Tag: #dublin

Researchers led by University College Dublin could save tens of thousands of lives with new pre-eclampsia diagnosis

A team led by University College Dublin (UCD) has been working on an innovative research initiative that could transform pre-eclampsia diagnosis. It is designed to support clinicians to make effective and efficient clinical diagnosis of suspected pre-eclampsia through intelligent and timely risk stratification of patients’ clinical and blood biomarker data, using technology from SAS, the leader in AI and analytics.
With 140 million births each year, more than 11 million women and their babies could be affected by pre-eclampsia globally. Difficult to diagnose and with complex origins, pre-eclampsia has a long-term impact on the health of mothers and their children. The condition claims the lives of 70,000 expectant mothers and 500,000 babies every year worldwide.
Every pregnant women with suspected pre-eclampsia will undergo multiple blood tests, but there is no effective rapid test to aid clinicians in diagnosis of pre-eclampsia. Research by the UCD team funded by Science Foundation Ireland, led to the discovery of important biomarkers with diagnostic and predictive power which, when combined with other clinical data, could be used to create a powerful AI (or machine learning) model to support clinical decision-making.
The solution developed is called AI_PREMie and uses SAS® Viya® hosted on a Microsoft Azure cloud environment.
When clinicians are faced with complex individual cases, AI_PREMie will offer a pre-eclampsia risk score, with red, amber, or green flags to support their clinical decision; including a unified view of the patient data used to create the classification, incorporating unique platelet biomarkers as well as relevant clinical data and demographic information.
“SAS and Microsoft brought experience from banking and government, for example bringing data security skills as well as scalability and resilience,” explained Patricia Maguire, Professor of Biochemistry at University College Dublin. “Clinicians must have absolute trust in the system, and SAS and Microsoft were able to help us deliver on this right at the start.”
With immediate plans to trial AI_PREMie in Dublin maternity hospitals later this year and roll out globally in the coming years, UCD hopes to help care providers around the world prevent thousands of deaths and medical complications caused by pre-eclampsia.
Professor Maguire adds: “Every seven minutes an expectant mum loses her life because of the complications of pre-eclampsia. And about every 40 seconds, a little baby is lost again due to complications of pre-eclampsia. We’re looking forward to deepening our partnership with SAS as we develop AI_PREMie and, ultimately, help clinicians save more lives.”
Alan McGlinn, Director, SAS Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside Microsoft supporting the tremendous work that’s already been achieved by the team led by University College Dublin and to continue the partnership as they look to broaden the uptake of the AI_PREMie solution.
“This is a great of example of a Data for Good project where data, analytics and AI can support the healthcare sector in saving the lives of patients. Powerful analytics combined with the human expertise of medical professionals is a potent combination and something we can expect to see more of over the coming years.”
Find out more about this project here and listen to this webinar featuring Professor Maguire on how to use cloud-based analytics and AI to accelerate health care research.

Guerbet Launch Solar Project to Power 18% of Pharmaceutical Operations in Dublin

Guerbet, a pioneer global pharmaceutical company specializing in medical imaging and contrast agents, has launched its first solar farm at its API manufacturing site in Dublin, coinciding with the celebration of its 30th year in operation.

2.4MW solar farm will meet 18% of the company’s total electricity requirements:

Guerbet entered a contract with Enerpower powered by Greenvolt, a leading renewable energy company, for the construction of a 2.4MW solar farm at the Guerbet site in Damastown in 2022.

The two companies entered into a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement where Guerbet has guaranteed to purchase the solar PV electrical power for a period of 20 years. The solar farm is constructed on land owned by Guerbet and will provide the equivalent to the electricity consumption of 500 households.

The project will deliver 18% of the site’s electrical power on an annualised basis, and during the peak summer months could potentially power the plant without addition of electricity from the grid during daylight hours.

The initiative aligns with Guerbet’s strategy and its People and Planet Corporate Social Responsibility positioning for reducing carbon footprint as it looks forward to the next 30 years.

David Hale, CEO of Guerbet Group indicates: “At Guerbet, our purpose is ‘Building lasting relationships that enable people to live better’, and preserving our planet is a foundational part of that purpose.  In 2023, we made a commitment validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) to reduce our carbon emissions by 27,5% for Scope 1+2 and 13,5% for Scope 3 by 2032. Our partnership with Enerpower is a great example of a relationship that will help us achieve those objectives.”

