Women’s Day Series: Dr Liz McGloughlin

In this International Women’s Day Series, we interview Dr Liz McGloughlin, founder and CEO of Tympany Medical, as she shares insights on clinician collaboration, EIT Health’s support, and the key milestones ahead.

Dr McGloughlin was also recently named a finalist in the 2025 European Prize for Women Innovators. Read on to learn more about her entrepreneurial journey.

Q: Tell us about your journey from medical training to becoming the founder of Tympany Medical?

I began my career in clinical medicine and had the opportunity to participate in the BioInnovate Ireland programme, where I was introduced to needs-led innovation. After spending a year in that space, I returned to clinical practice, but by then, I had been bitten by the entrepreneurship bug.

While continuing my clinical work, I teamed up with my co-founder, Rory O’Callaghan, to secure a commercialization fund. Eventually, I took the leap into the CEO role and began raising capital for the business—and I have never looked back.

Today, Tympany Medical is a 15-person team based in Galway, dedicated to developing innovative endoscopic solutions. While our initial focus is on the ENT market, our platform technology has the potential to enable faster procedures, reduce workflow interruptions, and improve clinical outcomes for surgeons.

Q: What sets your technology apart from traditional endoscopes?

Traditionally, surgeons have to remove the endoscope every time they need to change the angle of view or clean the device. This increases procedure time and significantly disrupts their workflow.

Our technology allows surgeons to keep the device in place throughout the procedure, enabling them to adjust angles and clean the endoscope in real time—improving efficiency and maintaining focus.

Q: How does your team collaborate with clinicians to ensure the best outcomes for both doctors and patients?

At Tympany, we have built strong relationships with both local and international clinicians. Open communication is fundamental to our approach, and we maintain ongoing dialogues with clinicians to understand the challenges they face in their practices and gather direct feedback.

In recent years, we have concentrated on our primary market in the U.S., working closely with key opinion leaders (KOLs) at conferences and holding structured feedback sessions.

We also collaborate with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) through the DTF program, which provides access to a high-fidelity simulation lab for preclinical testing. This setup allows us to refine our technology without the need for animal or cadaver tissue, offering a realistic surgical environment for valuable clinician input.

This modern approach has proven invaluable, as it allows surgeons to test our technology in an environment closely resembling their actual operating room setup.

Q: What’s next for Tympany Medical? Are there any key milestones or developments on the horizon?

As with any start-up, fundraising remains a key part of our journey. We are currently raising capital to support our first-in-human study, where we will demonstrate the clinical benefits of our Soloscope technology.

Following that, our next major milestone will be securing our first regulatory approval, a crucial step toward bringing our innovation to market.

Q: How has EIT Health supported Tympany Medical, and what impact has it had on your growth?

EIT Health has been a vital part of our journey from the start. In 2018, we received funding through the EIT Health HeadStart Programme, which was invaluable while we were still based at the university. It was our first direct business funding, helping us take those critical early steps.

In 2020, we participated in the Business Plan Programme, a collaborative initiative across multiple institutions. This support was instrumental in navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also, being a finalist in the EIT Health Women Leadership Programme is yet another meaningful validation of the work we are doing at Tympany Medical.

Q: What advice would you give to start-ups looking to leverage European health innovation programmes for funding and support?

First and foremost, don’t take the first ‘no’ as the final answer. Persistence is key—if you have identified a strong opportunity, keep pushing forward and believing in your vision.

Secondly, know your audience when applying for funding. Take the time to understand the scoring criteria and what the stakeholders are looking for in an application. Tailoring your proposal to align with their priorities can make a significant difference.

Lastly, while funding and grants are important, never lose sight of your business objectives. Stay focused on your North Star—the unmet need you’re addressing and the customers you aim to serve. Funding should always be a means to drive meaningful impact, not a distraction from your core mission.

Q: Any message for young women innovators looking to make an impact in the MedTech innovation sector?

It’s not easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Women bring versatility, strong decision-making, and the ability to drive things forward efficiently—whether in clinical practice, business, or innovation.

From my experience, women excel at strategic planning, ensuring all bases are covered, and pushing for progress. We have so much to offer in this space, and it’s important to recognise and embrace our value.

Applications are now open for EIT Health Women Entrepreneurship Bootcamp. Learn more.