Empowering healthcare through technology transfer

IMT Innovations, a Swiss med-tech company with over 30 years of experience in mechanical ventilation, is redefining how critical-care ventilators are brought to market. Rather than exporting finished devices, IMT offers a unique technology licensing model- providing U.S. partners with full access to the IP, engineering, and manufacturing know-how to locally produce next-generation ventilators.

At the heart of this program is the “box” ventilator - a newly developed, AI-ready life-support ventilator designed for ICU and long-term care settings. Engineered to meet FDA 510(k) and EU MDR standards. Thanks to the project's advanced stage, the FDA approval process can begin by mid-2026 at the latest. The box is built for high performance, supply chain independence, and long-term resilience in national healthcare systems.

Harri Friberg, CEO of IMT Innovations, shares insights into the concept and how U.S. manufacturers can take part.

Mr. Friberg, what are the outstanding technical features of the “box” ventilator that make it relevant in clinical practice?

Answer: Our focus was on a combination of high performance, ease of use, and reliability. The device offers a peak flow of over 280 L/min and is suitable for invasive and non-invasive ventilation of adults and children. A key feature is the adaptive trigger technology, combined with advanced algorithms, which ensure optimal patient-ventilator synchrony. This reduces the work of breathing for the patient and improves comfort, which is crucial in non-invasive applications and during weaning. The modular design also allows for future hardware and software expansions. For clinical staff, we have developed an intuitive, touch-optimised user interface that significantly simplifies setup and monitoring.

Instead of distributing the ventilator yourself, you're offering a licensing model. What does that include, and who is it designed for?

Answer: Our mission is to make advanced ventilation technology locally accessible - anywhere in the world. Through our licensing model, we provide partners with a complete technology transfer package. This includes the full technical documentation, manufacturing protocols, regulatory pathways, and supplier network needed to produce and scale the ventilator independently.

Licensees receive the rights to manufacture, further develop, register, and sell the device within their territory - under their own name. We support them through every step, from regulatory approvals (including FDA 510(k) or CE marking) to production setup and technical training.

This business model is designed for forward-thinking med-tech companies, healthcare manufacturers, or government-backed initiatives looking to secure a strategic, self-sufficient supply of critical care technology. Ultimately, the licensee becomes the legal manufacturer for their region - owning both the production and the future of the product.

What strategic advantages does this model offer licensees, especially regarding global supply chains and import tariffs?

Answer: The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of traditional supply chains. Our model creates independence from foreign manufacturers and their delivery capacities. Local production not only eliminates long transport routes but also potentially high import tariffs, thereby significantly reducing costs. The decisive point, however, is the complete transfer of intellectual property (IP). The licensee not only acquires a production license but also gains control over the product design and can even develop the device independently. They thus own their own ventilator. This strengthens the local economy, creates highly qualified jobs, and ensures sustainable, long-term healthcare for its own population.

A box License provides partners with a complete technology transfer package. This includes the full technical documentation, manufacturing protocols, regulatory pathways, and supplier network needed to produce and scale the ventilator independently.

The box Ventilator at a Glance

The box ventilator is licensed to interested regional manufacturers. It is designed for invasive and non-invasive ventilation of children and adults.

The New Distribution Concept (Licensing) at a Glance

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