David Forde, Site Lead at Guerbet Dublin said: “Guerbet has a long history of innovation, growth, and service in the pharmaceutical industry. This new Corporate Power Purchase Agreement will produce renewable electricity for our API manufacturing site in Damastown and is a significant development in our long-term strategy to significantly reduce carbon emissions at the site. Guerbet joined the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) which encourages ambitious climate action in the private sector by allowing companies to set science-based emission reduction targets. This is a further step on that journey.”

It also comes as the company celebrates 30-years of operation in Ireland. Over the past three decades, Guerbet has continuously strived for excellence, delivering cutting-edge medical imaging solutions and contrast agents to healthcare professionals worldwide, as well as offering highly skilled employment in the area.”

John Carty, CCO of Enerpower powered by Greenvolt stated, “We are delighted to partner with Guerbet on their first solar energy project. Similarly to Guerbet’s ethos we too endeavour to build lasting relationships with our customers and are delighted to add Guerbet to our list of clients using solar energy in Ireland.”

Guerbet marks 30 years of operation in Ireland, employing over 130 skilled workers

The site in Dublin began production in 1994 and currently boasts a workforce of over 130 skilled professionals at the Damastown location. This local presence contributes to the company’s global footprint, which spans across the 5 continents with 2,830 employees worldwide.

Guerbet develops and manufacture contrast media, which are instrumental in improving the visibility of internal organs, blood vessels, and tissues during medical imaging procedures.

Every second, somewhere in the world a patient undergoes an imaging procedure with a Guerbet product. More than 60,000 health professionals rely on the contrast agents to diagnose disease and assess treatment efficacy.

IP law firm FRKelly announces move to new Dublin office

FRKelly, leading specialist in intellectual property law, has announced its relocation to news offices at Waterways House, Grand Canal Quay, marking a significant milestone for the firm as it embraces a new era of growth. The firm’s move to Dublin’s Silicon Docks comes after spending 56 years in Clyde Road, Ballsbridge.

The new office, nestled in the heart of the Grand Canal area, is strategically positioned within Ireland’s innovation epicentre surrounded by a multitude of offices, young professionals and visionary entrepreneurs. Its central location is equidistant between Dublin’s traditional central business district of St. Stephen’s Green and Fitzwilliam Square, along with the commercial hubs on the Liffey Docks. It is also easily accessible by various modes of public transport.

Offering a breath-taking view overlooking the Grand Canal Dock, Waterways House is a multi-storey building designed and constructed to the prestigious LEED Gold standard that promises sophistication and sustainability. As well as the new Dublin head office, FRKelly has a presence in Belfast and Cork, with offices in both locations.

Gavan Ferguson, Managing Partner at FRKelly, said: “Waterways House embodies the spirit of progress and forward-thinking. The transition to the new office marks a brand-new chapter for FRKelly, unlocking boundless opportunities for business growth and innovation. This strategic shift aligns with our commitment to fostering creativity and collaboration, ultimately enabling us to attract top-tier talent and further elevate our services to clients.”

Currently employing 32 patent and trade mark attorneys, FRKelly foresees further growth in 2024. The firm’s recent recognition in the prestigious IAM 1000 patent rankings in 2023 and acknowledgment of four of its attorneys as IP Stars 2023 for their exceptional contributions in patent and trademark law further consolidate FRKelly’s standing as an industry leader poised for continued success.

Amazon in Dublin supports wheelchair rugby team

A wheelchair rugby club in county Laois has received a €1,000 donation from the team at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dublin.

Formed in 2013, Laois Lions Wheelchair Rugby Club supports wheelchair users who have a passion for the sport. The rugby club provides wheelchair users with the accessibility to be involved with non-wheelchair users and participate in the sport together.

The donation from Amazon in Dublin will go towards Wheelchair Rugby Support Equipment and team costs.

Alongside the donation, Declan Naughton from Laois Lions Wheelchair Rugby Club visited Amazon in Dublin for a behind-the-scenes tour of the fulfilment centre.

Tadas Valaisa, an employee from Amazon in Dublin who nominated the charity for support, said:

“As a volunteer for the rugby club, the staff, players and other volunteers have a special place in my heart. I’m pleased that Amazon in Dublin is supporting Laois Lions Wheelchair Rugby Club with this donation.”

