Reclaiming medtech momentum

A major tech conference aims to examine how Ireland and Europe can remain competitive in a sector increasingly shaped by global disruption, regulatory shifts, and the race to innovate.

Medical Technology Ireland returns to Galway this September and 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. This 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 Valanti 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.

This is followed by a session titled Managing Successful Medtech Programs: Aligning Strategy,

Execution & Ecosystems which will 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.

Following this, 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.

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 2 opens with the Women in MedTech Forum, now a staple in the programme.

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.

A late-morning panel focusing on leadership, titled Innovation with Intent: Leading with Purpose. This 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 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.

Spanning 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 over 350 Irish and international companies with exhibition booths over four floors, across two grandstands and a larger, purpose-built exhibition ‘Linkway’ connecting the two will contain 100 stands!

The event is targeted at the medical device OEM engineering, supply chain and procurement management community.

Visitors can register for free entry to the two-day Exhibition and Conference at www.MedicalTechnologyIreland.com.

It runs at Galway Racecourse and runs on Wednesday 24 September from 9.30am-5pm and on Thursday 25 September from 9.30am-4pm.