A new €31.6 million Research Ireland Accelerating Research to Commercialisation (ARC) Hub for Therapeutics has launched today, aiming to fast-track world-class scientific research into commercial opportunities such as spinouts and licenses. The hub is led by a consortium including RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, and University College Dublin. 

Bridging the Gap Between Research and Commercialisation 

Launched by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, the ARC Hubs are designed to provide integrated support to researchers, helping to translate scientific discovery into real-world applications. The ARC Hub for Therapeutics is one of two announced today, alongside the ARC Hub for ICT, led by Prof Sarah Jane Delany of TU Dublin.

James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, said: “The Research Ireland ARC Hubs for Therapeutics and ICT represent a new model for regional innovation and entrepreneurial training that will catalyse a step-change in the translation of cutting-edge, publicly funded research towards impact at a regional level. The ARC Hubs will enhance and accelerate the commercialisation of research to create new products, processes and services.” 

Driving Commercial Impact in Therapeutics 

The ARC Hub for Therapeutics includes a translational research budget, supporting researchers with novel ideas that have strong commercial potential. This funding will back projects identified in the initial application as well as new high-impact research during the lifetime of the Hub. 

Professor Fergal O’Brien, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at RCSI and member of the FutureNeuro Governance Committee, commented: “RCSI is proud to play a key role in this initiative, contributing its clinical and scientific expertise in therapeutics research and development. With a strong track record in drug discovery and translational medicine, RCSI is committed to bridging the gap between academic research and clinical application.  

“Our expertise in understanding disease mechanisms, developing advanced therapeutics, combined with close ties to clinical practice, will ensure that the ARC Hub drives pioneering advancements in therapeutics. Through this partnership with Trinity and UCD, we will support Irish researchers in bringing academic innovations to the clinic and the global biopharma market, ultimately delivering real benefits for patients.”  

FutureNeuro’s Role in Breakthrough Research 

Four translational research projects led by or involving FutureNeuro researchers as named collaborators have been awarded funding in Phase 1 of the ARC Hub. These projects focus on gene therapies for epilepsy, a new approach to prevent or slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), anti-cancer RNA therapeutics, and a novel treatment for Parkinson’s disease. 

Welcoming the announcement, Research Ireland’s Interim CEO, Celine Fitzgerald, commented: “The Research Ireland ARC Hub Programme is a gamechanger in terms of driving regional development through commercialisation of research. The two ARC Hubs unveiled today – Therapeutics and ICT respectively – will create regional entrepreneurial ecosystems in two critically important sectors for the Irish economy. Accelerating the overall journey to impact will be achieved by enabling researchers with novel ideas to become future entrepreneurs, with the Hubs providing an integrated approach to research funding, entrepreneurial training and access to networks and supports.”  

A Collaborative Approach to Innovation 

The ARC Hubs programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union under two European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Regional Programmes – the Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027 and the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027.