Darragh Kelly, General Manager at Amazon in Dublin, said:

“We’re proud to support Laois Lions Wheelchair Rugby Club with this donation. Tadas has raised awareness of the rugby club, and we couldn’t be more pleased to recognise his and the many other staff and volunteers’ service with this donation. We were pleased to welcome Declan on site too, to find out more about his involvement with the club and give him a tour of our workplace. It was a pleasure!”

Declan Naughton, from Laois Lions Wheelchair Rugby Club, added:

“On behalf of everyone at Laois Wheelchair Rugby Club, I would like to say thank you to the team from Amazon in Dublin for their support. Not only are we here to support wheelchair users, we’re also here to provide a great workout with a bit of fun along the way. The donation will assist us as we prepare for the upcoming Irish league and a tournament in Germany at the end of March. Thank you also for hosting me on site – it was lovely to put faces to names.”

The donation to Laois Lions Wheelchair Rugby Club was made as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities in and around its operating locations in Ireland.

Since opening its doors in 2022, the Dublin fulfilment centre has supported many community organisations locally, with donations totalling €46,000. Charities supported by the team at the fulfilment centre include Cliona’s Foundation, Jigsaw and LauraLynn Children’s Hospice.

The Amazon fulfilment centre in Dublin, the first of its kind in Ireland, opened in August 2022 providing more than 500 new permanent jobs. The 630,000 square foot centre at Baldonnell Business Park in Dublin holds millions of items that are picked, packed and shipped to customers across Ireland and the rest of Europe.

Secondary school boosted by literary donation from Amazon in Dublin

A secondary school in Dublin has received a donation of books and bookcases worth over €1,000 from the team at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dublin.

Pobalscoil Neasáin, located in Baldoyle, provides a caring learning environment for both staff and students to reach their full potential.

The team from Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dublin visited the school to deliver and set up eight bookcases for the school’s library, as well as donating over 50 books including Charles Dickens and Jane Eyre collections.

Gedvis Venckus, an Amazon employee who set up the bookcases at the school, said:

“The team and I had a fantastic time setting up the bookcases for the pupils at Pobalscoil Neasáin. It was a pleasure to help revitalise the library with a range of books, too. It has been a while since I’ve visited a school which brought back many great memories and it was great to see pupils helping us out. As someone who grew up reading Edgar Allan Poe, I hope the pupils get as much enjoyment out of his work as I did.”

Darragh Kelly, General Manager at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dublin, said:

“We’re proud to support Pobalscoil Neasáin with this donation of books and bookshelves. Our team really enjoyed helping to spruce up the school’s library and I hope the staff and pupils are pleased with the results and are benefitting from the new books.”

Julia Galiza, a student from Pobalscoil Neasáin, added:

“On behalf of everyone at Pobalscoil Neasáin, I would like to say thank you to the team from Amazon in Dublin for their support. This donation of books will help myself and my peers to engage in reading and have a better understanding of classic literature.”

The donation to Pobalscoil Neasáin was made as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities in and around its operating locations in Ireland.

Since opening its doors in 2022, the Dublin fulfilment centre has supported many community organisations locally, with donations totalling €46,000. Charities supported by the team at the fulfilment centre include Cliona’s Foundation, Jigsaw and LauraLynn Children’s Hospice.

The Amazon fulfilment centre in Dublin, the first of its kind in Ireland, opened in August 2022 providing more than 500 new permanent jobs. The 630,000 square foot centre at Baldonnell Business Park in Dublin holds millions of items that are picked, packed and shipped to customers across Ireland and the rest of Europe.

Dublin Tech Summit Partners with Pegasus to Host First Ever Irish Leg of the Startup World Cup

The Startup World Cup, the world’s largest startup pitch competition, will make its debut in Ireland, with the semi-final taking place at Dublin Tech Summit 2024. Powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures, the tournament consists of over 50 regional startup competitions across over 20 countries, providing an unmatched opportunity to access Ireland’s startup ecosystem and global tech companies.

The contendants will be judged at the event by a panel of venture capitalists, with the winner attending the grand final in Silicon Valley to compete against 50 other semi-finalists from across the globe for the $1,000,000 investment prize. The judging panel will consist of esteemed venture capitalist organisations, aimed at supporting startup growth. Featuring partners and directors from, VC Seraphim Space, Sure Valley Ventures, Techstars Sustainability Paris, Anamcara Capital, and The Launch Code.

