Sphere Medical opens new production site in Wales

Sphere Medical has announced the opening of a new Welsh commercial production facility in St Asaph as it seeks to bolster its growth capabilities.

The new site incorporates a state-of-the-art cleanroom, providing the necessary manufacturing capacity to meet the expected growing demand for Sphere's Proxima in-line arterial blood gas monitoring system over the coming years. 

Edwina Hart, minister for economy, science and transport for the Welsh Government, was on hand to oversee the official launch of the St Asaph facility, which was developed with assistance from the Wales Life Sciences Investment Fund.

Dr Wolfgang Rencken, chief executive officer of Sphere Medical, said: "The official opening of our new manufacturing facility marks a significant moment for Sphere, as the benefits of using Proxima in a critical care setting are realised and demand through Europe grows."

Proxima allows blood to be drawn directly from the patient for analysis, with all blood then returned to the patient. This avoids blood loss, reduces infection risks and helps to provide faster results.

Sphere recently sold a unit to a major teaching hospital in Germany for the close management of unstable critically ill patients.