Ontario Invests in Innovations to Help Control the Spread of COVID-19

TORONTO — The Ontario government is supporting an investment of more than $2.9 million by five local companies to strengthen manufacturing of domestic medical supplies and support the development of homegrown innovations to help control the spread of COVID-19. The province is investing more than $1.54 million through the Ontario Together Fund (OTF).

“The Ontario Together Fund continues to support domestic businesses through targeted investments that allow them to develop their ideas and solutions to help us through the pandemic,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Ontario is proud to support these five companies, and we thank them for their innovations that are enhancing the province’s capacity to meet ongoing demands on our healthcare system and prepare for future challenges.”

McArthur Medical Sales Inc. is a Rockton, Ontario-based company that has developed and commercialized three products to assist hospitals in reducing the transmission of COVID 19 — Flusso By Pass, Flusso TFI and EXHALO Shield. These devices are used in collaboration with oxygen therapy systems and mechanical ventilators to improve patient care and reduce the spread of COVID-19, among other airborne contaminants.

“Support from the OTF will allow us to increase production of our Respiratory Therapist invented devices that improve patient care and staff safety,” said Frank Fiorenza, RRT, Product Development Manager of McArthur Medical Sales. “These Ontario invented and manufactured medical innovations have now proven to have positive implications for patients and healthcare staff worldwide.”

McArthur Medical Sales is investing $798,000 to purchase manufacturing equipment and machinery to increase production by five times current capabilities. Ontario is supporting the investment with a contribution of $379,000 through the Ontario Together Fund.

“McArthur Medical Sales is one of many businesses that have stepped up to change their manufacturing operations to help in the fight against COVID-19,” said Donna Skelly, MPP for Flamborough-Glanbrook. “With this investment, the Ontario Together Fund is supporting our government’s ongoing response to the pandemic, while improving the province’s preparedness for future public health emergencies.”

AGS Zephyr Inc., a privately-owned Ontario-based company, founded by Sam Alesio, George Goto and Robert Sowka, specializing in air purification, is investing over $350,000 into a novel air filtration project which will involve building prototypes, conducting trials and manufacturing the company’s Personal Zone Air Purifier (PZAP) product for restaurants, classrooms and commercial, industrial and retail applications.

“The support provided by OTF will accelerate our product design development activities in addition to the ongoing collaboration with Mohawk College and McMaster University, both located in Hamilton,” said Sam Alesio, Co-Founder and CEO of AGS Zephyr. “AGS Zephyr’s PZAP is an effective filtration device that supports a multi-layered approach to reducing the transmission of viruses such as COVID-19 and influenza within indoor dining environments.”

The Ontario government is investing $88,750 through the Ontario Together Fund to support the company during the development phase of their new product.

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