Over £40m awarded to NI MedTech consortium

  • £42.4m has been awarded to a Northern Ireland nano technology consortium to develop new tech for medical devices, communication and data storage. 

    Smart Nano NI received funding from the UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Strength in Places Fund to scale up capacity in device manufacturing and develop hundreds of jobs across the sector. 

    The total project value - including leveraged funding from other sources - is £63.9m.  

    The funding award was made after a highly competitive process with projects from across the UK. It will allow for the delivery of new technologies as researchers and industry partners work together to develop sensors for healthcare and optical communications.

    RELATED: Derry's Elemental only NI firm to feature in UK's HealthTech 50

    Smart Nano NI is led by data company Seagate Technology in collaboration with eight partners, ranging from Derry/Londonderry to Belfast, which will enable the establishment of a Centre of Excellence.

    This will further advancements in the Life and Health Sciences sector, and can exploit the potential of photonics and nanotech in other high-growth industries through knowledge transfer.  

    The collaborating organisations include Analytics Engines, Causeway Sensors, Cirdan Imaging, Digital Catapult NI, North West Regional College, Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University and Yelo. 

    RELATED: QUB awarded funding to develop new MedTech consortium

    Smart Nano NI’s Dr Mark Gubbins said: “We are delighted and honoured to secure this investment which will deliver significant benefits for the economic growth of the region and the 'corridor' of businesses from Belfast to Derry/Londonderry ensuring a levelling up of shared opportunities.

    "We can now advance Northern Ireland’s niche capability around smart nano manufacturing and world-leading knowledge in photonics to create a self-sustaining local industry. It allows us to capitalise on the combined expertise of our companies and the availability of trained researchers and resources across our academic institutions”.   

    Economy Minister Gordon Lyons added that the funding "is a major boost for our economy and our post Covid recovery journey and is a testament to the power of collaboration and the calibre of Northern Ireland companies.

    "It will create new commercial opportunities, will drive economic growth and help tackle productivity challenges, and invigorate our manufacturing sector," he said.

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