For medical device innovators, securing substantial funding can make the difference between life-saving technology remaining in the lab or reaching patients who desperately need it.

The VentriPump project exemplifies how expert grant writing support can transform promising research into a funded reality, ultimately positioning a consortium to save hundreds of thousands of lives.

A consortium of CardiacBooster, Integer Holdings, and FIRE1 was awarded €9.3 million in the latest round of Ireland’s Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund.

VentriPump: An Advanced Cardiac Support System

Cardiogenic shock (CS) represents one of the most critical cardiac emergencies in modern medicine. When hearts fail due to chronic conditions or heart attacks, vital organs become starved of oxygen as blood circulation dramatically decreases. The statistics are sobering: CS carries an alarmingly high mortality rate of almost 50%, even at the world's most advanced medical institutions.

The consortium of CardiacBooster, Integer Holdings, and FIRE1 recognised this urgent medical need and developed an ambitious solution. VentriPump aims to establish the gold standard for CS treatment through a comprehensive approach that includes a novel percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD) to offload the heart and an integrated remote monitoring system to assess recovery outcomes. This innovative treatment platform has the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives by giving failing hearts the critical time they need to recover.

Navigating the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund

The DTIF specifically targets disruptive technologies with transformational potential, setting an exceptionally high bar for applicants. A proposal needs to demonstrate not only technical excellence but also strategic market positioning, regulatory pathways, and commercial viability.

It aims to accelerate industrial research and experimental development (TRL 3–9) through collaborative consortia of at least three, involving at least one SME and another enterprise partner.

Applications are assessed against four key criteria: disruptiveness, quality of approach, economic impact and sustainability, and collaboration strength.

The Myriad Approach

Myriad's engagement with the VentriPump consortium built upon a foundation of established trust and deep project understanding. Marc Greatrex and the Myriad team had previously worked with Integer on other projects, as well as collaborating with CardiacBooster on an EIC Accelerator grant application, providing invaluable insight into the project's technical nuances, market potential, and strategic objectives.

This previous collaboration proved crucial, as it enabled Myriad to hit the ground running with comprehensive knowledge of the technology, team capabilities, and market landscape.

Results: Transforming Innovation into Impact

The collaboration between Myriad and the VentriPump consortium delivered exceptional results that extend far beyond the immediate funding success:

• The consortium secured the full €9.3 million DTIF grant, providing substantial resources to advance the VentriPump platform from development through clinical validation.
• The secured funding enables the consortium to pursue parallel development tracks, accelerating the timeline for bringing this life-saving technology to market.
• DTIF recognition has increased the consortium's credibility with additional investors, healthcare partners, and regulatory bodies, creating momentum for future funding rounds.
• Most importantly, the VentriPump platform will potentially be able to save hundreds of thousands of lives by providing healthcare providers with the gold standard treatment for cardiogenic shock.

Client Testimonial

The impact of Myriad's support is perhaps best captured in the words of the consortium leadership:

"Marc Greatrex and the Myriad team have been instrumental in helping us to secure DTIF funding for the development of a novel medical device platform to treat cardiogenic shock. I would highly recommend Marc and his team to anyone looking to apply for grant funding."

Florian Ludwig, CEO at CardiacBooster

“I have collaborated with Marc on a number of projects and he, along with his team at Myriad, have demonstrated a deep understanding and professional approach towards the grant funding ecosystem. He is very knowledgeable of the requirements and his track record speaks for itself.”

Richard Gribbons, Director of R&D at Integer Holdings Corporation

Conclusion: The Strategic Advantage of Expert Partnership

The VentriPump case study demonstrates the transformative impact that specialised grant writing expertise can have on breakthrough medical innovations. Myriad's deep understanding of funding landscapes and technical expertise enabled the VentriPump consortium to bring its innovation to market.

For organisations developing disruptive medical technologies, early engagement with grant specialists like Myriad can mean the difference between promising research remaining in the laboratory and reaching the patients who need it most. Ready to accelerate your innovation funding journey? Contact the Myriad team to explore how our proven grant writing expertise can secure the resources your innovation deserves.