Posts by: Eimear Galvin

HIHI PI and Director of the Translational Medical Device Laboratory at NUI Galway,Dr Martin O’Halloran,awarded rapid response funding

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Equipment to make it easier and safer for patients with COVID-19 to breathe

Lead Researchers: Professor Martin O’Halloran and Professor John Laffey, NUI Galway

Science Foundation Ireland award €205,667

Overview

The virus that causes COVID-19 attacks the airways and lungs, which means that people who are ill with the virus can have trouble breathing.

There are pieces of equipment to help these patients, including machines to assist their breathing, and tubes to deliver a flow of oxygen into their nose. Because of COVID-19 though, such equipment is in short supply, and in the case of high-flow oxygen, it may put the attending healthcare workers at greater risk of being exposed to the virus.

A new project led by NUI Galway called INSPIRE will develop new and easy-to-manufacture equipment to help support patients with airway problems while minimising the risk to healthcare workers.

What is the issue?

Patients with COVID-19 who are severely ill often need help to breathe, but equipment to do this is in short supply, and some may increase the risk of the virus spreading to healthcare workers.

What will the research project do?

The INSPIRE project led by NUI Galway will develop a CPAP/BiPAP Hood that can help patients to breathe and that will be easy to manufacture and reuse, and comfortable for patients to use for long periods.

For patients receiving high-flow oxygen therapy, the project will also develop a vacuum-assisted face guard that will collect infectious droplets coming from the patient’s nose or mouth during treatment, reducing the infection risk for healthcare workers.

The initiative will involve an interdisciplinary team of academic researchers, MedTech engineers, frontline healthcare professionals and industry working together to develop these technologies.

What will the potential impact be?

By developing breathing-support equipment that is easy to manufacture and safe to use for patients with COVID-19, the project will reduce risk of infection to front-line healthcare staff and may help reduce the demand on more invasive, mechanical ventilators for patients.

Dr Martin O’Halloran, Director of the Translational Medical Device Laboratory at NUI Galway, says:

This project shows what can be achieved when industry, academia and the HSE come together with a common goal of saving lives during the COVID-19 crisis. Uniquely, the Inspire team is composed of several founders of Irish MedTech companies, a team of NUI Galway researchers, and clinicians and healthcare workers from UHG. The glue holding this diverse team together is a shared commitment to making a real and tangible impact on patient care.”

Originally published by Department of the Taoiseach. Full award list here

HIHI: A hub of innovation and learning

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Professor of Medicine and Director for Global Relations at the School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Prof Seamus Donnelly outlines the value of the Health Innovation Hub and why education will help achieve the culture change needed in Irish healthcare

It was Steve Jobs who said: “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” As healthcare workers, we now live in even more extraordinary and challenging times than ever before. Challenges are evolving and we must innovate and adapt. As Professor of Medicine and Director for Global Relations at the School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin (TCD), I have a long-standing interest in health innovation and in particular evaluating early-stage technologies, assessing quality-of-life of patients remotely.

I strongly believe that the adoption of these novel technologies will change the way we practice medicine. It will empower patients and allow them to become partners in their own care. I believe that the Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI), of which I am one of the principal investigators, will facilitate the evaluation and adoption of these technologies for Ireland and improve care for all our patients. It is why I became involved in HIHI.

As a joint Government initiative between the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Health, HIHI wants to look at solutions for the long term, not just get by in the short term. HIHI drives collaboration between the health service and enterprise, offering benefits to both and leveraging one another’s strengths. We offer companies the opportunity for pilot and clinical validation studies and the health service access to innovative tech and devices that they may otherwise not be exposed to. HIHI, an Enterprise Ireland and HSE partnership, bridges the divide between the health sector and the enterprise of health. We apply this mindset to all of our work.

Staff mentors

Another part to our remit is to assess ideas and concepts for healthcare innovation from healthcare staff — clinical and non-clinical. Acting as mentors and advising on taking an innovative idea and developing it into a service or product. Bringing the industry mindset to the frontline, who undoubtedly have the best solutions to our health challenges.

