Philips Respironics Nabs HHS Contract to Develop Disaster Ventilator

Philips Respironics has been awarded a federal contract to develop a next-generation disaster ventilator, parent company Royal Philips said Wednesday. Philips will collaborate on the project with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, part of HHS’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.

The ventilator Phillips and HHS will develop will be solely purposed for disasters. Key features will be ease of manufacture, ease of use and applicability to a wide range of patients with varying illnesses.

About 800,000 hospitalized patients in the U.S. require mechanical ventilation, according to Philips. That number could skyrocket in a public health emergency or pandemic, overwhelming the demand for ventilation devices, the company said.

The work with BARDA will begin this month, said Philips spokeswoman Alicia Cafardi. The company makes ventilators for use at home, in hospitals and at alternative care sites. — Kellen Owings 

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