A Calgary-based company will create up to 100 jobs and provide more than 40 million locally made medical masks to Alberta Health Services (AHS). 

The $60-million two-year agreement between AHS and Orpyx Medical Technologies comes after Orpyx responded to Alberta’s Bits and Pieces program, which sought local organizations and companies to develop and provide goods and services to support the province’s response to the pandemic. 

Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health, says, “This is a great example of the way businesses have stepped up to help get us through the pandemic, and the importance of health care as an economic driver. Sourcing masks from Orpyx, an established Calgary-based company, helps us continue protecting health-care workers and the public from COVID-19.” 

(Courtesy AHS)

 

The company began manufacturing masks in August and delivered its first supply of masks to AHS in September. Orpyx will continue supplying masks regularly over the next two years, supplementing masks being purchased from other vendors.  

An independent testing lab has reviewed the supply of masks to ensure they meet international clinical standards. The review process also involved front-line health-care workers through the AHS Quality Assurance Group. 

Dr. Breanne Everett, president and CEO, Orpyx, says, “What started as an initiative to collect PPE donations to support Calgary health-care facilities quickly led to discussions among Calgary business leaders on local manufacturing capabilities. Through our collaboration with Fidelity Machine & Mould Solutions, Engineered Air and Edon Management, we are now producing three-ply procedural face masks with plenty of room to expand.” 

(Courtesy AHS)

Prior to COVID 19, AHS used about 33,000 masks per day. They now use an average of 600,000 masks a day. Orpyx will supply more than 40 million masks over two years. They will be distributed to health-care workers, patients, visitors and families at AHS and affiliate health-care sites across the province.