Celtic Network Responds to Need for Collaboration

An €11.96M EU-funded Ireland-Wales life science network led by Swansea University’s Medical School, has been applauded by the Welsh Government’s Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford for its aims to connect Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with world leading Higher Educational Institutions in collaboration focusing on Precision Medicine (diagnostics, devices & therapeutics), Regenerative Medicine and Bio-Compatibility & Safety Evaluation.

The Celtic Advanced Life Science Innovation Network (CALIN), will offer partnerships between six world-class universities including Bangor, Cardiff and Swansea Universities in Wales; University College Dublin, The National University of Ireland Galway and Tyndall National Institute and the University College Cork in Ireland, as well as to global healthcare leaders Unilever and GE Healthcare. Businesses will have access to a powerful knowledge base and technological infrastructure to accelerate innovation, as well as key stakeholders including those involved in supply chains, route to market and end-user healthcare providers.

CALIN’s aim is to drive smart sustainable growth in Advanced Life Sciences in both Wales and Ireland, by undertaking a large number of collaborative R&D projects and through these generating new jobs and attracting investors into the cross-border regions. “Life science is a key sector in Wales and Ireland and this funding will support research and development, which is vital to the creation of new products, technology and jobs, said Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford. “It is excellent news for more than 240 small and medium-sized businesses and I’m delighted that expertise in the participating universities will be shared and used across both our countries.”

Irish Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe said: “The Ireland-Wales programme shows how EU funding can contribute to successful cross-border cooperation – in this case across our maritime border with the UK. The CALIN project is an excellent example of how it supports research and development in universities for the benefit of enterprises of all sizes, leading to new jobs and further investment in new technologies.

“This announcement shows funding under the Ireland-Wales programme is going ahead and that programme beneficiaries can plan for the future with confidence. The Irish Government strongly supports the programme and is committed to its successful implementation.”

Further information from www.calin.wales and www.calin.ie