“The Startup World Cup Grand Finale 2023 in San Francisco was more than just an event; it was a celebration of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Martin Tantow, Partner at Pegasus Tech Ventures. “Each pitch brought something unique to the table, elevating the competition to new heights of excitement. To be able to bring such an arena to a highly receptive audience in Ireland, has been a long awaited affair for Pegasus Tech Ventures, and we are honoured to partner with Dublin Tech Summit to bring the first ever leg of the event to Ireland, given the nation’s esteemed tech prowess in Europe”

Dublin Tech Summit 2024 will also be expanding its Accelerate initiative. Accelerate provides an opportunity for Irish start up & scale-up brands to expand internationally and get noticed by technology movers and shakers, to maximise investment opportunities for the Irish startup scene. Dublin Tech Summit will exhibit all entries in its Accelerate hall for the duration of the summit.

“Dublin Tech Summit is thrilled to announce not only the expansion of our Accelerate programme to empower local innovators but its commitment to empowering those very talents on a global stage as host to the Startup World Cup. To be able to utilise our position as a seminal voice in the mainstream techworld to provide opportunities to the next generation of changemakers, is something Dublin Tech Summit and our Accelerate programme take great pride in. In a world of ever changing corporate tax receipts, nurturing our local and start-up economy is as vital now as it ever was”, said Tracey Carney, Managing Director, Dublin Tech Summit.

To compete on the pitch stage at the DTS24, startups must register online to participate in the Accelerate programme and founders must have formed a legal business entity. The startup can be at any stage of development, from pre-seed to scale-up, and each entrant will submit a 90-second video pitch. 50 startups will be selected from the video pitches to compete in knockout presentation rounds on day one of the summit, with finals on day 2 for those who advance in the competition.

“It is an unprecedented opportunity for Irish startups to get their idea in front of expert investors, and the chance to be in the global grand finale competition in Silicon Valley. Entrepreneurial dreamers are the life of the innovation economy. Providing Irish expertise to the world is a key feature of the Accelerate programme, one which has the potential to see significant dividends in the economy as wider society in dynamic times”, said DC Cahalane former GCMO for Dogpatch Labs, and now Venture Partner at Sure Valley Ventures, and DTS Accelerate stage MC.

Dublin City wins the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2024

The European Commission has announced that Dublin City has won the Smart Tourism Capital Award designation for 2024.

The announcement was made today in Brussels.

“We are delighted that Dublin has been awarded the 2024 European Capital of Smart Tourism. This designation is a recognition of our commitment to deliver a greener, more accessible, inclusive and innovative Dublin, for both our visitors and locals. Our Smart Tourism programme, which was established in 2019 has been sharing, collaborating, and learning from some of the best cities in Europe and embedding this best practice in our own work through our new Tourism Strategy 2023-2023. We will proudly use this designation as a platform to deliver an innovative approach to tourism for Dublin.” – Richard Shakespeare, Chief Executive, Dublin City Council.

There were 30 candidates spanning 17 countries with six cities short-listed: Bremerhaven (Germany), Cork (Ireland), Dublin (Ireland), Genoa (Italy), Helsingborg (Sweden), and San Sebastián (Spain), all had their submissions evaluated by an expert judging panel. Following this competitive process, the judging panel recognised that Dublin has embedded best Smart Tourism practices from across Europe through its collaborations with other cities and the publication of its first five-year tourism strategy with a strong focus on innovation.

New experiences such as 14 Henrietta Street, EPIC the Irish Emigration Museum as well as digital innovations such as the Dublin Discovery Trails App separated Dublin from the other applicants. Dublin has also committed to sustainability by being the first Irish city to sign the Glasgow Declaration on Sustainable Tourism. Dublin also impressed the judges through its vision to become the world’s first autism friendly city by 2026.

“This city immersed in a rich tapestry of history, is a city full of culture and creativity. Now hailed for its commitment to sustainability and a strategic smart tourism vision and outstanding achievements, it has impressed the jury. Over the past year, this city has actively engaged people in decision-making, creating a destination that resonates with its people and embraces innovation at the same time. The city’s networking efforts with previous winners reflect a dedication to collaboration, leadership and innovation, and a beating European heart,” the European Commission judging panel said.

