Design and execution of research and development

Tender description

The Challenge Background Diabetes is a serious global public health issue which has been described as the most challenging health problem in the 21st century. Between 1998 and 2015, there was a significant increase in the prevalence of doctor diagnosed diabetes among adults in Ireland (increasing from 2.2 % in 1998 to 5.2 % in 2015). The prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes in Ireland ranges from 0.9 – 2.8 % of the population. People with diabetes are at serious risk of developing microvascular complications which can result in damage to feet, resulting in loss of sensation, damage to the back of the eye which can lead to blindness and damage to kidneys which can result in kidney failure. This small business Innovation Research (SBIR) competition specifically targets 2 key unmet needs: 1) Reducing the risk of women developing diabetes following gestational diabetes; 2) Screening for diabetic foot disease in all patients with diabetes. 1) Reducing the risk of women developing diabetes following gestational diabetes. Screening for diabetic foot disease in all patients with diabetes.