Glove makers urge govt to allow their Selangor factories to operate under EMCO to mitigate global glove disruption

Izzul Ikram theedgemarkets.com

July 04, 2021

KUALA LUMPUR (July 4): Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA) today urged the government to allow glove factories in Selangor to operate under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO), which came into effect yesterday (July 3).

In a statement today, MARGMA president Dr Supramaniam Shanmugam said the association is seeking an urgent meeting with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry on the issue, as 58% of all gloves produced in Malaysia are sourced from glove manufacturers in Selangor.

He said there was a big fear going around the global healthcare sectors when the possibility of the glove industry shutdown was announced, as medical gloves are sorely needed to protect frontliners and hospital staff.

“Medical examination gloves, like face masks, are essential personal protective equipment (PPE) items that are highly required by countries around the world especially in this pandemic season to fight against the spread of Covid-19 and other diseases.

“Since the government’s announcement on the imposed EMCO on the state of Selangor, global customers of our manufacturers have been calling with great concern on shortage of production and delivery of gloves to them.

“Our members are under tremendous pressure from global hospitals and healthcare workers as the pandemic has now evolved into another variant,” he said.

He said MARGMA members collectively produce and export gloves to 195 countries around the world, supplying 67% of global consumption.

“Our members have been supportive of the government’s effort to fight the spread of Covid-19 pandemic and have been coping with the 60% ordinance in MCO 3.0 to ensure no severe shortage of this important PPE supply to the world. Though lead times on delivery have been stretched slightly longer, it was still manageable.

“EMCO on the other hand, will now further hamper the supply situation,” he said, adding its MARGMA members have agreed to vaccinate all their employees at their own costs.

All glove makers’ employees, besides being registered for the National Immunisation Programme on MySejahtera, are registered with Public-Private Partnership Industrial Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PIKAS), Selangor Vaccination Programme (SELVAX) and the latest Vaccination Programme for the Agri-commodity Sector (VACOMS).

“However, up until today, we are still waiting for the delivery of vaccines,” he added.

He also said that MARGMA has appealed to the government to make saliva-based Covid-19 test kits available as soon as possible, and that MARGMA members have agreed to bear all costs, as it will greatly enhance the frequency for screening workers.

Glove makers in Selangor shut down temporarily due to EMCO

Justin Lim/theedgemarkets.com
July 07, 2021

KUALA LUMPUR (July 7): Glove manufacturers have suspended their operations in Klang due to the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) in several districts in Selangor.

Top Glove Corp Bhd, the world’s largest glove manufacturer, said it is temporarily halting the operations of its medical glove factories in Klang, in compliance with EMCO directives.

It added that it is awaiting clarification from the National Security Council on the matter, but did not give further details.

“The company looks forward to safely resuming operations at the appropriate time and continuing to produce its much needed medical gloves for frontliners and healthcare workers in Malaysia and globally.

“The company continues to maintain strict adherence to the relevant rules and regulations, as well as Covid preventive standard operating procedures, and is committed to safeguarding the health and safety of its workforce and the communities in which it operates,” said Top Glove.

Its peer Hartalega Holdings Bhd also said it has initiated a full shutdown of all its manufacturing facilities in Bestari Jaya and Sepang.

“Regrettably, this will have a significant impact on both the local and international healthcare value chain in terms of disruption to availability of supply, as Hartalega is a key manufacturer of nitrile gloves for hospitals globally,” Hartalega said in a written reply to The Edge.

Likewise, Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd also stated it has implemented temporary stoppage of its glove manufacturing facilities in Klang for the same reason.

Among other glove manufacturers that have operations in Klang include Supermax Corp Bhd and Mah Sing Group Bhd.

The EMCO for 34 districts in Selangor and 14 localities in Kuala Lumpur is in force from July 3 to July 16.

The shutdown came as a surprise to some analysts as rubber gloves are deemed as essential personal protective equipment.

On Sunday (July 4), the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA) urged the government to allow glove factories in Selangor to operate under the EMCO.

“Since the government’s announcement on the imposed EMCO on the state of Selangor, global customers of our manufacturers have been calling with great concern on shortage of production and delivery of gloves to them.

