University of Galway Launches New Prototype Hub in Partnership with Medtronic
•February 4, 2026
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Why It Matters
By linking academic research with industry resources, the hub speeds device commercialization and strengthens Ireland’s western MedTech talent pipeline, driving regional economic growth.
Key Takeaways
- •€5 million, five‑year partnership between Medtronic and Galway
- •New hub offers rapid prototyping and 3D printing services
- •Supports early‑stage device development from concept to testing
- •Integrates with University’s Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation
- •Boosts Ireland’s western MedTech ecosystem and talent pipeline
Pulse Analysis
Ireland’s ambition to become a European MedTech powerhouse gains a tangible boost with the University of Galway’s new Medical Device Prototype Hub. Built on a €5 million, five‑year partnership with global device leader Medtronic, the facility bridges a long‑standing gap between academic discovery and commercial manufacturing. While the Irish government has poured funds into life‑science clusters, this hub adds a hands‑on, university‑anchored resource that can iterate designs in weeks rather than months, giving start‑ups and researchers a competitive edge in a crowded market.
The hub’s core capabilities—computer‑aided design, simulation, and state‑of‑the‑art additive manufacturing—create a one‑stop shop for prototype development. Expert staff guide projects from concept sketches through functional testing, reducing reliance on external contractors and lowering development costs. By embedding these services within the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation, the university ensures that multidisciplinary teams can collaborate seamlessly, accelerating the path from bench‑side breakthroughs to bedside applications. Such integrated infrastructure also attracts industry partners seeking rapid validation of novel technologies.
Beyond immediate research benefits, the hub signals a broader shift toward regional innovation ecosystems in the west of Ireland. It reinforces Galway’s reputation as a MedTech hub, encouraging talent retention and drawing skilled engineers to the area. The partnership with Medtronic not only brings capital but also industry insight, fostering a pipeline of commercially viable products that can boost exports and create high‑value jobs. As the hub matures, it is poised to become a catalyst for future collaborations, positioning Ireland at the forefront of next‑generation medical technology development.
University of Galway launches new prototype hub in partnership with Medtronic
The University of Galway has today launched its new Medical Device Prototype Hub, supported by medical device company Medtronic.
The development of the facility is part of the five-year €5 million signature innovation partnership between Medtronic and the University, announced in 2023, which focuses on three pillars: developing the MedTech ecosystem, STEM engagement and research.
President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, said: “The launch of the Medical Device Prototype Hub at University of Galway marks a hugely significant milestone in our signature partnership with Medtronic but it also sends a strong message to all those in the sector and all those who are driving innovation – University of Galway is creating the ecosystem in which our partners in research and innovation can thrive. We look forward to celebrating the breakthroughs and successes that this initiative enables.”
Ronan Rogers, Senior R&D Director, Medtronic, said:
“Today’s launch of the Medical Device Prototype Hub represents an exciting next step in our long?standing partnership with the University of Galway. Medtronic has deep roots in the west of Ireland, and this facility strengthens a shared commitment to advancing research, accelerating innovation, and developing the next generation of medical technologies.
We are proud to invest in an ecosystem that not only drives technological progress but also supports talent development. This Hub will unlock new avenues for discovery and accelerate the path from promising ideas to real?world medical solutions for patients.”
The Medical Device Prototype Hub forms part of the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation, which was established in the University in 2024, as part of the signature innovation partnership. It will be further supported through collaborations with government agencies and industry leaders.
The Medical Device Prototype Hub sits within the University of Galway’s new Technology Services Directorate, which provides shared research infrastructure and technical expertise to underpin activities across both the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation and the Institute for Clinical Trials, established in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Hub will be further enhanced through partnerships with government agencies and industry leaders, creating a collaborative environment that supports translation, innovation, and regional growth in life sciences and medical technologies.
The development is part of an integrated ecosystem at the University of Galway, which enables sustained, research-led development, further positioning Galway as the centre of Ireland’s global MedTech hub and the University as integral to research for the public good on the world stage.
Aoife Duffy, Director of Technology Services Directorate at University of Galway, said:
“The Technology Services Directorate brings together key research facilities that support fundamental research at University of Galway. It aims to advance our research excellence by bringing together state-of-the-art core facilities and making strategic decisions on infrastructure and investment. The new prototype hub significantly enhances the innovation pathway available for the university research community and wider, and we look forward to working with Medtronic on this partnership”.
Professor Ted Vaughan, Director of Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation (IHDI), said: “The Medical Device Prototype Hub will serve as a central core facility, providing the engineering infrastructure and expertise to design, build and test new devices. It adds to the vibrant healthtech and medtech ecosystem in the west of Ireland and provides fertile ground to drive its growth.
“Our vision is to make sure we have the best possible conditions for the R&D of new technologies for healthcare. Our aim is to address remaining gaps in the development pipeline, from discovery to innovation.”
The Medical Device Prototype Hub has expert staff to facilitate concept creation, development and manufacturing of innovative medical device prototypes. The team offers a comprehensive suite of services to support early-stage medical device innovation, including both virtual and physical prototyping, enabling rapid design iteration through Computer Aided Design, modelling and simulation.
The Medical Device Prototype Hub provides a full-service, one-stop solution for 3D printing needs, which includes a host of expert-led design, printing and consultancy and is equipped with state-of-the-art additive manufacturing technologies for validation of prototypes.
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