I know that HIHI has the potential to change how we deliver healthcare here in Ireland. The advent of personalised healthcare, precision medicine and a very informed consumer-led health sector means the old system won’t work. Those working in Irish healthcare know that although extra investment helps, there is not enough available for the shift required — this must come from us, healthcare professionals across the board. HIHI can help us achieve this.

If we want to create a sustainable culture of innovation within the Irish healthcare system, then we need to reach everybody. We need to empower problem-solvers and convert thinking into action through culture change. I believe that part of this culture change will be achieved through education. With this in mind, my role with HIHI inspired me to design a robust academic offer, which we deliver jointly as a HIHI/TCD Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation. Our students become catalysts for innovation within the health system.

Postgraduate diploma

Sustained innovation in Irish healthcare, at an economically and fiscally responsible pace, must be a collaborative effort, requiring input from key players across the health landscape. HIHI and TCD recognise this and deliberately recruit students from both the health sector and the enterprise of health to the postgraduate diploma in healthcare innovation. Current students come from the frontline, policy, pharma and health industries. Entering its second year, the postgraduate course is now open for applications for the 2020/21 cohort. There are a limited number of scholarships available to HSE staff.

The postgraduate diploma in healthcare innovation develops innovative practitioners with the skills to identify and implement evidence-based innovative leadership practices. Focusing on future health solutions, students gain a practical understanding of applying new technologies in healthcare. Examining the role of health economics, quality improvement and the principles of governance in leading effective, innovative health services is a key learning. Critically appraising innovation theory and practice informs students’ personal approaches in applying solutions that are at the forefront of global healthcare.

Our students are supported to create a personal innovation framework that can be applied to their organisation. Our graduates are then positioned as lead architects of positive change, accelerating the healthcare system to one with innovation at its core. We need this now, more than ever. The postgraduate course culminates with modules 7 and 8 focusing on a practical project comprising two phases. We support our students to identify and plan an innovative solution applicable to each participant’s workplace that will have a positive impact in Irish healthcare.

Typically, the diploma is delivered through blended learning — face-to-face and online. If the current Covid-19 restrictions persist, the entirety of the course will be delivered online.

Culture change

One of the most exciting areas for me is the culture change, which we can engineer through education. It won’t happen overnight, but we do need to adjust and reset some approaches in healthcare in Ireland and this postgraduate course is part of that effort. Our students are confident and inspirational leaders, learning to create their personal innovation framework to apply in healthcare organisations. We want to engage right across the hospital structures and industry landscape to create a healthcare culture receptive to innovation; by teaching a new way of thinking, we will find creative solutions to health challenges.

Developing services for the frontline

HIHI has a remit from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Health to support business development and positively impact healthcare. HIHI recognises that collaboration with business can benefit patient care, patient pathways and outcomes. The hub’s national network connects innovative healthcare products with people qualified to test them, through usability, pilot and validation studies, supporting the development of new healthcare technologies and exposing the Irish health system to the latest innovative solutions.

A central part of the HIHI remit is also dedicated to assessing ideas and concepts for healthcare innovation from healthcare staff — clinical and non-clinical. HIHI acts as mentor and advises on taking a frontline idea and developing it into a service or product. This empowers frontline problem-solvers to convert thinking into action. Additionally, to sustain a culture of innovation within Irish healthcare, HIHI delivers a programme that offers innovation workshops, roadshows and the postgraduate diploma in healthcare innovation.

This piece originally appeared in the Medical Independent here.

Patent offices respond to COVID-19

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National patent offices, where patent applications are filed and granted, are implementing measures to reflect the rapid changes to the business environment. Recognising that timelines may be affected by these workplace shifts some allowances have been introduced.  Here KTI shares an overview of some of those extensions.  As the situation is ever-changing, we recommend that those affected visit individual office websites to confirm updates or make contact as directed. 

Intellectual Property Office of Ireland

The IPOI has announced it will remain closed from 13th March until Sunday 19th April 2020 for the transaction of business with the public.  Consequently, these days are deemed to be “excluded days” for all purposed under the Acts and Rules.

