IBEC and Enterprise Ireland are today holding a conference on convergent technologies - Meeting of Minds.
It is claimed that Ireland is in a unique position to make the most of this growth market over the coming years. Advanced technologies like medtech, biochem and ICT will be on the agenda with IBEC saying Ireland needs to capitalise on a market which it estimates will be worth a trillion dollars by 2010.
Typical example of convergent technologies are digital thermometers, combinations of drugs and devices like antibacterial coatings on catheters which prevent infections and drug coatings on coronary stents.
IBEC's director general Turlough O'Sullivan says it could help to renew economic growth and job creation.
'This unique conference highlights the opportunities that world class multidisciplinary research and development is creating for the Irish economy, North and South', commented Frank Ryan, Enterprise Ireland's CEO.
300 business people and academics are attending the two day event which is exploring how to create new opportunities from convergent technologies in the pharmachem, medtech life sciences, ICT and food sectors.