“Our members are under tremendous pressure from global hospitals and healthcare workers as the pandemic has now evolved into another variant,” said MARGMA president Dr Supramaniam Shanmugam in a statement.

Philips issues recall notification* to mitigate potential health risks related to the sound abatement foam component in certain sleep and respiratory care devices

June 14, 2021

  • Philips is initiating a voluntary recall notification* to ensure patient safety in consultation with regulatory agencies
  • Corrective actions include the deployment of updated instructions for use and a repair and replacement program for affected devices
  • Philips aims to address all affected devices within the scope of this correction as expeditiously as possible

Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Following the company update on April 26, 2021, Royal Philips(NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHIA) today provides an update on the recall notification* for specific Philips Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure (Bi-Level PAP), Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), and mechanical ventilator devices to address identified potential health risks related to the polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) sound abatement foam component in these devices. The majority of the affected devices within the advised 5-year service life are in the first-generation DreamStation product family.

To date, Philips has produced millions of Bi-Level PAP, CPAP and mechanical ventilator devices using the PE-PUR sound abatement foam. Despite a low complaint rate (0.03% in 2020), Philips determined based on testing that there are possible risks to users related to this type of foam. The risks include that the PE-PUR foam may degrade into particles which may enter the device’s air pathway and be ingested or inhaled by the user, and the foam may off-gas certain chemicals. The foam degradation may be exacerbated by use of unapproved cleaning methods, such as ozone,** and high heat and high humidity environments may also contribute to foam degradation.

Therefore, Philips has decided to voluntarily issue a recall notification* to inform patients and customers of potential impacts on patient health and clinical use related to this issue, as well as instructions on actions to be taken.

“We deeply regret any concern and inconvenience that patients using the affected devices will experience because of the proactive measures we are announcing today to ensure patient safety,” said Frans van Houten, CEO of Royal Philips. “In consultation with the relevant regulatory agencies and in close collaboration with our customers and partners, we are working hard towards a resolution, which includes the deployment of the updated instructions for use and a comprehensive repair and replacement program for the affected devices. Patient safety is at the heart of everything we do at Philips.” 

Recall notification* advise for patients and customers

Based on the latest analysis of potential health risks and out of an abundance of caution, the recall notification* advises patients and customers to take the following actions:

  • For patients using affected BiLevel PAP and CPAP devices: Discontinue use of your device and work with your physician or Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provider to determine the most appropriate options for continued treatment. To continue use of your device due to lack of alternatives, consult with your physician to determine if the benefit of continuing therapy with your device outweighs the risks identified in the recall notification.*
  • For patients using affected life-sustaining mechanical ventilator devices: Do not stop or alter your prescribed therapy until you have talked to your physician. Philips recognizes that alternate ventilator options for therapy may not exist or may be severely limited for patients who require a ventilator for life-sustaining therapy, or in cases where therapy disruption is unacceptable. In these situations, and at the discretion of the treating clinical team, the benefit of continued usage of these ventilator devices may outweigh the risks identified in the recall notification.*

Possible health risks

The company continues to monitor reports of potential safety issues as required by medical device regulations and laws in the markets in which it operates. To date, there have been no reports of death as a result of these issues. Philips has received reports of possible patient impact due to foam degradation. The potential risks of particulate exposure include headache, irritation, inflammation, respiratory issues, and possible toxic and carcinogenic effects. The potential risks of chemical exposure due to off-gassing include headache, irritation, hypersensitivity, nausea/vomiting, and possible toxic and carcinogenic effects. Philips has received no reports regarding patient impact related to chemical emissions. 

Repair and replacement program

Philips is providing the relevant regulatory agencies with required information related to the launch and implementation of the projected correction. The company will replace the current sound abatement foam with a new material and has already begun the preparations, which include obtaining the relevant regulatory clearances. Philips aims to address all affected devices in scope of this correction as expeditiously as possible.

As part of the program, the first-generation DreamStation product families will be modified with a different sound abatement foam and shipped upon receipt of the required regulatory clearances. Philips’ recently launched next-generation CPAP platform, DreamStation 2, is not affected by the issue. To support the program, Philips is increasing the production of its DreamStation 2 CPAP devices, that are available in the US and selected countries in Europe. 