Following the Government announcement on 27th March 2020 of further measures aimed at controlling the spread of Covid 19 virus, IPOI staff working remotely will continue to maintain all of its online and e-services including e-filing of applications, electronic fee payments and email enquiries during normal working hours until further notice.  However IPOI staff will not be able to deal with telephone enquiries. For more information visit the IPOI website.

European Patents Office

The EPO is the patent office for Europe. The EPO has advised all time limits expiring on or after 15 March 2020 have been extended to 17 April 2020.  Further information on this an other implications of COVID-19 can be found on the EPO’s dedicated page relating to Coronavirus updates.

European Intellectual Property Office

The EUIPO is the European Union Intellectual Property Office responsible for managing the EU trademark and the registered Community design. The EUIPO has issued a statement extending all time limits to 1 May 2020. In practice this means time limits are extended until Monday 4th May as Friday 1st May is a public holiday.  Full details on the nature of this extension can be accessed here where any further updates are also likely to be announced.

 UK Intellectual Property Office

The UK IPO has declared 24 March, and subsequent days until further notice, interrupted days. This means that any deadlines for patents, supplementary protection certificates, trade marks, designs, and applications for these rights, which fall on an interrupted day will be extended until the IPO notifies the end of the interrupted days period. To support rights holders, businesses and IP professionals plan ahead the UK IPO will provide a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice before ending the interrupted days period. The latest news can be found here.

United States Patent and Trademark Office

The USPTO has announced extensions to the time allowed to file certain patent and trademark-related documents and to pay certain required fees. The details for patents and trademarks are quite detailed and more information is available here.

WIPO World Intellectual Property Organisation

WIPO has announced some lee way in relation to international trademark matters although extensions will not be granted automatically as is the case in other offices.  Rather WIPO users must provide sufficient evidence to excuse the delay.  On April 7, WIPO Director General  will deliver a public broadcase which will include some information on the management of Covid-19 and its impact on WIPO services and programs. For more detail visit the WIPO website.

EIT Health UKIRL call for ‘Rapid Response’ projects to address COVID-19

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“Rapid Response” Project Requirements 

• Projects should address the COVID-19 outbreak exclusively and have an “innovative” element.

• Rapid implementation of the project is required. The project should be completed, and the funding spent by the end of2020.

• The project should generate an immediate/short-term impact in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic that can be achieved and measured by the end of 2020.

• The project should generate an impact that can be scaled internationally (in Europe and globally). 

• There should be a solid scientific/technological background that should ensure the safety of patients and healthcare providers.

• The project should include elements of Knowledge Triangle Integration (e.g. university-research-business cooperationelement; research to market pathway etc). 

Please note: Vaccine and drug discovery/development are outside of EIT Health’s scope and will not be supported through the “Rapid Response”.

 

Eligibility Requirements 

Projects should:

 Include at least one EIT Health Core or Associate Partner.
 Have partners from at least one CLC/InnoStars. Note: In case of a large number of proposals, preference will be given to proposals that include partners from more than one CLC/InnoStars and have a higher impact on other regions.
 Observe the regular cost-eligibly rules of EIT-funded projects outlined in H2020 AGA.
• Observe the regular co-funding rules for “for-profit” EIT Health partners (bring at least 30% co-funding).
 External Project Partners need to be registered in one of the EU Member States or countries associated with Horizon 2020 to be eligible for the EIT funding.
• Maximum funding per project is €600,000.
Please note: 

• KCA contribution and additional co-funding will be appreciated.

• No financial contribution to EIT Health sustainability is required for the “Rapid Response” projects.

How to apply 

On-going projects that have the potential and interest to make adaptations to current work plans for rapid response are invited to first contact their respective CLC/InnoStars Directors for consultation and, if approved, submit their proposal through the online submission platform.

Proposals for new ideas can be submitted directly through the online submission platform.

Please submit proposals through the submission platform by 8 April 2020, 16.00 CET. 

