2026-2027 Programme Participants
Eddie Kavanagh
CMfgE, AEng AMIEI, MSc
eddie.kavanagh
bioinnovate.ie
Eddie Kavanagh holds a Master’s in Bioengineering and has built his career at the intersection of product development, manufacturing strategy, and scalable innovation. Most recently, he worked within DePuy Synthes, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, defining and executing manufacturing technology strategy aligned to long term business growth. Eddie began his engineering journey through a fitting apprenticeship, followed by early roles with C-CAD Computing and Pace Technologies, and lecturing in CIT. He joined J&J in 2002 as a Tool Designer, building core capability in CAD/CAM processes, GD&T training, and close integration with R&D.
Eddie went on to lead and support flagship New Product Introductions including the LCS RPS Knee Femoral and the Attune Knee System, managing Design for Manufacturing and the launch of Fixed and Rotating Bearing Tibial Base platforms to enable first clinical use and global commercialization. In 2015, Eddie joined the 3D Printing Center of Excellence, taking responsibility for titanium additive manufacturing and later leading the strategy for industrialising additive manufacturing of orthopaedic implants. He drove large scale TRL 5 developments for laser powder bed fusion titanium on the Attune Tibial Base and is a named inventor of the Affixium technology. In recent years, he has led EU Horizon and enterprise funded programmes and contributes to industry standards; he is an inventor on multiple granted and pending patents and is known as a committed people leader who champions servant leadership and a strong culture of innovation.
