Medical Technology Ireland 2025: Reclaiming Ireland’s and Europe’s Medtech Momentum

Medical Technology Ireland returns to Galway this September with a focused agenda – how can Ireland and Europe remain competitive in a sector increasingly shaped by global disruption, regulatory shifts, and the race to innovate?

Over two days, the event will bring together leaders from across the medtech ecosystem – industry, start-ups, regulators, academia, and investors – for practical conversations about what’s working, what’s changing, and where opportunities lie.

The conference opens with a welcome from David Morrissey, conference manager, and an address by Albert Dolan, TD. That will be followed by a keynote from Emer Sherry, senior executive at Irish Medtech, who will set out national priorities and share insights on the direction of Ireland’s medtech sector within the broader European landscape.

The morning continues with a panel titled ‘Medtech in Motion: Ireland and Europe’s Role in the Next Wave of Innovation’, moderated by John Kilmartin of Kilmartin Medtech Partners and the University of Galway.

He’ll be joined by John Nugent of IDA Ireland, Emma Callinan of Enterprise Ireland, Frances Mitchell Valantič of Teleflex, and Professor Garry Duffy of the University of Galway and RCSI. Their discussion will examine the intersection of innovation, clinical collaboration, and regulatory readiness.

Next is a session titled ‘Managing Successful Medtech Programmes: Aligning Strategy, Execution and Ecosystems’, moderated by Katie Cooney of Leap Compliance. Panellists include Céiteach Mac Stiofán of Boston Scientific, Edel Browne of Tympany Medical, and Oonagh Hassett, programme management professional. Together, they’ll explore the strategic role of PMOs in advancing delivery and operational alignment in medtech.

Later in the day, Deirdre Mac Loughlin, former CEO of Galway Chamber, will moderate a session titled ‘Medtech Unlocked: Innovation, Agility, and Global Opportunity’. Panel members Paul Burke of CLS, Joanna McCarthy of Global Clinical Regulatory Affairs, and Dr Brendan Boland of EY, who will share practical strategies for navigating regulatory and economic volatility in today’s uncertain global landscape.

Following that, Orla Connaughton, CEO of Aztec Medical, will lead a solo session regarding ‘medical device opportunities arising from fda/us uncertainty’, exploring implications for companies operating in dual markets and the opportunities emerging from regulatory shifts.

The final panel of day one is titled ‘Invent. Investigate. Innovate: Clinical Research as the Heart of Medtech’ and is moderated by Majella Maher of Enterprise Ireland. She’ll be joined by Emma Meade of Neuromod Devices, Lisa Lynch of Boston Scientific, and Professor Tom Melvin of the University of Galway. The session will explore how Ireland can continue to innovate in evidence generation and clinical partnerships.

To close the day, Dr David McKernan of DMK Solutions will deliver a presentation titled ‘The Evolution of Ireland’s Medical Device Cluster and Its Future Direction’, offering a reflective view on how the country’s medtech community has developed and what’s next.

Day two

Day two opens with the Women in MedTech Forum, now a staple in the programme and expected to be one of the most popular sessions. Featuring key opinion leaders from across the sector, the forum will provide a space for real conversations on entering the sector, leadership, and personal development.

Later that morning, Evelyn O’Toole, CEO of CLS, presents discusses her journery, CLS – A Start-up After 30 Years, a candid discussion on building and evolving a medtech services business across decades of industry change.

Next, a session titled ‘Capitalising on Care: Investing in the Future of Medtech Innovation’ brings together investment and startup leaders to talk funding and growth. Moderated by Mary Rodgers of Portershed, the panel includes David O’Flynn of Goodbody Corporate Finance, Chris Burge of Spark Crowdfunding, and Michelle Tierney of SymPhysis Medical.

A late-morning panel focusing on leadership is titled ‘Innovation with Intent: Leading with Purpose’. It will be moderated by Paul Harman of the Timoney Leadership Institute. Speakers Heather Cantwell of Stryker, Aoife Plekker of Medtronic, and John Farragher of Embritech Consulting, who will offer reflections on leadership, team-building, and sustaining innovation in high-growth environments.

To close the technical track, Damian Carr of Eyedea Medtech Education will lead a session titled ‘Envisioning the Future of Advanced Catheter Technologies’, highlighting trends and advancements shaping one of medtech’s most dynamic subsectors.

With more than 30 speakers, Medical Technology Ireland 2025 offers a clear, grounded agenda. It’s an opportunity to hear directly from the people shaping the future of medtech in Ireland and across Europe – whether in innovation, regulation, leadership, or investment.

For the fourth year running, the exhibition is completely sold out and will showcase more than 350 Irish and international companies at exhibition booths over four floors, two grandstands, and a larger, purpose-built exhibition ‘Linkway’ connecting the two will contain 100 stands.

Go along and meet these specialist tier I, II, and III supply chain companies from more than 16 countries, including 109 from Ireland, 63 from the US and 41 from Germany.

The event is targeted at the medical device OEM engineering, supply chain and procurement management community. Visitors will be able to see the entire spectrum of advanced technology, materials and solutions for the design, development and production of medical devices, including packaging, moulding, automation, medical electronics, medical plastics, sterilisation, components, materials testing and inspection, sensors, surface technology, manufacturing equipment, manufacturing services and consultation services such as IP, Regulatory and Design.

• Visitors can register for free entry to the two-day exhibition and conference at MedicalTechnologyIreland.com.

Opening times

Wednesday September 24 9.30am-5pm

Thursday September 25 9.30am-4pm