James Fisher develops ventilator to combat Covid-19

The marine engineering company said its JFD breathing apparatus division had developed a non-invasive ventilator based on an existing design. It has sent a base model of the InVicto ventilator to a laboratory appointed by the UK's medicines regulator for testing.

James Fisher said once it had regulatory approval it was ready to make about 2,000 of the ventilators each week. The company said its design was better than CPAP systems in use to treat Covid-19 patients because it responds to the patient's lung condition and breathing. It will also use up to 90% less oxygen, which is in short supply, than many existing ventilators.

The UK government asked companies in March to design ventilators to fill a shortage created by the outbreak of Covid-19 whose main symptoms include dangerous breathlessness. In addition to James Fisher, Smiths Group, Dyson and Babcock are among companies working on products to fill the gap.

Eoghan O’Lionaird, James Fisher's chief executive, said: “James Fisher is honoured to be one of many UK engineering firms contributing to the national and international effort to combat Covid-19. Protecting lives is at the core of our business and our world-class engineers have worked tirelessly to develop a product that can help ease the pressure on the country’s intensive care units in the weeks and possibly months ahead."

James Fisher shares rose 7.5% to £14.98.90 at 10:45 BST.