Ventilators for Canadians partnering with Baylis Medical to Manufacture Ventilators in Support of COVID-19 Response

Federal government supporting the manufacturing of urgently needed ventilators in Canada

TORONTO, April 7, 2020 /CNW/ - Ventilators for Canadians (V4C), a consortium of Canadian entrepreneurs focused on helping Canadians through this pandemic, is partnering with Baylis Medical, a Canadian-based medical device company specializing in cardiology and spine, to manufacture urgently needed ventilators for hospitals across Canada. 

The Government of Canada today announced it is purchasing made-in-Canada ventilators from several companies, including the V4C/Baylis partnership, through an accelerated process.

With the support of V4C, Baylis will be leveraging its robust advanced manufacturing capabilities to quickly ramp up production of the Baylis V4C–560 ventilator and ensure Canadians have access to this critical medical equipment. The V4C/Baylis partnership is expected to start manufacturing and begin shipping as soon as possible.

V4C is a newly-formed team of philanthropists and entrepreneurs dedicated to answering the call for the life-saving ventilators and respiratory equipment Canadians urgently need. With unreliable and in many cases non-existent supply chains, V4C believes it is urgent for Canadians to find Made in Canada solutions to mitigate the dire threat of this pandemic.

In addition to this project, V4C is working on a more immediate solution for the ventilator shortage and additional projects to address the need for Canadian-made ventilator and respiratory equipment.

QUOTES

"At V4C we know it is urgent for Canadians to come together with Made in Canada solutions to mitigate the dire threat of this pandemic," said Jim Estill, founder of V4C and CEO of Danby.

"We are pleased to be part of this team, led by Neil Godara and a world-class manufacturer like Baylis Medical, to quickly supply 'made in Canada' ventilators at this critical time," said Rick Jamieson, CEO of ABS Friction. "V4C will be there to bring additional Canadian manufacturing strength where needed."

QUICK FACTS

• Ventilators take the strain off of patient's lungs, supply oxygen and simulate the actions of breathing, making them critical devices for the management of severe respiratory illness, such as COVID-19.
• The Government of Canada has ordered 30,000 ventilators from a group of companies, with deliveries starting in May
• The Baylis V4C–560 ventilator is compact, lightweight and portable, and provides airway support for both children and adults.

About Ventilators for Canadians

Ventilators for Canadians (V4C) is a growing team of philanthropists and entrepreneurs who have come together to find solutions to help Canadians through this unprecedented health emergency. Founded by Jim Estill, a noted philanthropist and CEO of Danby, Rick Jamieson, CEO of ABS Friction, Scott Shawyer, CEO of JMP Solutions and Paul L'Heureux, CEO of Crystal Fountains. V4C is dedicated to answering the call for life-saving ventilators and respiratory equipment that Canadians urgently need. For more information visit www.ventilatorsforcanadians.com.

SOURCE Ventilators for Canadians