The study trip was led by the Business Navigator study trip team: Professor Christopher McCabe , Dr Lisa Messina, Seán McColgan and  Cheryl Wallace, Invest NI, who curated a dynamic agenda to ensure the group explored both the academic and commercial dimensions of innovation in Galway.

The group began the visit at the University of Galway’s J.E. Cairnes Graduate School of Business and Public Policy. Senior lecturers Mr Brendan Kenneally and Professor Paddy Gillespie introduced the broader landscape of life and health sciences in the Republic of Ireland, setting the stage for a day of focused discussion on the MedTech sector.

Dr Majella Gilbin, Senior Lecturer at UCG, shared the evolution of the Irish MedTech cluster, with particular emphasis on Galway’s technological specialisation and the strength of its institutional network. Her session provided a big-picture view of how regional collaboration and academic partnerships have enabled sustained sectoral growth.

In the afternoon, Maria Doherty of Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine offered an industry perspective. As a pharmacist and health economist working in market access and government affairs, Maria gave an insightful overview of the process of bringing new medicines to market in Ireland and the complexities of the reimbursement system.

The day concluded with Gilles Ducorroy, Head of Real World Evidence Services at Novartis Ireland, who brought a global outlook to the discussion. With over two decades of leadership experience at Novartis, Gilles shared how partnerships, data-driven decision-making and innovation are transforming access to healthcare—and how early-stage SMEs can align with this trajectory.

The second day of the visit took place at the Innovation Hub at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), where participants were hosted by Turlough Rafferty and the iHub team. Camille O’Malley, CTO and co-founder of Xtremedy Medical, opened the morning with a compelling presentation on Bio Innovate and her start-up’s work to combat biofilm-driven infections. Her story of research-led innovation, informed by clinical collaboration and patient insights, demonstrated the power of applying science to real-world problems.

A panel discussion followed, with Barry McCann (Nua Surgical) and Siora Maclean (Aurigen) sharing candid accounts of their start-up journeys—from developing intellectual property and navigating the FDA process to building high-performing teams and securing funding under pressure.

Participants were then given a tour of ATU’s Met Centre facilities, including engineering, prototyping and simulation labs designed to replicate clinical environments. A final tour of the main ATU campus showcased the depth of academic support available to early-stage businesses.

The visit concluded with an inspiring keynote from John O’Dea, CEO of Galway-based MedTech company Palliare. With more than 30 years of experience in the medical device industry, John reflected on the lessons he has learned as a founder, innovator and leader. His talk encouraged participants to stay close to their purpose, embrace strategic risk-taking, and invest in people as much as in technology.

Professor Christopher McCabe summed up the impact of the visit: “Visiting the Galway MedTech cluster was a real boost to our vision of what is possible in Northern Ireland. The combination of ambitious community development supported by the local private and public sectors; and the long-term commitment to investing in innovations and the people who create them — has transformed Galway into a global player. We returned home more convinced than ever that the vision for Northern Ireland's life sciences cluster is the right one.”

This study visit exemplified the core aims of the Business Navigator Programme: to connect strategic leadership development with real-world application, and to help participants gain a deeper understanding of the sectors shaping our economic future.

Galway’s vibrant innovation ecosystem—anchored by world-class universities, cutting-edge start-ups and global industry leaders—offered an ideal environment for our participants to explore new ideas and reflect on their role as future-facing leaders.

We extend our thanks to all guest speakers and partners in Galway for their time, insights and generous hospitality.