Wednesday 17 June 2026
A healthcare innovation that aims to predict which concussion patients are most at risk of prolonged recovery has been unveiled at the 2026 BioInnovate Ireland Symposium in Galway.
Developed during the BioInnovate Ireland programme at University of Galway, and supported by Enterprise Ireland, BrainForecast is an AI-powered digital health solution designed to address one of the most significant challenges in concussion care: identifying which patients with mild traumatic brain injury are likely to develop persistent symptoms and require additional support.
The innovation was presented by Conor Connolly and Ciaran O'Sullivan, members of the BrainForecast team as part of the annual BioInnovate Symposium.
Long-term impacts of concussion
Public awareness of traumatic brain injury has grown significantly in recent years, particularly through research exploring the long-term impacts of concussion and the links between repetitive head injuries and chronic neurological conditions. However, while sports-related injuries often dominate headlines, the majority of mild traumatic brain injuries occur outside organised sport and affect people of all ages.
L-R: Conor Connolly, BioInnovate fellow and BrainForecast; Dr Sinéad Walsh, Bioinnovate programme director, University of Galway; and Ciaran O’Sullivan, BioInnovate fellow and BrainForecast. Photo: Martina Regan.
Conor Connolly, current BioInnovate fellow, said: “Following extensive engagement with clinicians, researchers and international experts, we identified a critical challenge in current care pathways: while most patients recover fully, approximately one in three will experience persistent post-concussion symptoms, affecting their quality of life for months or even years. The goal is to identify high-risk patients earlier, support clinical decision-making and enable more personalised rehabilitation strategies.”
BioInnovate is supported under the Innovators’ Initiative Programme Co-funded by the government and the European Union through the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027.
This year marks the 15th year of BioInnovate, an internationally recognised needs-led healthcare innovation programme that contributes to the development of new healthcare technologies, companies and clinical solutions in Ireland and internationally.
'Identifying unmet clinical needs'
Dr Sinéad Walsh, programme director of BioInnovate Ireland, University of Galway, said: “The BioInnovate process begins by identifying unmet clinical needs and empowering multidisciplinary teams to develop solutions that can transform patient care. BrainForecast is a powerful example of this in action. We congratulate all the Fellows on their remarkable progress and acknowledge the clinical champions, mentors, and all those who have supported and guided them on their journey so far."
BrainForecast is one of several innovations presented by the BioInnovate Class of 2026 during the symposium.
The projects reflect the breadth of unmet healthcare needs identified through BioInnovate's clinical immersion process, ranging from improving fluid management for heart failure patients and enhancing ostomy care, to reducing postoperative scar tissue formation following knee replacement surgery to improve range of motion and reduce joint stiffness.
The symposium theme, 'From Patient Data to Better Care: Scaling AI in Health Systems', brought together clinicians, entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders and healthcare innovators to explore how emerging technologies are transforming healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.