The new Dublin City Council Tourism Strategy 2023-2028 is due to be launched this Thursday 30th November 2023.

Etsy’s new office in Dublin’s Liberties represents Etsy’s commitment to its employees and the community in Ireland

Etsy, Inc. is moving from the current office on Strand Street to One Le Pole Square, 8 Ship Street Little, in Dublin’s Liberties. Etsy currently employs well over 100 employees in Ireland, benefitting from the strong talent pool and technology sector in the country. The move represents Etsy’s commitment to Ireland and will provide employees with a space designed to promote connection and collaboration.

Etsy has seen that creating vibrant office hubs is key to making in-person moments both meaningful and collaborative. The new office offers similar amenities to Etsy’s Brooklyn HQ, along with updated focus work areas, outdoor space, more meeting rooms, and large gathering spaces for employees to connect, all with an Irish twist – drawing inspiration from Irish heritage and local culture in Dublin’s infamous Liberties.

This move coincides with Etsy becoming a signatory of Diversity Charter Ireland on Tuesday, November 7th at its new Dublin office. By becoming a signatory of Diversity Charter Ireland, the country that hosts Etsy’s EU headquarter, Etsy demonstrates its ongoing commitment to promoting diversity, equality and inclusion across its business.

Etsy CHRO Kim Seymour shared, “We’re excited to establish Etsy’s new EU home in a space that enables our teams to leverage in-person moments with thoughtful design that facilitates connection and collaboration. Through the opening of this new office space and Etsy’s signing of the Diversity Charter Ireland, we’re proud to deepen our commitment to our Ireland-based community, and to cultivating a vibrant, diverse workplace in Ireland where employees from all backgrounds can thrive.”

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are deeply embedded into Etsy’s culture and how it operates as an organization. Etsy publishes its progress and goals annually, working to promote transparency and measurable commitments in DEI. In Ireland, the company is working toward building a software engineering team with 2x the national benchmark for representation of women and marginalized gender engineers by 2027 (16%). Etsy is proud to be tracking ahead of that goal.

Amazon Dublin Supports Local Bereavement Charity

A charity supporting families affected by stillbirth has received a €1,000 donation from the team at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dublin.

Féileacáin was formed by a group of bereaved parents to offer support to families affected by stillbirth or neonatal loss. The charity provides hospitals in Ireland with a ‘Gifts of Remembrance’ service which includes memory boxes, clay imprints, sibling support and more.

The donation from Amazon will be used to provide memory boxes to Maternity and Children’s Hospitals that are then gifted to parents after the loss of their baby.

Darragh Kelly, General Manager at Amazon in Dublin, said:

“Experiencing the loss of a child will never be an easy journey but with the right support and guidance, families have a safe space to grieve. Féileacáin is run by an amazing team of staff and volunteers who give everything to support families in the community. We hope that this donation can help support the important work they do across Ireland.”

Joe Monahan, an employee from Amazon in Dublin who nominated the charity for support, said:

“Féileacáin is a charity very close to my heart. The endless support the charity’s volunteers provide is outstanding and can be such a blessing for people experiencing the loss of a child. I’m pleased Amazon is showing their appreciation with this donation.”

Nina Doyle, from Féileacáin, added:

“Féileacáin relies on the support of the community to function, and without donations like this, we couldn’t provide our vital services to individuals and families who need it. Thank you, Darragh and everyone at Amazon in Dublin, for believing in what we do.”

The donation to Féileacáin was made as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities in and around its operating locations in Ireland.

Since opening its doors one year ago, the Dublin fulfilment centre has supported many community organisations locally, with donations totalling €46,000. Charities supported by the team at the fulfilment centre include Cliona’s Foundation, Jigsaw and LauraLynn Children’s Hospice.

The Amazon fulfilment centre in Dublin, the first of its kind in Ireland, opened in August 2022 providing more than 500 new permanent jobs. The 630,000 square foot centre at Baldonnell Business Park in Dublin holds millions of items that are picked, packed and shipped to customers across Ireland and the rest of Europe.

Amazon provides competitive pay, excellent benefits and a modern, safe and engaging work environment for its employees. Amazon pays all its employees in Dublin, whether they are full-time, part-time, temporary, or seasonal, at least €14.25 per hour employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package including include private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection and an employee discount as well as a company pension plan.