Tipperary entrepreneurs named as two of the 'top 100 women in Irish tech'

Two Tipperary entrepreneurs, Sharon Cunningham and Orlaith Ryan, have been recognised on the Business Post’s Top 100 Women in Irish Tech list, cementing their reputation as leaders in innovation and life sciences.

Cunningham and Ryan are the co-founders of Shorla Oncology, an Irish-American pharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for rare cancers, particularly in paediatric oncology. Founded in 2018, the company is dually headquartered in Clonmel, Co Tipperary and Cambridge, Massachusetts, reflecting its Irish roots and strong US growth trajectory.

The recognition comes on the back of a remarkable few years for the pair. In 2023, Shorla Oncology raised $35 million to accelerate its American operations and later that year secured its third FDA approval, a milestone achievement for a company of its size. The business has also attracted investment from high-profile backers, including agri-food magnate Larry Goodman.

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Cunningham and Ryan, whose company name combines elements of their first names, were also celebrated as EY Entrepreneurs of the Year in 2022. Their success story has been heralded as proof of how Irish-founded biotech companies can make a global impact in addressing unmet medical needs.

Shorla’s mission, delivering new options for patients in areas of oncology long overlooked by big pharma, continues to resonate across both sides of the Atlantic. The inclusion of Cunningham and Ryan in the Top 100 list highlights not only their individual achievements but also the growing influence of women in shaping Ireland’s tech and life sciences landscape.