Financials

In terms of the financial impact, Philips anticipates that the expected revenue headwinds in the Sleep & Respiratory Care business in 2021 will be compensated by the strength of the company’s other businesses. Therefore, the full year comparable sales growth and Adjusted EBITA margin guidance provided on April 26, 2021 remains unchanged.

The updated instructions for use of the affected devices have resulted in adjustments to and acceleration of the repair and replacement program, as well as intensified communication with customers and patients. This had led to an increase of EUR 250 million in the expected costs of the corrective actions on the installed base, in addition to the provision that the company recorded in the first quarter of 2021.

Additional information

For more information on the recall notification,* as well as instructions for customers, users and physicians, affected parties may contact their local Philips representative or visit www.philips.com/SRC-update

*    This is a recall notification for the US only, and a field safety notice for the rest of the world
**    Potential Risks Associated With The Use of Ozone and Ultraviolet (UV) Light Products for Cleaning CPAP Machines and Accessories: FDA Safety Communication.

Philips recalls ventilators and sleep apnea CPAP machines

Kate Gibson, CBS News

Philips is recalling breathing devices and ventilators due to foam that might degrade and become toxic, possibly causing cancer, the Dutch medical equipment maker said on Monday.

The recall involves specific Philips Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure (Bi-Level PAP), Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and mechanical ventilator devices to address potential health risks related to polyester-based polyurethane sound abatement foam that is in the machines, Philips said in a news release.

Foam used to soften the sound made by the machines can deteriorate and project tiny particles and gases that can irritate airways, cause headaches and possibly be toxic or carry cancer risks, according to the company.

No deaths have been reported in connection with the recalled devices.

“We deeply regret any concern and inconvenience that patients using the affected devices will experience because of the proactive measures we are announcing today to ensure patient safety,” CEO Frans van Houten stated.

Philips has produced millions of devices using the foam, with a low complaint rate of 0.03% last year, the company reported.

Those using the ventilators to sustain life should not alter their prescribed therapy until they’ve talked to their physician, with others using bi-level PAP and CPAC devices should discontinue their use and talk to their doctor, the company said. Consumers can learn more here.

The company, one of the largest manufacturers of sleep apnea machines and ventilators, reported in quarterly earnings in late April that it had identified a quality issue with some sleep apnea and respiratory products, stating it was looking into the matter.

Houston Hospital Workers Walk Out Over Covid Vaccine Mandate

Jesus Jiménez and Niraj Chokshi New York Times

Dozens of staff members at a Houston-area hospital protested on Monday night against a policy that requires employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

The hospital, Houston Methodist, had told employees that they had to be vaccinated by Monday. Last month, 117 employees filed a lawsuit against the hospital over the vaccine policy.

While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends health care workers get a flu shot, and some hospital systems require it, few American companies have required Covid-19 shots, despite federal government guidance that says employers can mandate vaccines for onsite workers.

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Executives, lawyers and consultants say that many companies remain hesitant because of a long list of legal considerations the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says must be followed before mandating vaccinations. Some companies say they are wary of setting mandates until the vaccines have received full approval by the Food and Drug Administration, which has so far granted emergency use authorization.

Jennifer Bridges, a nurse who led the Houston Methodist protest, has cited the lack of full F.D.A. approval for the shots as a reason she won’t get vaccinated.

Vaccine hesitancy has been high among frontline health care workers in the United States: Surveys showed that nearly half remained unvaccinated as of mid-March, despite being among the first to become eligible for the shots in December. A March 2021 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that health care workers had concerns about the vaccines’ newness and their possible side effects, both of which are common reasons for waiting to be vaccinated.

By Monday evening, dozens of Houston Methodist employees had gathered outside the hospital system’s location in Baytown, Texas, holding signs that read “Vaxx is Venom” and “Don’t Lose Sight Of Our Rights.”

“If we don’t stop this now and do some kind of change, everybody’s just going to topple,” Ms. Bridges told local news media covering the protest. “It’s going to create a domino effect. Everybody across the nation is going to be forced to get things into their body that they don’t want and that’s not right.”

Those who did not meet the hospital’s vaccination deadline on Monday will be placed on a two-week unpaid suspension. If they do not meet the requirements by June 21, Houston Methodist said it would “initiate the employee termination process.”

