MedTrain+: Postdoctoral Career Development and Mobility Fellowships in Medical Device Research Evolving the CÚRAM Industry-Academia Training Initiative

Project Information

MedTrainPlus

Grant agreement ID: 101081457

DOI

10.3030/101081457

EC signature date 12 October 2022

Start date 1 December 2022

End date 31 December 2028

Funded under

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 7 164 000,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY
Ireland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MedTrainPlus (MedTrain+: Postdoctoral Career Development and Mobility Fellowships in Medical Device Research Evolving the CÚRAM Industry-Academia Training Initiative)

Reporting period: 2022-12-01 to 2024-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Project Context, Objectives, and Pathway to Impact
Ireland hosts nine of the top ten medtech companies and has Europe's highest medtech employment per capita. This ecosystem of industry, research centres, and clinical institutions drives health innovation and Ireland's economy. The medtech industry faces challenges in adapting AI, biomaterials, and digital health innovations, with a widening R&D skills gap. Healthcare systems face pressure from ageing populations, chronic diseases, and demand for personalised care. Meeting these challenges requires innovation and researchers who can work across disciplines, understand regulations, and address societal and ethical aspects. Traditional training models cannot meet these requirements. In response, MedTrain+ was launched as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND Fellowship Programme at CÚRAM, the Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices at the University of Galway. For more details, please visit the website https://curamdevices.ie/research/training-networks/medtrain/. The programme has recruited postdoctoral researchers through a competitive process aligned with Ireland's National Research Priorities, the EU's Horizon Europe and MSCA frameworks, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (3, 4, 8, 9, 17).
MedTrain+ Objectives and Structure
MedTrain+ guides fellows in defining their research paths and selecting study areas, supervisors, and industry partners. Research focuses on CÚRAM's pillars: soft tissue, cardiovascular-renal-metabolic (CRM), neural and musculoskeletal (N&M), and translational research. The key themes included regenerative medicine, drug delivery, biomaterials, and AI-driven digital health solutions.
The programme delivers training through Personal Career Development Plans (PCDPs), integrating:
• Scientific and technical skills
• Transferable skills (Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), entrepreneurship, communication)
• Industrial exposure via secondments
• Training in ethics, data governance, and public engagement
• Inclusivity and sustainability via Green Lab practices and targeted Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) outreach
Pathway to Impact
1. Researcher-Level Impact
Fellows gain interdisciplinary experience and position themselves as future medtech leaders. MedTrain+ addresses skill shortages by developing innovative researchers.
2. Institutional and National Impacts
MedTrain+ strengthens Ireland's research capacity and contributes to regional innovation strategies. The programme reinforces Ireland's position as a medtech R&D hub.
3. Industry and Innovation Impact
This is achieved through secondments and medtech innovation training. Research outputs support licencing and joint ventures, thereby enhancing Ireland's innovation ecosystem.
4. Societal Impact and Public Engagement
Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), ethics, and science communication training ensure research relevance and accessibility. Fellows engage with patients, schools, and policymakers to build public trust and inspire STEM talent.
5. European and Global Impacts
MedTrain+ promotes researcher mobility and cross-sector collaboration, thereby advancing Europe's health innovation leadership. The programme supports key EU priorities, including:
• Horizon Europe and the Digital Europe Programme (AI-health integration)
• EU Pact for Skills (health innovation upskilling)
• European Green Deal (sustainable research practices)
Role of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH)
MedTrain+ integrates Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) through research projects on health systems and healthcare digitalisation. A health economics project contributes to the development of innovative medical devices, with SSH insights analysing medical reimbursement pathways to facilitate market access and enhance societal impact. Another project focuses on developing advanced alternative testing models for stroke research, promoting ethical practices by reducing animal testing in accordance with the 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement).

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Scientific progress was made across projects in key CÚRAM research areas. This research could lead to advanced laboratory models, new materials, and early diagnostic tools with clinical applications. Two technologies are being developed for chronic wound healing in our soft tissue pillar. The first is a dual-layered gel incorporating natural substances and antimicrobial agents. The second is a wearable soft robotic device combining compression with therapeutic protein delivery. A key advancement is the development of a water-soluble material for gel production, supporting predictive models of immune responses to materials. Within the CRM pillar, research has focused on cardiac repair using matrix-bound nanovesicles (MBV) to regenerate heart tissue. The Neuro-musculoskeletal pillar explores a lab-created "mini-brain" model with vessels to simulate cerebral haemorrhage during stroke. Research has also examined liposomes in brain cell function to create safe materials for neurological therapies. In translational core research, efforts focus on developing economic assessments for precision medicine. These platforms employ a multidisciplinary approach to address healthcare challenges in brain health, cardiac repair, and wound management, advancing scientific knowledge and facilitating novel therapy translation into clinical practice.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

MedTrain+ develops intersectoral, interdisciplinary, and international (3i) career pathways for medtech researchers, delivering excellence in research, training, and collaboration in the field.
1. Commercialisation and IPR
The MedTrain+ research projects are currently in their initial phases, with no intellectual property or licences established. The Translation Team supports projects through Health Economic Assessments and Technology Readiness Level evaluations to guide valorisation.
2. Market Access
The Translation Team supports market access for medical device innovations by identifying clinical needs, thereby enabling strategic market opportunities.
3. International Collaboration
International collaborations have been launched in projects involving partnerships with leading institutions, such as the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in France and Hamburg Medical School in Germany.
4. Regulatory Frameworks
Although MedTrain+ does not have a specific project dedicated to regulatory affairs, the Translation Team assists researchers in comprehending medical device regulatory standards by utilising tools such as regulatory applications to assess innovation compliance readiness.
5. Key Needs
Training sessions on grant writing, intellectual property, and commercialisation empower researchers to identify opportunities, navigate regulatory affairs, and enhance grant writing skills for developing projects eligible for future funding.