A group of Australian manufacturing companies and engineering firms will work together to produce 2,000 invasive ventilators in Australia as part of the nation’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Richmond-based technology commercialisation and engineering company Grey Innovation will act as the leader of a Victorian industry consortium, having received backing from the Victorian Government in the form of a $500,000 grant for the project’s feasibility stage and confirmation of its intent to order 2,000 ventilators to be built in Victoria. The program will start supply of ventilators in June with 2,000 to be produced by the end of July.
The notus Emergency Invasive Ventilator Program is a Grey Innovation-led initiative supported by the Victorian Government and Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC). The program will utilise a certified mechanical ventilator design from a leading medical device company under licence for production in Victoria.
Grey Innovation’s executive chairman Jefferson Harcourt was proud the company will play a role in helping Australia fight the COVID-19 crisis: “Victoria’s high concentration of engineering and manufacturing companies means we’re well placed to develop the ventilators quickly and Grey Innovation is proud to be leading the effort. We thank the Victorian Government and AMGC for their support of the vision and rapid response to get the program underway and are overwhelmed by the willingness of our colleagues to respond in this critical hour.”
Karen Andrews, the Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, said Grey Innovation and their cohort of industry partners are stepping up to meet the challenge of this unprecedented pandemic.
“This is another great example of Australian industry and the private sector working with our Government to ensure critical supply of medical equipment during the outbreak of this virus,” said Andrews. “This deal demonstrates the power of bringing Aussie manufacturers and clinicians together and is also a reflection of the highly advanced manufacturing capability that exists in our country. It also shows the incredible collaborative spirit that’s been on display as we respond to this unprecedented pandemic. Companies which are normally in competition are working together for the greater good.”
Martin Pakula, the Victorian Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade, added: “We are moving to fast-track the local production of ventilators so that hospitals and healthcare workers can continue their extraordinary efforts in caring for those of us who need it most. A local manufacture of these life-saving machines will help us respond to coronavirus cases and help save Victorian and Australian lives.”
The Victorian Government is supporting other manufacturers in the state, including Ballarat-based Gekko Systems, to advance plans to produce ventilators. Once established, the fast-tracked local industry stands to provide a material boost to Victoria’s, and potentially Australia’s, supply of ventilators, which are a vital part of the intensive-care treatment in acute coronavirus cases. Victorian hospitals currently have about 1,000 ventilators, with thousands more on order from overseas.