The workers’ lawsuit accuses the hospital of “forcing its employees to be human ‘guinea pigs’ as a condition for continued employment.”

In a statement, Houston Methodist said that by Monday, nearly 100 percent of its 26,000 employees had complied with the vaccine policy. The hospital said it was aware that some employees who had not met the vaccine requirements planned to protest, and had invited other employees to join them.

“We fully support the right of our employees to peacefully gather on their own time, but it is unacceptable to even suggest they abandon their patients to participate in this activity,” the hospital said. “We have faith that our employees will continue putting our patients first.”

On Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas signed a law prohibiting businesses or government entities in the state from requiring vaccine passports, or digital proof of vaccination, joining states such as Florida and Arkansas. It’s unclear how or if the new law will affect employer mandates like Houston Methodist’s.

In some industries, including aviation, employers are taking a middle-ground approach. Delta Air Lines, which is distributing vaccines out of its flight museum in Atlanta, said in May that it would strongly encourage employees to get vaccinated and require it for new hires.

United Airlines, after considering a blanket mandate, said last week that it would require anyone hired in the United States after June 15 to provide proof of vaccination no later than a week after starting. Exceptions may be made for those who have medical or religious reasons for not getting vaccinated, the company added.

Private-equity group to buy Medline for over $30 billion

June 7, 2021 – Medline Industries, Inc. (Northfield, IL), has entered into a definitive agreement through which it will receive a majority investment from a partnership comprised of funds managed by Blackstone, Carlyle, and Hellman & Friedman.

Following the close of the transaction, Medline will remain a privately held, family-led company. Medline will continue to be led by the Mills family, who will remain the largest single shareholder. The entire senior management team will stay in place, Medline says.

The company plans to use the new resources from the partnership to expand its product offerings, accelerate international expansion and continue to make new infrastructure investments to strengthen its global supply chain.

Including debt, the transaction would be valued at about $34 billion, and north of $30 billion excluding borrowings, people familiar with the matter said. That could potentially make it the largest healthcare leveraged buyout ever, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Family-owned Medline is a major player in the field of medical equipment. Brothers James and Jon Mills founded the company in 1966, taking it public in 1972. The brothers bought back the shares five years later. James’s son Charlie has been Medline’s CEO since 1997.

It manufactures and distributes equipment and supplies used in hospitals, surgery centers, acute care and other medical facilities in more than 125 countries. Medline’s vast array of products include surgical gowns, examination gloves and diagnostic equipment, as well as consumer-facing brands such as Curad bandages.

The investment is expected to be completed in late 2021 and is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Following the transaction, the family would remain the single largest shareholder in the company after the buyout, and the management team would remain in place, the company said Saturday.

Big employers step deeper into healthcare: 15 recent moves from Amazon, JPMorgan, Walmart & more

Alia Paavola – Friday, May 28th, 2021

Several large employers, including Amazon, JPMorgan Chase and Walmart, have deepened their presence in healthcare. 

Below is a breakdown of the most recent stories about those moves, as reported by Becker’s Hospital Review. 

Amazon

1. Amazon considering building brick-and-mortar pharmacies, report says
Amazon is considering building brick-and-mortar pharmacies, according to a May 26 report from Insider that cited three anonymous people familiar with the matter.  

2. Amazon plans expansion into diagnostics
Amazon is planning to launch a business that will offer at-home medical tests.

3. Amazon launches digital mental health program for US employees: 5 details
Amazon rolled out a new mental health benefit May 20 for its 950,000 U.S. employees, giving them and their families access to services such as virtual counseling. The program is dubbed Resources for Living.

4. Amazon to roll out health, wellness program to all US employees by 2022 
Amazon will launch WorkingWell, a program that gives employees physical, mental and nutritional support, across its entire U.S. operations network by the end of 2021.

5. Amazon Care secures first enterprise client
Amazon Care, the e-commerce giant’s new healthcare venture, signed its first enterprise client.

Google

1. Google, HCA partner for health algorithms: 7 things to know
HCA Healthcare inked a multiyear collaboration with Google Cloud focused on building a health data analytics platform to support the Nashville, Tenn.-based system’s clinical and operational workflow.

