Call for IPCEI on Health now open

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar T.D. and the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly T.D., are inviting businesses and research organisations working in the areas of biopharma, MedTech and health to express their interest in being included in the Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) on Health.

Important Projects of Common European Interest are large-scale, multi-country projects for global state-of-the-art innovation to solve market or systemic failures in particular sectors.

Favourable State aid rules apply to IPCEI, allowing for the possibility of public-sector funding to be granted for certain projects that make an important contribution to the strategic objectives of the European Union.

This call aims to identify businesses (including SMEs and/or groups of businesses) and research organisations that are willing to participate in a project, within the scope of the upcoming Health IPCEI, with other European organisations.

The primary focus of the Health IPCEI is expected to cover four main areas:

• The modernisation of production processes
• Innovative products in new therapeutical areas
• Personalised medicine and MedTech
• Health crisis preparedness

Speaking today, the Tánaiste said: “The pandemic has highlighted the need to accelerate medical research, to build up Europe’s production capacity to allow us cope with a sudden increase in demand when it’s needed, and to push for better coordination between countries.

“Ireland is a global leader for medical device products, with over 300 MedTech companies based here, and we have a significant track record of clinical and academic research excellence in biopharma. We are well placed to play an active role in this IPCEI.

“This call is a great opportunity for cross country collaboration, for research and development into new therapeutics and personalised treatments, and, of course to look at new ways to help us prepare for future health crises, including vaccine development and research into fighting emerging infectious diseases. Successful projects will bring investment and create jobs. I encourage any organisation interested to seek more information from our website enterprise.gov.ie and apply.”

The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, T.D. said: “Over the last 18 months, COVID-19 has taught us the high cost that novel infectious diseases can inflict on the health and wellbeing of our societies. We are working closely with our EU partners on a range of initiatives to better protect the health of our citizens and to prepare for future pandemics.

“This call offers the opportunity for Irish businesses and researchers to join counterparts across the EU to address some of the biggest challenges we face. Beyond improved crisis preparedness, projects may also focus on developing the enormous potential of innovation in new therapeutics and personalised medicine.”

Further details, including the proposal template, the scope of the IPCEI, and the criteria proposal must address can be found on the Department’s website here: Call for Expressions of Interest – Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) on Health.

The call will close at 12 noon on Friday 8 October 2021.