More than 350 years ago, Robert Hooke looked through a microscope and discovered tiny structures he called “cells,” revealing a hidden world that transformed our understanding of life. Today, that same curiosity drives Hooke Bio, a pioneering MedTech company based in Shannon, County Clare.
Founded in 2017 as a spin-out from the University of Limerick, Hooke Bio brings together a multidisciplinary team developing technologies at the intersection of engineering and biology.
Engineering the future of human biology
With up to 85% of early-phase trials failing due to the limits of animal models, Hooke Bio provides human-relevant, ethically responsible testing methods that help pharmaceutical and biotech companies make better decisions earlier in development.
Their flagship platform, Mera, uses tiny human tissue models to mimic organ function for drug testing. Scalable and adaptable for different drugs, Mera has the potential to transform the drug development process, making it more effective while reducing reliance on animal testing.
This approach enables developers to fail faster or move forward with confidence, improving success rates in later-stage trials.
From seed to scale: WDC’s ongoing investment in Hooke Bio
As with many breakthrough technologies, securing early investment was challenging. Foundational support from the WDC allowed the company to build its team, advance its technology, and prepare to bring its innovation to global markets.
The early investment pieces were challenging because a lot of people didn't share the vision that we had, but the Western Development Commission really saw the potential of what we're doing and were willing to come in early with significant amounts of investment
Dr Mark Lyons, CEO, Hooke Bio
In early 2026, the Western Investment Fund made a further investment in Hooke Bio. This marks the fourth round of investment by the Western Development Commission, bringing total funding to €1.265 million.
Building the future in the West of Ireland
Hooke Bio is now preparing for its next phase of growth, with plans to expand into European markets, strengthen marketing and sales capabilities, and increase manufacturing capacity at its Shannon facility.
Shannon provides an ideal base, with access to graduate talent from nearby universities, experienced professionals from the region’s strong MedTech sector, and the infrastructure to connect easily with partners and customers across Europe and the United States.
By combining cutting-edge science with the strong innovation ecosystem of the West of Ireland, Hooke Bio demonstrates how regional investment can help transformative technologies scale.
