The Irish Medtech Association, the Ibec group that represents the medtech sector, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland has announced the winners of the Irish Medtech Awards. The accolade of Medtech Company of the Year was awarded to Deciphex.

Dr Eoghan Ó Faoláin, Irish Medtech Association, director, said: “I am happy to recognise Deciphex as the Medtech Company of the Year 2023 in recognition of their work redefining the future of pathology with its fully digital remote expert subspeciality pathology service that enables remote access to experts, eliminates the need for physical samples to be transported miles for diagnoses, and dramatically reducing wait times. Not only is benefiting patients in Europe, it’s also addressing global healthcare disparities in low and Low Middle-Income Countries, such as Trinidad and Tobago and Kenya.”

Donal O’Shea, CEO at Deciphex commented: “We are dedicated to democratising access to high-quality pathology services globally. Our innovative platforms, Patholytix and Diagnexia, leverage advanced technology and AI to bridge gaps in healthcare accessibility. Being a finalist for the Irish Medtech Awards’ Company of the Year recognises our commitment to enhancing healthcare through digital innovation. Winning this award would affirm our role in transforming pathology services, ensuring broader and more equitable access to essential diagnostics, and ultimately improving patient care worldwide.”

Ciara Finlay, Irish Medtech Association, senior executive added: “Our vision is to enable Ireland to become a recognised global hub for digital health, so it gives me great pleasure to reveal that Dublin-based SME Deciphex is the winner of the Digital Health Innovation of the Year Award. Deciphex’s ‘Diagnexia’ offers a regulated platform to address a shortage of pathology subspecialty experts by connecting laboratories worldwide to enable efficient triaging of colorectal cases by predicting the severity of cases and its AI servers acting as a second pair for pathologists.”

Commenting on the Best Process-Product Innovation Award winner Dr Eoghan Ó Faoláin said: “Leading science and technology company Merck stood out thanks to the EviView initiative that optimises operations, promotes sustainability, and embodies a forward-thinking strategy that aligns with it vision to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day.”

Garrett Murray, Enterprise Ireland, head of lifesciences, said: “It is great to see Enterprise Ireland supported medtech companies scaling and being recognised for their success and ambition. Nua Surgical won the Emerging Medtech Company of the Year Award for its patented surgical instrument that facilitates superior access to the uterus during caesarean delivery. This is the most frequent major surgery in the world, and Nua Surgical aims to reduce surgical risk factors that can lead to serious maternal or infant complications. Another innovative start-up is Symphysis Medical which is offering greater independence to patients with cancer who suffer from a build-up of fluid in the chest. Their work with VOICE and the National Centre for Ageing (NICA) to get expert insight alongside an understanding of the needs older adults and caregivers has led to their winning the Collaboration in Medtech Award 2023.

“The depth and breadth of the Irish medtech ecosystem is fundamental to our success. Croom Medical specialises in orthopaedic implants and medical devices offering state-of-the art manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing and data analytics to cutting-edge, customised, deliver products that improve patient lives for which it was recognised with the Medtech Partner/Supplier of the Year Award.”

John Nugent, IDA Ireland manager Medical Technologies Department, commented: “Global leader 3M Healthcare were awarded the Best Diversity and Representation Company Initiative Award. The Irish site a key representative on its Diversity and Inclusion Team that oversees 3M’s policies, programmes, and practices, and has also been involved in the REAL (Reflect, Empathise, Act, Learn) Allyship training that has reached over 70,000 employees globally and tracks progress on key indicators with its dedicated Inclusion Dashboard. Another award recognising the importance of employee engagement and wellbeing is the Best Talent Strategy in Medtech Award. Aerogen is a globally renowned world leader in aerosol drug delivery that is benefiting 20 million patients in 80 countries worldwide. While it’s history is 25 years long, in the last 5 years it’s seen incredible expansion with its workforce growing by 318%, reaching 500 employees across 28 countries. The company’s talent strategy reflects their dedication to nurturing and empowering people and continues to be critical as Aerogen progresses on this journey.”

Nugent concluded that as well as nurturing talent, sustainability is core factor for success in this industry dedicated to transforming lives. 

“This year’s Sustainable Medtech Company of the Year Award was won by Medtronic Vascular Galway. Medtronic is the world’s largest medical technology company employing over 100,000 people globally, to develop technologies that to treat more than 30 chronic diseases. As it seeks to improve human welfare its investing substantially in sustainable energy solutions in the Medtronic Parkmore Galway, with the support of an energy teams across the site who worked to reduce energy consumption and heighten the awareness of sustainability as they pursue the goal of zero carbon emissions.”

Winners of the Medtech Rising Irish Medtech Awards 2023

Medtech Company of the Year Award: Deciphex

Emerging Medtech Company of the Year Award: Nua Surgical Limited

Collaboration in Medtech Award: Symphysis Medical

Medtech Partner/Supplier of the Year Award: Croom Medical

Digital Health Innovation of the Year Award: Deciphex

Best Diversity and Representation Company Initiative Award: 3M Healthcare

Best Talent Strategy in Medtech Award: Aerogen

Best Process-Product Innovation in Medtech Award: Merck

Sustainable Medtech Company of the Year Award: Medtronic Vascular Galway