Radiation detection company to start making medical ventilators
Kromek, a listed supplier of detection technology for the medical, security screening and nuclear markets, intends to begin the manufacture and sale of medical ventilators in the UK and globally.
This will be carried out under license from Metran Co, a Japan-based developer of medical ventilator products and technology, to support the COVID-19 response.
Huddersfield-based Kromek expects to start production of ventilators before the end of April 2020 and to produce up to 2,000 units within 12 weeks, with 1,000 units available within eight weeks.
Following the signing of a license agreement Kromek will sell the ventilators in the UK and globally.
Dr Arnab Basu, CEO of Kromek, said: “We have been working through the British Embassy in Japan with substantial help from the Department of International Trade and are delighted to be progressing this technology transfer.
“By combining our existing manufacturing skills with Metran’s proven technology, we expect to commence the manufacture of these robust ventilators from next week and deliver in a rapid manner.
“Any procurement of this equipment from Kromek is expected to have the additional benefit of safeguarding and creating employment in the North East as well as contributing to this region’s fight against COVID-19.”
Dan Nitta, president of Metran, added: “We have seen an unprecedented demand for ventilation equipment in recent months.
“We realised at an early stage of this crisis that we needed to think beyond our in-house manufacturing capability if we were to make a substantial impact.
“Therefore, we reached out globally to find partners who could help us to expand our capacity, and we are pleased to form this relationship with Kromek.
“With a combination of Metran’s experience in the ventilation field and Kromek’s skill as a designer and manufacturer of advanced electronic equipment, we believe we can make a substantial contribution to the fight against COVID-19.”
