provide high-quality care that is accessible, equitable, and efficient, while also being environmentally and economically responsible. This includes implementing strategies to reduce the environmental impact of cancer care, such as reducing waste and pollution, as well as developing more cost-effective treatment options. Additionally, sustainable cancer care can help to reduce healthcare disparities and improve access to care for underserved populations.
We must then ask ourselves, how can we meet this need gap?
Ireland as a MedTech hub
A clear vision, robust regulatory environment and a strong supporting infrastructure and ecosystem are key factors which contribute to the establishment of a globally recognised MedTech hub. MedTech is largely an engineering and technology-driven sector supported by highly technical skillsets and talent. Its success is based on a favourable supportive ecosystem of cross-pollinated industries in other sectors such as Healthcare, Pharma, Material Science, ICT and Electronics, and Automation coupled with Bioengineering and Medical sciences.
Ireland is an established Global MedTech hub with a 70-year record of accomplishment as a top location for MedTech investment. Supported by a stable economic and political environment, Ireland is not only home to a world-leading community of global MedTech multinationals, but also hosts a collaborative Life Sciences ecosystem, incorporating highly innovative start-ups and SMEs.
In addition, the ecosystem comprises several key Research Performing Organisations which support Digital Health innovation and advancements in oncology. Significant governmental incentives and supports also drive research and innovation in Ireland.
Ecosystem and Talent
Ireland is a prime location for Digital Health innovation and advancements in digital cancer diagnosis and treatment with 14 of the top 15 global MedTech companies, 9 out of the top 10 global (Bio)pharma companies and the top 5 global software companies located here.
Companies considered as global leaders in Digital Health have announced sizeable investments in Ireland in recent years. One Example includes the recent announcement by Dexcom to select Ireland as the location for its first European manufacturing site. Considered a global leader in the development and manufacture of connected continuous glucose monitoring systems, Dexcom will create 1000 skilled jobs as part of a €300 million investment in Ireland. Another example is connected health leader ResMed which announced a €30m research project in 2022 – creating 70 jobs and doubling their software and technology team. 75% of MedTech companies in Ireland are carrying out research and development and world-leading MedTech companies such as BD, Boston Scientific, Johnson and Johnson, Medtronic and Stryker all have important cross-cutting R&D activities in Ireland, supporting their worldwide business requirements.
Access to the required skills and talent is a key factor when considering such investments, and the multidisciplinary and increasingly pervasive nature of Digital Health requires a specific and unique skillset. With over 40,000 people employed in Ireland’s MedTech industry, companies in Ireland can access a highly educated workforce. Stable membership of the EU provides additional access to an extensive international talent pool – in addition to streamlined EU market access.
Sustainable Innovation
Digital Health has led to significant innovation in MedTech, and sustainability is a key factor when considering environmental impact and increasingly stringent healthcare procurement requirements. Digital Health based solutions such as telemedicine and remote patient monitoring can shift patient care from the hospital to the home, while technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning can lead to state-of-the-art monitoring solutions and facilitate early detection of a deteriorating condition. Such solutions can lead to improvements in cancer diagnosis and treatment, leading to a more personalised approach to healthcare with significant impact.
Ireland provides strong government support and incentives for companies with ambition to undertake research, development and innovation (RD&I) activities and the Irish R&D ecosystem is exceptionally placed to support sustainable Digital Health advancements in oncology. Incentivised by mechanisms such as IDA Ireland RD&I grants and an attractive 25% R&D tax credit scheme, RD&I activity is further supported across a wide range of Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) by access to global expertise within Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) supported research centres, Enterprise Ireland & IDA Technology Centres and Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateways. The focus of these centres spans from medical devices to data analytics/AI, advanced materials and microelectronics. The Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre, based at the University of Limerick, also provides an epicentre of expertise centred around the use of digital technology to drive advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
As Digital Health spans numerous subsectors, advancements can be further accelerated through effective collaboration and convergence across subsectors – with significant opportunity across Ireland’s Life Sciences and Technology ecosystem. The €500m Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF), administered by the Irish government, provides a financial incentive for companies wishing to undertake impactful, collaborative and innovative projects. Several DTIF projects have focused on state-of-the-art advancements in oncology and Digital Health, with consortia comprising of multinational companies (e.g., IBM), indigenous companies and Irish Universities such as University College Dublin, the University of Galway and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Example areas of focus for such projects include the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to advance breast, prostate and colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment and also the development of smart minimally invasive solutions for the treatment of lung cancers.
Rigorous on-going scientific investigations and effective collaborations can lead to transformative advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer for all.
Authored by – Dr Simon Faulkner , Technologist, Medical Technologies Division, IDA Ireland
