Newsroom
April 9th 2020
GREY INNOVATION SECURES $31M FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACT FOR INDUSTRY CONSORTIUM TO BUILD VENTILATORS IN VICTORIA
Grey Innovation is pleased to announce that as the leader of a Victorian industry consortium, it has secured a $31.3 million contract with the Federal Government to build 2,000 ventilators as part of Australia’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. The Victorian Government, who provided a $500 thousand grant for the project’s feasibility stage, has also announced this morning its intent to order a further 2,000 ventilators.
The notus Emergency Invasive Ventilator Program is a Grey Innovation led initiative supported by the Victorian Government and Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC). With time to market critical, and under advice from its medical advisory team, 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 is proud the company will play a role in helping Australia fight the COVID-19 humanitarian crisis. “Victoria has the highest concentration of engineering and manufacturing companies in Australia, and as such, we are well placed to work together to do something about ensuring there isn’t a shortfall of ICU equipment here in Victoria and the rest of the country,” Jefferson said. “We thank the Australian Government along with 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 industry colleagues to respond in this critical hour of need.”
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews 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,” Minister Andrews said. “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.” Grey Innovation is grateful to its medical and clinical advisory team for their guidance. They are; Prof. Rinaldo Bellomo Professor of Intensive Care Medicine, University of Melbourne; Honorary Professor Faculty of Medicine, Monash University; Centre Integrated Critical Care, University of Melbourne, Prof. David Story Professor & Foundation Chair of Anaesthesia, University of Melbourne; Senior Clinical Anaesthetist, Austin Health and Prof. Bruce Thompson, Dean, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology; President, Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand
“Ventilators are the next step from supplying oxygen via respirator to the patient who is having difficulty breathing; they are essentially life-support devices that take over the breathing for patients,” explained Professor Bruce Thompson.
“The ventilator design is lightweight and portable and has been selected for its ability to be easily transferred to us for the actual production, and its ease of use for our medical teams. Grey Innovation has done an incredible job in bringing everyone together to make it happen; government, local businesses, clinicians. it’s amazing what can be achieved in the wake of a global crisis such as this.”
Partner information will be provided once the consortium is finalised.
The Grey Innovation led notus Emergency Invasive Ventilator Program, supported by the Victorian Government and Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre will start supply of ventilators in June with 2000 to be produced by the end of July.
Media contact: wani.wall@greyinnovation.com Technical contact: emergencyventilator@greyinnovation.com.au
