Irish company Bánór gains clinical insight through Health Innovation Hub Ireland’s clinical evaluation
Irish skincare company Bánór has completed a clinical evaluation supported by Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI), gaining valuable feedback from dermatology clinicians at University Hospital Galway on its innovative “farm to formula” skincare range.
Founded in Tipperary by pharmacist Nicola Lyons and food and dairy industry professional Elaine Crosse, Bánór is an Enterprise Ireland-supported company developing skincare products that combine clinical dermatology expertise with Ireland’s agricultural heritage.
The company’s products use sheep milk and lanolin sourced from local farms, reflecting Bánór’s “farm to formula” approach and its ambition to develop skincare products rooted in Irish natural resources.
Through the HIHI innovation pathway, Bánór was connected with dermatology clinicians at University Hospital Galway. The clinical evaluation provided the company with an opportunity to gather structured feedback from healthcare professionals on its product range and its potential applications.
The feedback was particularly positive around the products’ hydration, texture, feel and usability. Clinicians identified potential value in the products as supportive skincare for people experiencing dry, sensitive or compromised skin.
For Bánór, the evaluation also provided practical insights to help inform the next stage of product development. Areas identified for further consideration included the development of fragrance-free formulations, patient sampling and the continued generation of clinical evidence to support the products.
For a growing Irish company, access to specialist clinical expertise can provide valuable insight into how products may be received and used within healthcare settings. The collaboration between Bánór and the dermatology team at University Hospital Galway demonstrates how connections between healthcare and enterprise can help innovative companies strengthen their products and build an evidence base for future development.
Speaking about HIHI’s valuable support Nicola Lyons, Co-founder, Bánór said:
“Partnering with Health Innovation Hub Ireland for our clinical evaluation was a pivotal step for Bánór. As a small Irish company, gaining structured, expert feedback from dermatology clinicians at University Hospital Galway gave us insights we simply couldn’t have accessed on our own. The process validated the clinical relevance of our sheep milk and lanolin formulations, while also giving us clear, actionable direction. Equally valuable was the enthusiasm from clinicians to continue collaborating through real-world patient sampling. Maria Kelly and the HIHI team made the entire process straightforward and professionally supported.”
HIHI would like to thank the dermatology clinicians at University Hospital Galway for sharing their expertise and feedback, and the Bánór team for their open and collaborative approach throughout the evaluation.
The completed case study provides further insight into Bánór’s experience of working with HIHI and the clinical learning gained through the evaluation.
Read the full case study here Banor – clinical evaluation