The HMH Emerge program, a collaborative pitch competition by Hackensack Meridian Health and Choose New Jersey, has chosen two Irish medtech startups for support. The selected companies, Spiorad and NeuroBell, will receive financial backing, clinical trial support, and business model refinement to enhance their positioning in the U.S. healthcare market.
Spiorad Medical focuses on simplifying femoral vascular access closure to improve safety in cardiovascular procedures. Their method involves closing the vessel from the outside and aims for first-in-human procedures within two years. Judi O’Malley, CEO of Spiorad, expressed excitement about partnering with HMH Emerge to advance their company.
NeuroBell offers a portable EEG monitor designed for newborns to detect silent seizures that can lead to brain damage. They are conducting clinical trials in Ireland and the U.S. Mark O’Sullivan, CEO of NeuroBell, highlighted the importance of connections with Hackensack Meridian Health and Choose New Jersey in accelerating growth.
Ihor Sawczuk of Hackensack Meridian Health praised the winning ideas addressing health challenges: “We eagerly anticipate what these groups can do in the marketplace – and in the clinical setting.” Bill Noonan from Choose New Jersey noted how this partnership showcases New Jersey's role in advancing healthcare by connecting global talent with resources.
Aidan McKenna from Enterprise Ireland USA commended both companies as innovative representatives of Ireland's medtech sector: “It’s a significant achievement that both companies have received the endorsement and support.”
The pitch competition began in Spring 2024 to help Irish health startups pilot their innovations through mentorship and investment opportunities. The initiative aims to propel healthcare innovation globally while ensuring intellectual property protection through non-disclosure agreements.
Sandra Powell-Elliott from Hackensack Meridian Health described the program as fostering new perspectives on market and clinical value: “The discussions have been invaluable for all parties involved.”