We expect granting decisions on first projects by 15 April 2020 (others may follow as more budget becomes available).

 

HIHI Education – programmes update

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HIHI Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation

The HIHI/TCD Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Innovation is unaffected and will continue delivering online.  If you need more information, please contact the Course Coordinator: Michelle Armstrong – michelle.armstrong@tcd.ie.

Entering its second year, the Postgraduate is now open for applications for the 2020/21 cohort. There are a limited number of scholarships available to HSE staff. More here.

HIHI Innovation Workshops

The final HIHI Workshop in the series, is postponed for now, due to the current health situation. Many of the attendees are working directly in this situation. HIHI is keen that each should have the opportunity to complete the HIHI workshop series. As a result, Workshop 5 – the presentation workshop, is postponed until further notice.

If you have any questions in the meantime: galvinei@tcd.ie

COVID-19 Rapid Response Funding Calls from Government agencies

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Research and Innovation, in health, academia and industry, have a significant role to play in the national and global response to COVID-19. Consequently, the Government’s main research and innovation agencies have developed a coordinated Rapid Response Research and Innovation programme to help mitigate and manage the COVID-19 pandemic by unlocking the potential of Irish based researchers and innovators to join the global efforts.

This coordinated response is comprised of two complementary strands. Having two focus areas allows for sufficient specialisation and coordination while optimising available resources.

  • The first focus area targets medical countermeasures, health service readiness, and social and policy countermeasures to COVID-19. This is led by The Heath Research Board and the Irish Research Council. Details of the call can be found here.
  • The second focus area is an agile and adaptive initiative to combine the capabilities of industry and academia in the development of innovative solutions that can have a rapid demonstrable impact on the current COVID-19 crisis in Ireland. This is led by Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland and details of the call can be found here.

The agencies will work in partnership to coordinate applications and ensure a seamless and agile review and funding process, with the progress and results from each stream shared broadly. As the calls operate under a single programme, applications will be aligned by the agencies to the most appropriate call.

In dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, pace is critical and research funders around the globe have mobilised rapidly to provide a range of opportunities for researchers and innovative companies. The Rapid Response Research and Innovation funding proposal is an invitation to researchers and innovators in Ireland to support the efforts to reduce the impact of COVID-19.

HIHI 2019 call pitches – postponed

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Health Innovation Hub Ireland launched its third annual open and focused call last December, which ran until the end of January. As with every year, the next stage for successful applicants is pitching to a panel of clinical experts and stakeholders. The panel assess each product prior to  final applicants progressing to pilot and validation stage.

Due to the current health situation  all companies progressing to the second stage have been informed that pitching has been postponed. HIHI looks forward to sharing revised dates, when in a position to do so.

In the meantime, the HIHI Covid-19 Solutions Portal is open – here. Healthcare businesses should submit ‘ready to implement’ solutions, both urgent and longer term, to the portal. HIHI will endeavor to make it available to those who need it.

For further information or any questions: info@hih.ie

Enterprise Ireland Competitive Start Fund (CSF) opens

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CSF call.63 – all sectors, is open from March 24th – April 14th. The purpose of the fund is to accelerate the growth of start-up companies that have the capacity to succeed in global markets. The fund is designed to enable those companies to reach key technical and commercial milestones.

Assessments are undertaken on the applications submitted, it is important to note that the greater the progress the applicant has undertaken towards generating sustainable revenues the stronger the application. Applications from projects that are at idea, concept or design stage may be considered to require further development before applying for the competitive start fund.

To see if you’re eligible to apply for the fund please review here.

Dublin BIC – online workshop on CSF requirements:

Dublin BIC are hosting a half day workshop via zoom on April 7th from 10am until 2pm. If you want to gain a deeper understanding of Enterprise Ireland’s requirements to the CSF process and increase your chances for a success application, make sure you secure your place today via this link here.

Government supports for business in response to COVID-19

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From the Department of Business Innovation and Enterprise (DBEI) here are some practical steps you can take:

  1. Talk to your bank

All the banks have announced that they will offer flexibility to their customers, and they may be able to provide payment holidays or emergency working capital facilities.

