Smith & Nephew (www.smith-nephew.com), a global medical technology business, has confirmed that it has been contracted to build its newly developed OxVent ventilators for the UK Government subject to regulatory approval.

The ventilator has been developed, with large scale production in mind, by a collaboration of scientists, clinicians and medical technology manufacturers from the University of Oxford, King’s College London and Smith & Nephew.

Smith & Nephew is supporting the assessment process and is preparing for series production at its Advanced Wound Management facility in Hull, set to begin immediately following authorisation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA).

Smith & Nephew CEO Roland Diggelmann said: “We are proud to be able to support this vital effort and help meet the UK Government’s ventilator challenge to ensure the NHS is equipped for treating patients with COVID-19.

“I want to thank all our employees who are working long hours to make this happen, while also ensuring continued production of the important medical products already manufactured at our Hull site to support other patients.“