Údarás na Gaeltachta Welcomes Record €12 Million Grant for Client LIfT BioSciences

Údarás na Gaeltachta welcomes the €12 million grant awarded to its client company LIfT BioSciences (Eolaíocht Bhitheach LIfT Teoranta) from Ireland’s Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) – the largest grant awarded by the fund to date.

The grant will advance LIfT’s Immuno-Modulatory Alpha Neutrophils (IMANs) therapy through first-in-human clinical trials, positioning the company’s An Spidéal facility as a focal point for next-generation cancer treatment development.

LIfT BioSciences leads the consortium alongside the University of Galway and Hooke Bio. The funding will support clinical trials for patients with metastatic cervical cancer and head and neck cancer who have exhausted standard treatment options.

Tomás Ó Síocháin, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, said: “This achievement demonstrates the tremendous potential of Gaeltacht regions to attract world-class innovation companies. LIfT BioSciences exemplifies how international biotechnology companies can thrive in Gaeltacht communities while creating high-value employment opportunities.”

As LIfT progresses toward clinical trials expected to begin in 2026, the company is anticipated to significantly expand its workforce in An Spidéal, creating opportunities for highly skilled professionals in biotechnology, clinical research, and advanced manufacturing.

Commenting on the award, Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, said that “The Government established the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund to invest in technologies that demonstrate true innovation and with the potential to address critical national and societal challenges. We want to fund projects that will make a real difference to people’s lives. The N-LIfT project has come through a rigorous evaluation process and the level of funding awarded reflects its potential to be a game-changer in cancer therapy. I’m excited to see the impact it will deliver.”