2. Google, Northwestern Medicine partner to develop AI tool to triage breast cancer patients
Google and Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine are teaming up to develop an artificial intelligence tool to support clinician work by triaging mammography patients.

3. Google, Gilead, Morehouse & more launch health disparity tracker
Atlanta-based Morehouse School of Medicine on May 26 launched its Health Equity Tracker, a data platform showing the disparate effects COVID-19 has brought upon people of color and those with a lower socioeconomic status. The data tracker is funded by Google, Gilead, Annie E. Casey Foundation and CDC Foundation. 

JPMorgan Chase

1. JPMorgan launches healthcare company, Morgan Health
JPMorgan Chase on May 20 unveiled its new healthcare company, dubbed Morgan Health, which its top executive told Becker’s Hospital Review can be viewed as a continuation of Haven, an ambitious healthcare venture that recently disbanded. 

2. JPMorgan seeks finance leader for new health business
JPMorgan Chase is seeking a vice president of finance and business management for Morgan Health, its new healthcare company focused on improving the quality of healthcare in the U.S.

Tyson Foods

1. Tyson Foods opens 1st medical clinic for employees
Tyson Foods opened its first medical clinic for employees in Dyersburg, Tenn., the company said May 5.

Walmart

1. Walmart to bring telehealth nationwide with acquisition of MeMD: 8 details
Walmart Health has entered an agreement to acquire on-demand, multispecialty telehealth provider MeMD, the retailer said May 6.

2. Walmart partners with telehealth startup Ro: 4 things to know
Ro, a direct-to-consumer telehealth app for pharmacy services, inked its first retail collaboration with Walmart, the companies announced April 28. 

3. Walmart to launch digital records for COVID-19 vaccine recipients
Walmart will make COVID-19 vaccination records available digitally for those who receive shots at Walmart and Sam’s Club, the retailer announced March 17.

4. Walmart heir to build medical school in Arkansas
Walmart heir Alice Walton said she plans to finance and build a medical school in northwest Arkansas. The Whole Health School of Medicine in Bentonville will be a nonprofit, independent entity.

Texas AG sues Biden administration over revoked Medicaid funding

Morgan Haefner  Becker Healthcare News

May, 17, 2021

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration May 14, alleging that its decision to revoke a state Medicaid funding waiver was an unlawful “power grab.” 

In April, CMS rescinded approval for a Section 1115 waiver amendment that would have extended reimbursement to Texas hospitals for uncompensated care through September 2030. The Biden administration said that under the previous administration, CMS and Texas failed to adhere to public comment period requirements in the approval process. CMS argued that the public comment period is necessary for stakeholders to share feedback.

In a May 14 news release accompanying the lawsuit, Mr. Paxton said, “the Biden Administration cannot simply breach a contract and topple Texas’s Medicaid system without warning. … Not only does this violate agency regulations and threaten to rip a $30 billion hole in Texas’s budget, it was clearly intended to force our state into inefficiently expanding Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”

Texas has had an extension for its 1115 waiver agreement since 2011, according to The Texas Tribune. The current waiver is set to expire in October 2022.

What full approval of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine could mean for rollout

Maia Anderson Becker Healthcare

Pfizer said May 4 that it will file for full FDA-approval of its COVID-19 vaccine by the end of this month. But what does full approval mean, and will it change the vaccine rollout? 

Seven things to know: 

  1. To get full FDA approval, drugmakers have to submit six months of data, according to ABC 10News San Diego.
  2. It typically takes the FDA about six months to review an application for full approval of a high-priority drug. Pfizer has said it expects a decision from the FDA in the second half of this year.
  3. Gaining full approval would allow Pfizer to market the vaccine directly to consumers.
  4.  Full approval will allow the vaccine to remain on the market after the pandemic is over, according to The New York Times.
  5. Colleges, universities and companies are legally allowed to require their students or employees to get the vaccine if it’s fully approved, ABC 10News reported. The University of California and California State University school systems have said that once COVID-19 vaccines are fully approved, they will require students, faculty and staff members to be vaccinated, the Times reported. The U.S. military has also said it wouldn’t make vaccines mandatory as long as they only have emergency authorization.
  6. Full approval could make it harder for other drug companies to get an emergency use authorization for their COVID-19 vaccines. Federal law says companies can only get emergency authorization if there’s “no adequate, approved and available alternative,” according to ABC 10News. To get emergency authorization for a new COVID-19 vaccine, drugmakers would have to prove their shot is better at tackling virus variants or better for certain populations.
  7. Full approval could help boost confidence in the vaccine, especially in people who are worried about how quickly it was developed, according to the Times.