  1. Take immediate steps to manage your cashflows

Look for scope to:

  • Lower variable costs
  • Delay discretionary spend
  • Extend your payables
  • Expedite your receivables
  • Explore supply chain financing options
  1. Use available government supports for working capital
  • The Credit Guarantee Scheme supports loans up to €1 million for periods of up to 7 years. Applications can be made to AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank. Eligibility criteria apply.
  • Microenterprises can access COVID-19 loans of up to €50,000 from MicroFinance Ireland. The terms include a six months interest free and repayment free moratorium, with the loan to then be repaid over the remaining 30 months of the 36-month loan period. Loans are available at an interest rate of between 6.8% and 7.8%. Businesses can apply through their Local Enterprise Office or directly at microfinanceireland.ie. Eligibility criteria apply.
  • The €200m SBCI COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme for eligible businesses will be available within the next week. Maximum loan size will be €1.5 million (first €500,000 unsecured) and the maximum interest rate will be 4%. Applications can be made through the SBCI website at sbci.gov.ie. Eligibility criteria apply.
  • €200m Package for Enterprise Supports including a Rescue and Restructuring Scheme is available through Enterprise Ireland for vulnerable but viable firms that need to restructure or transform their business.
  1. Get advice

Get advice from your accountant or use the advisory support available from your local LEO.

  1. Check your insurance cover

Check if your insurance policy covers you for an interruption in your business, or a temporary business closure, caused by COVID-19.

  1. Engage with Revenue

If you have concerns about your ability to pay your tax liabilities speak to the Revenue Commissioners, who have advised:
“On an on-going basis, Revenue engages with viable businesses experiencing temporary cash flow or trading difficulties that affect the timely payment of tax. Revenue works very successfully with businesses that engage early to resolve their tax payment difficulties. Revenue will engage with any viable business that experiences temporary cashflow difficulties, including difficulties arising from exceptional circumstances such as the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak.” See www.revenue.ie.

Revenue has also posted advice for businesses experiencing trading difficulties as a result of COVID-19. This includes information on tax returns, the application of late payment interest, debt enforcement, tax clearance and customs.

  1. Be aware of government supports
  • Employees of businesses that need to reduce hours or days worked can avail of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Short-time Work Support.
  • The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has introduced a refund scheme for employers. Under an arrangement developed with Revenue, employers who have to temporarily lay-off staff and who are not in a position to make any wage payment to them, are asked to keep their employees on the payroll and pay them an amount of €203 – the equivalent of the COVID-19 Support Payment. When they submit payroll returns to Revenue via their payroll provider, Revenue will refund the employer the €203. Please see COVID-19 Employer Refund Scheme for full details.
  • For those workers who have been laid off without pay, there is no need to visit an Intreo Centre. The DEASP has introduced a new support payment for the self-employed who have lost business and to those who have lost employment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. This support pays a flat rate of €203 per week for a six-week period.
  • The full range of Enterprise IrelandIDA IrelandLocal Enterprise Office and Údarás na Gaeltachta grant supports will be available to firms to help with strategies to innovate, diversify markets and supply chains and to improve competitiveness.
  • The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation will provide a joint First Responder support service through the Intreo Offices and development agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland in each region to provide tailored supports for impacted firms, with objective of avoiding mass lay-offs and buying time for firms to work through the short-term disruptions.
  • A Finance in Focus grant of €7,200 will be available to Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta clients that want to access consultancy support to undertake immediate finance reviews.
  • In addition to their current range of business supports to microenterprises, LEOs can also provide business continuity vouchers from €2,500 to assist in preparing any business continuity issues that arise in the current challenging environment. Visit LEOs COVID-19 Business Response for further details.
  • Enterprise Ireland has a number of supports available to help businesses mitigate the impact of Covid-19. Their COVID-19 Business Response Plan outlines the COVID-19 supports available.
  • The Department of Health has prepared COVID-19 guidance for supply chain workers.