Two Northern Ontario Organizations Amongst Winners of COVID-19 Challenge
May 08 2020 - 1:22PM
On April 3, the Vale COVID-19 challenge was launched in Canada to
help propel innovative COVID-19 solutions developed by companies,
startups, institutions, universities or professionals into the
marketplace by offering financial support of up to USD $1M.
A total of nearly 1,800 solutions were submitted globally, of
which over 300 came from within Canada. All solutions were
carefully reviewed by a select group of employees as well as
external partners and supporters, which, in Canada, included:
- Mater Dei Hospital in Brazil,
- Dr. Ken Jenkins (Horizon supported by TELUS Health),
- Dr. Farrell Cahill (Medisys supported by TELUS Health),
- Dr. Greg Ross (Health Sciences North Sudbury),
- Don Duval (NORCAT),
- Dr. Shahid Husain (University Health Network)
- Sheryl Thingvold (MaRS Discovery District).
“The participation on this initiative was incredible, exceeding
my expectations and is a great example of how open innovation can
bring people together globally as partners in finding innovative
solutions to critical problems,” said Afzal Jessa, Chief Digital
Officer, Vale Base Metals. “It's been an eye opener on the power of
fostering collaboration among innovative leaders across diverse
institutions to move quickly on a unified cause.”
After careful review, 11 solutions were selected to receive
financial support as part of the Vale COVID-19 Challenge with two
of them being Canadian companies, both based in Northern
Ontario.
FloSonics Medical is a venture-backed start-up based in Sudbury,
Ontario that develops and commercializes wearable sensors, which
improve clinical management of critically ill patients inside and
outside of the hospital. To help during the COVID-19 Pandemic,
FloSonics developed a wearable wireless single-use hemodynamic
monitor, which allows clinicians to access vital information about
a COVID-19 patient’s cardiovascular state remotely via Bluetooth.
The funds received from Vale will help them increase capacity to
manufacture and deliver the devices which have already been cleared
for use in the US by the FDA.
"FloSonics is pleased to partner with Vale in this important
initiative,” explained Joe Eibl, Chief Executive Officer at
FloSonics Medical. “Our aim with this solution is to facilitate
monitoring where resources are limited, and to help support
clinical decisions to improve patient
outcomes."
First Team 1305, a group of high school robotics students from
North Bay, Ontario, developed a DIY ultra-violet (UV) sterilizer
that facilitates the cleaning and sterilization of personal
protective equipment. They currently have two prototypes being used
at the North Bay Regional Health Centre in the Emergency Department
and Intensive Care Unit. The funds will allow them to further
develop these prototypes and build an open source model to be
shared internationally. They also plan to purchase the required
material to build 50 units to donate to local hospitals and medical
centers.
“The funds provided by Vale for the UV Sterilizer Project will
have a positive impact on the people at risk of COVID-19 in our
community and will help others to make a difference in their
community as well,” explained Fionna Truong, First Team 1305
student. “The safety equipment and masks are key in keeping our
first responders and those at risk safe. By being able to sterilize
and reuse masks we will be able to continue protecting our
community, and with the help from Vale, others will now be able to
help their community.”
“We had such a strong and positive response to Vale’s COVID-19
Challenge,” said Dino Otranto, Chief Operating Officer of Vale’s
North Atlantic Operations and Asian Refineries. “Organizations
across the country have demonstrated extraordinary ingenuity and
resilience to come together during these challenging times. We are
pleased to fuel some of the ideas that were brought forward to help
extend their reach and their impact in communities across
Canada.”
To view and to get to know the solutions being supported through
this challenge, please visit
www.vale.com/canadacovid19challenge
Cory McPhee, Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, Communications & Sustainability
Vale, Base Metals
1-416-294-9124
cory.mcphee@vale.com
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