MedPhab launched to develop novel medical devices

The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on the importance of the medtech industry’s ability to develop new solutions quickly in response to an urgent need. Researching and developing novel medical devices can take many years and for some companies, especially SMEs, as the associated costs, often in millions, are hugely prohibitive. The launch of MedPhab, Europe’s first pilot line for photonic-based medical devices, will leverage the experience, knowledge and capabilities of its research and business partners to drive collaboration, reduce R&D costs and accelerate commercialisation.

Photonics is the science of light and is fast becoming a key enabler for the advancement of medical devices. From its use in non-invasively monitoring the lung function of babies to enabling tissue recognition to distinguish between a tumour and healthy brain tissue, light is being used to improve treatment and diagnosis for patients around the world.

IPIC, the SFI Research Centre for Photonics, led by researchers at Tyndall National Institute, UCC, play both a technical and commercial role in MedPhab. Funded by Horizon 2020, the initiative was launched to support companies around the world to make novel photonic-based medical devices quicker, cheaper and more efficiently.

Dr David McGovern, Senior Business Development Manager, IPIC, explains, “MedPhab brings together international expertise from research and technology organisations with medtech industry leaders including Stryker European Operations Limited, Philips Engineering Solutions, Radisens Diagnostics and Antelope Dx to accelerate the commercialisation of photonic-based diagnostic devices and instruments. Photonics has been a game changer for the medtech industry, driving innovation and advancements for both clinicians and patients.”

The MedPhab team at Tyndall will help companies develop medtech solutions through technology development support as well as funding of up to €125k to turn their photonic-based diagnostic and treatment devices into industrially-relevant demonstrators and is available for both SMEs and MNCs.

“MedPhab supports the scale up of Antelope Dx’s silicon photonics functionalisation and manufacturing processes. Having access to the knowledge at the various partners will definitively speed up the development process and translation into actual manufacturing processes,” says Jan-Willem Hoste, COO at Antelope Dx.

Companies interested in participating can visit www.medphab.eu 

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