Shorla Oncology is an Irish-founded, patient-focused oncology company with a growing international footprint and a clear mission to improve access to innovative cancer treatments. Co-founded by Sharon Cunningham (CEO) and Orlaith Ryan (CTO), the company combines deep scientific expertise with a strong commitment to Ireland’s life sciences ecosystem. As a Guaranteed Irish member,
Shorla Oncology exemplifies how Irish innovation can deliver global impact while remaining rooted in local communities. In this interview, Sharon and Orlaith share their perspectives on innovation, adaptability, policy, and the critical role Ireland plays in shaping the future of oncology.
1. What does being a Guaranteed Irish member mean to Shorla Oncology, and how does this membership support your mission within Ireland’s pharmaceutical and life sciences ecosystem?
Being a Guaranteed Irish member is an important recognition of Shorla Oncology’s roots and ongoing commitment to Ireland. With a growing presence in Tipperary, we are proud to create high-quality jobs locally while contributing to Ireland’s vibrant pharmaceutical and life sciences ecosystem.
The membership reinforces our values as an Irish-founded company that is patient-focused, innovation-led, and globally ambitious. Guaranteed Irish has helped elevate our profile nationally, enabling us to showcase the impact Irish companies can have on improving patient outcomes worldwide, while remaining deeply connected to local communities and talent.
2. The pharmaceutical and oncology sectors are constantly evolving. How does Shorla Oncology adapt to change—whether regulatory, technological, or patient-driven—while continuing to innovate and grow?
Adaptability is embedded in Shorla Oncology’s culture. We operate in a highly regulated and fast-evolving sector, and we proactively monitor regulatory developments, emerging technologies, and—most importantly—patient needs.
Our innovation strategy is grounded in improving existing oncology treatments to make them more patient-friendly, accessible, and effective. By keeping the patient at the centre of every decision, we ensure that scientific innovation, regulatory compliance, and operational agility work together to drive sustainable growth. This patient-first mindset allows us to evolve continuously while maintaining the highest standards of quality and compliance.
3. As an Irish company with an international outlook, how important is it for Shorla Oncology to maintain strong roots in Ireland while competing and collaborating globally?
Maintaining strong roots in Ireland while operating internationally is central to Shorla Oncology’s identity. We have established highly skilled teams in both Ireland and the United States, with each playing a critical role in advancing our science, innovation, and long-term growth.
Talent, scientific expertise, and innovation are drawn from both countries, allowing us to benefit from Ireland’s strong life sciences ecosystem and the US’s deep oncology and clinical expertise. This transatlantic model enables close collaboration across teams, ensuring we remain agile, forward-thinking, and scientifically rigorous.
The combined strengths of our Irish and US teams allow us to stay at the forefront of oncology innovation. By leveraging the synergies between both countries, Shorla Oncology continues to evolve, improve, and deliver meaningful impact for patients—globally—while maintaining a strong and authentic Irish identity.
4. Guaranteed Irish recently submitted a pre-Budget submission informed by member case studies. From your perspective, why is it important that the real-world experiences of companies like Shorla Oncology are represented in national policy discussions?
It is crucial that national policy discussions are informed by the real-world experiences of companies working directly to improve patient outcomes. Shorla Oncology operates at the intersection of innovation, regulation, and patient access, and our insights reflect the practical challenges of bringing oncology treatments to patients efficiently.
By ensuring that voices like ours are represented, policymakers can better understand how decisions impact patient access, innovation timelines, and long-term sustainability. Ultimately, this helps create a healthcare and life sciences environment that supports both innovation and equitable access to life-changing treatments.
5. Guaranteed Irish’s Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences White Paper highlights that “improving timely access to innovative treatments and streamlining reimbursement processes are critical for enabling faster adoption of new healthcare solutions in Ireland.”
From your experience, what challenges currently exist in ensuring timely patient access to innovative oncology treatments?
One of the key challenges is the complexity and length of existing access and reimbursement processes. These pathways can be resource-intensive and time-consuming, which may delay patient access to innovative therapies.
Streamlining processes, improving coordination between stakeholders, and reducing administrative barriers would help ensure that patients benefit from innovation sooner. For oncology patients in particular, timely access can make a meaningful difference to quality of life and outcomes.
6. How could improved reimbursement pathways and decision-making processes positively impact companies like Shorla Oncology—and ultimately the patients who rely on innovative therapies?
Improved reimbursement pathways would allow companies like Shorla Oncology to bring innovative treatments to patients more efficiently and sustainably. Faster, clearer decision-making processes reduce uncertainty and enable better long-term planning, encouraging continued investment in innovation.
For patients, this translates into earlier access to treatments designed with their needs in mind. For the healthcare system, it supports better outcomes and value by ensuring that innovation is adopted in a timely and structured way.
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