Smith & Nephew (NYSE:SNN) announced today that it has landed a contract with the UK government to build OxVent ventilators amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The London-based company’s OxVent system is currently under review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA), making the contracted order subject to the device receiving authorization from the governing body.
Smith & Nephew credits the OxVent design to a collaboration of scientists, clinicians and medtech manufacturers from the University of Oxford, King’s College London and the company itself. The design is meant to allow for large-scale production amid the shortage of ventilators in the U.K. and around the world.
The company said in a news release that it is supporting the MHRA assessment process and preparing to begin manufacturing at its advanced wound management facility in Hull, UK, immediately after the device is cleared.
“We are proud to be able to support this vital effort and help meet the UK government’s ventilator challenge to ensure the NHS is equipped for treating patients with COVID-19,” Smith & Nephew CEO Roland Diggelmann said in the news release. “I want to thank all our employees who are working long hours to make this happen, while also ensuring continued production of the important medical products already manufactured at our Hull site to support other patients.”
“In less than two weeks the students, researchers and academics driving this project have brainstormed a prototype, developed into a highly-structured efficient and effective team and won government backing,” Oxford professor Mark Thompson said in a separate news release. “Collaboration is in our DNA and I am so proud of the team and the amazing support from our universities.”
This story originally ran on April 1. It has been updated with additional information from Oxford.
