GM and Ventec Life Systems, in cooperation with StopTheSpread.org, are collaborating to enable Ventec to increase production of its respiratory care products to support the growing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a joint statement.
Ventec will leverage GM’s logistics, purchasing and manufacturing expertise to build more of its VOCSN ventilators, while StopTheSpread.org will continue to unite business leaders across the country to collect resources to complement and support government efforts.
“With GM’s help, Ventec will increase ventilator production,” said Chris Kiple, Ventec Life Systems CEO. “By tapping their expertise, GM is enabling us to get more ventilators to more hospitals much faster. This partnership will help save lives.”
According to an article in NEJM, “No matter which estimate we use, there are not enough ventilators for patients with Covid-19 in the upcoming months,” authors concluded. They said current estimates on US ventilator needs range from 60,000 to 160,000, but the national strategic reserve of ventilators “is small and far from sufficient.”
General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra said: “We are working closely with Ventec to rapidly scale up production of their critically important respiratory products to support our country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to explore ways to help in this time of crisis.”
