Minister Burke announces €17 million for innovative cancer and neonatal treatments

9th April 2025

Minister Peter Burke, with Dr Darrin Morrissey, CEO NIBRT, and Dr Fiona Killard Lynch, CSO and Director of Research and Innovation, NIBRT - outside the CONCEPT lab at NIBRT Facility, Dublin

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, today announced funding of €17 million for two additional projects under Call 7 of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF).

The announcement took place in the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), Co Dublin. NIBRT is a partner in the “Can-Vas” project which has been awarded €10.7 million.

This first of its kind in-human study treats infants with a type of brain damage, as well as expanding the pipeline of cell and gene therapies for rare and seriously debilitating diseases. NIBRT are working with three other partners on this project - Deantusaiocht Slainte HiTech Teoranta, University College Cork, INFANT Research Centre and the lead partner, HAON Life Sciences.

An additional project – LOTUS – has been awarded €6.4 million which will develop a complete smart system to facilitate at-home anti-cancer treatment (SACT) with monitoring, enabling cancer patients to self-administer treatment in their own home. Representatives of the consortium comprised of Luminate Medical – the lead partner, Gentian Health, University of Galway and Trinity College Dublin were also in attendance at today’s event.

Announcing today’s projects, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke said: 

"I am delighted to announce awards of over €17 million to two exciting and hugely innovative projects under Call 7 of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund. These two projects demonstrate the importance of the fund in leveraging emerging technologies for the well-being of our citizens. The technology in these projects will provide life-changing solutions for patients undergoing cancer treatment and for new and expectant parents where the safety and well-being of their unborn child is paramount. By funding these projects, the government is maintaining its commitment to investing in cutting-edge technologies, with consequent benefits for the health care sector and other national research priority areas.

Since the fund launch in 2018, my department has awarded over €393 million in funding to 107 collaborative DTIF projects. Importantly, the fund is giving enterprises and research institutions opportunities to engage and connect with some of the brightest minds in Ireland, to conceive ideas, build relationships and foster knowledge-sharing for the benefit of all."

James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science added:

“It is great to see projects with a strong potential to deliver impactful health care solutions becoming recipients of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund.  We are now financing 404 project partners from our enterprise and research sectors which are bringing forward novel and innovative ideas that will not only benefit our health services but focus on tackling wider sectoral and economic challenges associated with demands emerging around developments with artificial intelligence, sustainability and digitalisation. What makes this fund unique is its ability to foster collaborative research that builds strong relationships that will benefit our citizens, our economy and generating high quality jobs for our graduates.”

The projects announced today bring the total number awarded to 107. This is no small feat. It underscores the critical role of disruptive technologies, on a national scale, and recognises the government’s continued commitment to advancing and supporting the development of these transformative and lifechanging technologies."

Kevin Sherry, interim CEO, Enterprise Ireland said:

"Enterprise Ireland is proud to support the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, which continues to drive impactful collaborations between Ireland’s leading enterprises and research institutions. These newly funded projects exemplify the power of innovation in addressing critical healthcare challenges, from advancing cancer treatment solutions to pioneering life-saving therapies for newborns. By investing in cutting-edge technologies, we are strengthening Ireland’s position as a global leader in innovation, fostering high-value job creation, and delivering real-world benefits for patients and society. We look forward to seeing these transformative projects progress and make a lasting impact."

DTIF Call 7 remains open for project applications which can be submitted at any time up to the closing date of 30 April 2025.

Note to editors

The Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) is a €500 million fund established under the National Development Plan (NDP) in 2018. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment manages the DTIF with administrative support from Enterprise Ireland.

The purpose of the fund is to drive collaboration between Ireland’s world-class research base and industry as well as facilitating enterprises to compete directly for funding in support of the development and adoption of these technologies. The aim is to support investment in the development and deployment of disruptive technologies and applications on a commercial basis.

DTIF Call 7 applications are assessed by panels of international experts against four criteria – quality of the disruptive technology, excellence of overall approach, economic impact and sustainability, and strength of the collaboration.

Since the fund was launched in 2018, a total of 107 projects have been awarded funding of over €393 million. The 404 project partners involved are operating in every region across the country, with 60% of those partners located outside of Dublin.

Prospective applicants can obtain detailed information on the fund and on the application process through enterprise.gov.ie/DTIF.

Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) Call 7 Award Details 

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