Hull firm still seeks approval for ventilator
SMITH & Nephew has told how it is continuing to work towards regulatory approval for a new ventilator brought forward in partnership with academics from Oxford and London, despite claims the programme has been paused.
The Hull-founded medical giant announced at the start of the month how it had responded to the national Covid-19 challenge, and was seeking a fast-track review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority.
The Oxvent was brought forward with mass production in mind, with few moving parts and elements already in the NHS supply chain.
It was suggested over the weekend some ventilators were over-simplified, and may not be able to support weaning off the breathing aid, having been based on formative design concepts, with the author of the FT report claiming the Smith & Nephew development was one.
It suggested that while one programme, Bluesky – involving two Formula One race teams Renault and Red Bull - had been scrapped, the Hull-focused production was on pause.
Highly skilled employees at the Advanced Wound Management facility in the city were ready to rise to the build challenge, with figures of up to 5,000 units a week mooted.
Not a regular ventilator producer, the company had told of its “pride at being able to support this vital effort,” having been suggested by the government to Prof Andrew Farmery, professor of anaesthetics at University of Oxford, who brought forward a prototype and described the 164-year-old Ftse-listed firm as “absolutely outstandingly helpful”.
In a brief statement, with no update on authorisation or production timelines, a Smith & Nephew spokesperson said: “Smith & Nephew is continuing to work towards MHRA approval.”