Baylis Medical partners with Ventilators for Canadians

TORONTO – Baylis Medical, a Canadian-based medical device company specializing in cardiology and spine, is partnering with Ventilators for Canadians, a consortium of Canadian manufacturers, to manufacture ventilators for hospitals across Canada.

The Government of Canada recently announced its support for Canadian manufacturing companies producing critical medical supplies, enabling Baylis to do its part to support the management of patients impacted by the COVID-19 virus.

“These challenging times require everyone to contribute what they can to assist their community. Baylis Medical is committed to helping COVID-19 patients during this unprecedented time,” said Kris Shah (pictured), president of Baylis Medical. “Ventilators are not our typical area of focus and we recognize that there will be challenges with sourcing complex components that could impact the speed at which we can produce the devices.

“However, given our existing manufacturing capabilities, we are well-positioned to provide these much-needed devices to hospitals across Canada.”

With the support of Ventilators for Canadians, 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.

Ventilators take the strain off of patient’s lungs, supply oxygen and simulate the actions of breathing, making them important devices for the management of severe respiratory illness, such as that caused by COVID-19.

“The COVID-19 virus presents us all with an unprecedented human challenge, and it requires an extraordinary response,” said Neil Fraser, president of Medtronic Canada. “Medtronic took the unique step of making all of our design specifications, including engineering, software, and manufacturing information on the Puritan Bennett 560 (PB560) available via our website to the public, and Baylis Medical immediately stepped up to take on this challenge. We are pleased to advance this work through our open source initiative and we will do what we can to support Baylis Medical in ramping up ventilator production in Canada.”

The Baylis V4C-560 ventilator will be based on Medtronic’s PB 560 ventilator design. The ventilator is compact, lightweight and portable, and provides airway support for both children and adults. Medtronic will also provide Baylis with engineering support and assist with licensing of the Baylis V4C-560 ventilator in Canada.

About Baylis Medical
Baylis Medical is a leader in the development and commercialization of innovative medical devices in the fields of cardiology and spine. Headquartered in Canada, and with offices world-wide, our clinical solutions have been Improving the Lives of People Around the World for over 30 years. For more information, visit www.baylismedical.com.

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 of JMP Solutions and Paul L’Heureux of Crystal Fountains. V4C is dedicated to answering the call for life-saving ventilators and respiratory equipment that Canadians urgently need. Please visit www.ventilatorsforcanadians.com.

About Medtronic
Medtronic plc, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is among the world’s largest medical technology, services and solutions companies – alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world. Medtronic employs more than 90,000 people worldwide, serving physicians, hospitals and patients in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.medtronic.com.