In the News..

Spiorad Medical leads on breakthrough cardiovascular medical device to simplify procedures and improve patient recovery A consortium led by University of Galway medtech startup Spiorad Medical has secured a €1.7million euro investment through the Government’s Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF). Spiorad Medical aims to develop a next-generation vascular closure device to simplify cardiovascular procedures while improving outcomes and recovery for patients. The device is designed to stop bleeding quickly and safely during structural cardiovascular procedures such as TAVI or EVAR that use larger tubes or access devices. The successful consortium is a partnership involving Spiorad Medical, University of Galway and Dolmen Design and Innovation Ltd, combining breakthrough medtech and the University’s research expertise with Dolmen’s leading product design capabilities. Judi O’Malley, Co-founder and CEO of Spiorad Medical, said: “With this DTIF award, we can accelerate the development of advanced cardiovascular procedures and deliver better outcomes for patients. Our ambition as a consortium is to help transform vascular closure technology, delivering greater access, ease of use and improved solutions to the interventionalist’s challenge - resulting in better clinical outcomes and faster recovery for patients.” Professor Lokesh Joshi, Vice President for Research and Innovation at University of Galway, said: “Congratulations to Judi O’Malley, the Spiorad team, the University of Galway, and Dolmen Design and Innovation for this fantastic achievement under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund. This is another great example of a University of Galway startup delivering real impact for patients and clinicians.” Spiorad Medical is an Enterprise Ireland HPSU client company based at University of Galway’s Business Innovation Centre. University of Galway research and innovation has led to 21 new spin-outs being created and 195 new inventions since 2020. University of Galway is also part of 35 consortia which have successfully applied to the Government’s Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund. University of Galway’s Galway’s Business Innovation Centre is supported under the KT Boost Programme, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021-2027. Ends  

Documentary explores how clinical trials are transforming diabetes care through collaboration with patients  Imperfect Days, a new Science on Screen documentary highlighting how clinical trials are transforming healthcare for people living with diabetes, will premiere at The Pálás Cinema, Galway City, on Sunday afternoon, December 7th.  Directed by David Qualter and produced by Laura Qualter of Prospect Films, Imperfect Days brings audiences into the lives of Carmel McDonagh, Tony Marshall and Faye Burke, who share their personal experiences of managing diabetes and participating in clinical trials.  The film also features leading researchers and clinicians from University of Galway, Galway University Hospitals and the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, including Professor Fidelma Dunne, Director of the Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway; Professor Seamus Sreenan; Professor Matt Griffin; and Dr Christine Newman, who are at the forefront of clinical trial research and innovation in Ireland and are seeing firsthand its transformative effects.  The 25-minute documentary was produced with funding from a Health Research Board grant to the Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network, under the umbrella of Science on Screen, - a partnership between CÚRAM, the Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices at University of Galway and Ardán, the Galway-based film and television agency.  Filmed in Dublin and Galway, Imperfect Days explores – with both sensitivity and humour – the day-to-day realities of living with diabetes. The film also shines a light on how clinical trials and public and patient involvement (PPI) are driving progress in diabetes research and care. Through pioneering trials in areas including gestational diabetes, cardiovascular disease and related chronic conditions, the Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network is advancing research that is conducted not only for patients but with them, through meaningful PPI collaboration. David Qualter, Director, Prospect Films said: “This film is really about partnership - between researchers, clinicians, and the people who live with diabetes every day, We wanted to show how collaboration and clinical research are not abstract ideas, but real forces that are changing lives across Ireland. It was great to work with Ardán and CÚRAM on this project and an honour to be tasked with creating the 10th documentary of the fantastic Science on Screen scheme.”  Professor Fidelma Dunne, Director, Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network and Director of the Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway, said: “Clinical trials are the bridge between scientific discovery and real-world impact. Through the Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network, we’re ensuring that research in Ireland reflects the priorities and lived experiences of people living with diabetes. Imperfect Days highlights just how vital that partnership has become.”  Professor Abhay Pandit, founding Director of CÚRAM, said: “We’re delighted to have partnered with the Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network for this latest film. This is the 10th film produced through our Science on Screen programme, and it is another powerful and engaging example of scientific storytelling that we hope will reach a wide audience. Congratulations to the filmmakers and participants on an excellent production.”  Alan Duggan, Ardán Chief Executive, said: "For more than ten years, the collaboration between Ardán and CÚRAM through Science on Screen has played a huge part in Ardán’s goal to create opportunities for emerging filmmakers. The documentaries created not only highlighted the groundbreaking research taking place at CÚRAM, but also reminds us that behind every illness or diagnosis there is a human story to be told. Science on Screen not only makes STEM subjects more accessible to the media audience but also provides valuable insights into the extraordinary work that is shaping the future of medicine." Ends

Satellite-based Earth observation provides a unique and powerful tool in tracking climate adaptation, an international study involving University of Galway researchers has shown. A team at the University’s Ryan Institute is helping to pioneer new methods of combining data recorded from space with artificial intelligence to measure actions that help communities, ecosystems and infrastructure adjust to current and future climate impacts in the global agrifood sector. The science behind it allows assessments of even the most remote agricultural regions in the world, where ground measurements are sparse or too challenging. The findings feature in a European Space Agency (ESA)–led study, published this week in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science to coincide with COP30. The researchers mapped the potential for Earth observation in supporting different targets in the framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), a key action under the Paris Agreement from 2015, which aims to enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate impacts. Their analysis found that many of the most critical changes to climate, known as Essential Climate Variables (ECVs), can be directly used to understand and support climate adaptation action. Focusing on four key sectors – agriculture, biodiversity, extreme events and health – the study reveals how space-based data offers something no other monitoring system can provide: truly global coverage with objective and repeatable measurements spanning up to 60 years. Professor Aaron Golden, research team leader at the University’s Ryan Institute and co-author of the study, said: “The analysis highlights the vital and unique role satellites play in supporting the Paris Agreement’s Global Goal on Adaptation. The knowledge capability of consistent, long-term observations offers policymakers tools to measure progress and identify regions at risk.” The research team highlighted concrete applications of earth observation science across four key themes: Agriculture: satellites monitor water productivity, irrigation efficiency, and crop migration patterns. Biodiversity conservation: platforms like Global Mangrove Watch and Global Forest Watch provide crucial geospatial information on ecosystem extent and changes. Extreme events: satellites characterise flood extent, drought anomalies and urban heat islands at scales impossible with ground-based stations alone. Health sector: Earth observation data on land surface temperature and air quality inform heat exposure assessments and disease outbreak forecasting. Dr Sarah Connors, Climate Applications Scientist at ESA, the study's lead author said: "Earth observation data should be considered as an integral part of the Global Goal on Adaptation indicators. Our research demonstrates that satellite data can inform adaptation tracking across many sectors, but it must be integrated into the indicator framework from the outset – as experience with the Sustainable Development Goals shows, it’s much harder to introduce later."             Professor Frances Fahy, Director of the University of Galway's Ryan Institute, said: "This research exemplifies the world-class, impact-driven research emerging from the Ryan Institute and our growing Geospatial Centre. By using satellite Earth observation data to better understand and track global climate adaptation, Professor Golden’s work reinforces the vital role that cutting-edge interdisciplinary research plays in addressing the climate crisis and shaping international climate policy." Professor Golden added: "I am delighted the impact our research in quantifying climate adaptation in food production using AI and earth observation data has had in providing a direct means of linking facts on the ground, anywhere on the planet, to the Paris Agreement's Global Goal on Adaptation indicators." The full study, published in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, is available at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41612-025-01251-1. Ends