County Durham firm expands global reach with Japanese medtech partnership

A North East tech firm has announced a new partnership with a Japan-based medtech to manufacture medical ventilators in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kromek, which is based in County Durham, has partnered with Japanese firm Metran Co. Ltd to manufacture and sell medical ventilators around the world to combat the spread of coronavirus.

Headquartered in Sedgefield, Kromek specialises in detection technology focusing on the medical, security screening and nuclear markets.

Following the signing of a license agreement with respiratory equipment specialist Metran, Kromek expects to commence production of ventilators before the end of April, and plans to sell the ventilators both in the UK and globally.

Dr Arnab Basu, CEO of Kromek, commented: “We have been working through the British Embassy in Japan with substantial help from the Department of International Trade and are delighted to be progressing this technology transfer.

“By combining our existing manufacturing skills with Metran’s proven technology, we expect to commence the manufacture of these robust ventilators from next week and deliver in a rapid manner.

“Any procurement of this equipment from Kromek is expected to have the additional benefit of safeguarding and creating employment in the North East as well as contributing to this region’s fight against COVID-19. We look forward to the ongoing relationship with Metran.”

Dan Nitta, president of Metran, added: “We have seen an unprecedented demand for ventilation equipment in recent months. We realised at an early stage of this crisis that we needed to think beyond our in-house manufacturing capability if we were to make a substantial impact.

“Therefore, we reached out globally to find partners who could help us to expand our capacity, and we are pleased to form this relationship with Kromek.

“With a combination of Metran’s experience in the ventilation field and Kromek’s skill as a designer and manufacturer of advanced electronic equipment, we believe that we can make a substantial contribution to the fight against COVID-19.”

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