We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC

Thermo Fisher Scientific provides analytical instruments, lab equipment, specialty diagnostics, reagents and integrat... read more Featured Products: More products

Download Mobile App





Thermo Fisher and Ford Partner to Scale Production of Collection Kits for COVID-19 Tests

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 17 Apr 2020
Print article
Illustration
Illustration
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (Waltham, MA, USA) has tied up with The Ford Motor Company (Dearborn, MI, USA) for manufacturing support to help it quickly expand the production of COVID-19 collection kits for patient testing.

Ford is expanding its efforts to design and produce urgently needed medical equipment and supplies for health care workers, first responders and patients fighting coronavirus. Ford, with design and testing consultation from 3M, has developed a new powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR). It has commenced production of this PAPR and has the ability to make 100,000 or more units. Ford is also collaborating with the UAW for producing face masks for internal use globally and pursuing certification for medical use. To help further protect health care workers, Ford is leading efforts to manufacture reusable gowns from airbag materials with supplier Joyson Safety Systems.

Additionally, Ford is lending its manufacturing support to help Thermo Fisher Scientific quickly expand its production of COVID-19 collection kits for patient testing. Thermo Fisher’s engineering team at the company’s site in Lenexa, Kansas, is combining their expertise with the manufacturing expertise of Ford’s nearby Kansas City Assembly Plant engineering team, to set up additional collection kit production machinery. The Ford team has also helped Thermo Fisher adapt machinery that currently runs glass vials for other products to run plastic vials required in drive-through coronavirus test collection.

“Ford's engineers brought a fresh perspective to production expansion, and together, we'll more than triple the number of collection kits we can deliver each week starting April 20,” said John Reuss, senior director, microbiology business for Thermo Fisher. “It’s great to see different industries coming together to solve a common problem."


Gold Member
SARS-CoV-2 Reactive & Non-Reactive Controls
Qnostics SARS-CoV-2 Typing
Gold Member
SARS-COV-2 PLUS UK Real Time PCR kit
SARS-COV-2 PLUS UK REALTIME PCR KIT
New
Hematology Analyzer
BH-6180
New
STI Test
cobas TV/MG

Print article

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: Researchers have identified six biomarkers of kidney injury (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Biomarkers to Improve Early Detection and Monitoring of Kidney Injury

Drug-induced kidney injury, also known as nephrotoxicity, is a frequent complication in clinical medicine, occurring when drugs damage the kidneys. This can result from various medications, including ... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The study examined the diagnostic utility of ELISA testing for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Streamlined Approach to Testing for Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Improves Diagnostic Accuracy

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a serious side effect of the blood thinner heparin, is difficult to diagnose because thrombocytopenia, or low platelet count, can be caused by a variety of factors... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: Genetic testing can determine which drugs will work for patients with C. auris (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Genetic Testing Could Improve Treatment for Virulent Multidrug-Resistant Fungus Candida Auris

Candida auris (C. auris), a multidrug-resistant yeast responsible for severe, life-threatening infections, was first identified in 2009. Since its discovery, it has spread globally, causing significant... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: Researchers have developed new approach for identifying circulating tumor cells in patients with pancreatic and lung cancer (Photo courtesy of Jacob Dwyer/Michigan Medicine)

Biolasers Light Up Circulating Tumor Cells in Bloodstream of Cancer Patients

As tumors grow, they release cells into the bloodstream, known as circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Although these cells are vastly outnumbered by millions of other blood cells, detecting them early can... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Human tear film protein sampling methods (Photo courtesy of Clinical Proteomics. 2024 Mar 13;21:23. doi: 10.1186/s12014-024-09475-8)

New Lens Method Analyzes Tears for Early Disease Detection

Bodily fluids, including tears and saliva, carry proteins that are released from different parts of the body. The presence of specific proteins in these biofluids can be a sign of health issues.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.