    “I think people still have concerns about it, even if they know that no corners were cut. It will nudge people to say, ‘OK, it’s been thoroughly vetted,'” Rupali Limaye, a public health researcher at Johns Hopkins, told the Times

ZOLL Medical Corporation Acquires Respicardia, Inc

April 12, 2021 — CHELMSFORD, MASS. — ZOLL® Medical Corporation, an Asahi Kasei company that manufactures medical devices and related software solutions, today announced that it has acquired Respicardia, Inc., a provider of novel implantable neurostimulators for the treatment of moderate to severe Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). CSA is a serious condition that is often associated with heart failure, coronary artery disease, and certain cardiac arrhythmias.

Respicardia’s remedē® System is a revolutionary treatment for CSA, and is the only implantable device approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat moderate to severe CSA in adult patients with reduced cardiac function.1 CSA results in shallow or disrupted breathing during sleep, and many patients with CSA also have heart disease, especially heart failure.2 Within this population, patients with CSA are at increased risk for hospitalizations and even death.3,4

“ZOLL and Respicardia both develop innovative therapies for conditions with large unmet clinical needs, and we share a deep commitment to improving patient outcomes,” said Jon Rennert, CEO of ZOLL Medical. “With this acquisition, ZOLL will combine its expertise in cardiac and respiratory care with Respicardia’s novel remedē® System to make a meaningful difference in the health and quality of life for many patients.”

CSA occurs when the brain fails to send appropriate signals to the breathing muscles that stimulate a regular breathing pattern. CSA symptoms include chronic fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, cognitive impairment and inability to get restful sleep. CSA is distinct from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which results from a blockage of the upper airway.5

Respicardia’s remedē® System is implanted by a cardiac electrophysiologist during a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. The remedē® System delivers electrical pulses to one of the phrenic nerves, which send signals to the diaphragm, restoring a more normal breathing pattern during sleep. Respicardia estimates there are more than one million CSA patients in the U.S. alone who could benefit from the remedē® System,6 which has been shown to improve sleep, enhance well-being, and reduce daytime sleepiness, enabling better overall health.7

“Respicardia is excited to be joining the ZOLL family,” said Peter Sommerness, CEO of Respicardia. “As an innovator of safe and effective therapies that address the unmet needs of respiratory and cardiovascular patients, we see tremendous potential ahead with the support of ZOLL’s strong brand and global reach.”

ZOLL, which has been a significant investor in Respicardia for more than three years, will welcome all Respicardia employees into its global workforce, and will maintain Respicardia’s current headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

About ZOLL Medical Corporation

ZOLL Medical Corporation, an Asahi Kasei company, develops and markets medical devices and software solutions that help advance emergency care and save lives, while increasing clinical and operational efficiencies. With products for defibrillation and cardiac monitoring, circulation enhancement and CPR feedback, supersaturated oxygen therapy, data management, ventilation, and therapeutic temperature management, ZOLL provides a comprehensive set of technologies that help clinicians, EMS and fire professionals, as well as lay rescuers, improve patient outcomes in critical cardiopulmonary conditions. For more information, visit www.zoll.com.

About Asahi Kasei

The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber business, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 40,000 employees around the world, the company contributes to sustainable society by providing solutions to the world’s challenges through its three business sectors of Material, Homes, and Health Care. Its health care operations include devices and systems for acute critical care, dialysis, therapeutic apheresis, transfusion, and manufacture of biotherapeutics, as well as pharmaceuticals and diagnostic reagents. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.com.

Copyright © 2021 ZOLL Medical Corporation. All rights reserved. ZOLL is a registered trademark of ZOLL Medical Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Asahi Kasei is a registered trademark of Asahi Kasei Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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