31 / 03 / 2020
RTOs supporting the fight against COVID-19
As key RD&I actors, RTOs around the world are currently developing an array of supporting activities in the fight against COVID-19, while having to face in parallel their own technology infrastructures’ operational challenges. To give a peek of RTOs efforts, here are some examples of RTOs’ current support to the fight against COVID-19:- Active in the newly launched EU projects against COVID-19, four of our members CEA (France), Fraunhofer (Germany), Helmholtz (Germany) and SIB (Switzerland) are working on the development of rapid point-of-care diagnostic tests, new treatments and new vaccines.
- In France, the CEA has delivered medical supplies to the hospitals in need: masks and other protective gears.
- Various members are concetrating on the fast developments of ventilators:
- Our UK member, High Value Manufacturing Catapult has launched the ventilator Challenge to the wider engineering and manufacturing community to fast-track a simpler ventilator system.
- In Poland, Institutes of our member Łukasiewicz Network are working on a device that will allow independent ventilation of two patients with one machine, the first of one hundred new ventilators will be created within three weeks.
- In Spain, all 35 FEDIT members have shown support to their government by placing all their capabilities and research infrastructures at the hands of their government.
- In Canada, NRC has launched the NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program and Innovative Solutions Canada and the Pandemic Response Challenge Program.
