Apple is granting $10 million (Dh36.7m) to Copan Diagnostics, a market leader in the manufacturing of sample collection kits used in Covid-19 testing.
The Cupertino-headquartered iPhone manufacturer will release this funding from its Advanced Manufacturing Fund, the company said in a statement.
This injection of new capital will help California-based Copan to rapidly accelerate its supply of sample collection kits to hospitals, expanding production from several thousand today to more than one million kits per week by early July, it added.
“We feel a deep sense of responsibility to do everything we can to help medical workers, patients and communities support the global response to Covid-19,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.
Copan is one of the world’s “most innovative” manufacturers of sample collection kits for coronavirus testing and “we are thrilled to partner with them so they can expand as we work to address this critical issue,” added Mr Williams.
As part of the effort, Copan will also move to a new, larger facility in Southern California, with advanced equipment that Apple is helping to design. This expansion is expected to create more than 50 new jobs.
“We are excited to forge this new relationship with Apple, whose teams are already making a huge difference with our efforts to scale up the production of our sample collection and transport kits,” said Norman Sharples, chief executive of Copan.
“Apple’s operational expertise will help us increase delivery of important pre-analytical tools for medical professionals at this critical time,” he noted.
So far, Apple has donated millions of dollars towards the global Covid-19 response, including Global Citizen and America’s Food Fund.
In addition, it designed, tested and distributed almost 10 million face shields and sourced over 30 million face masks for healthcare professionals in hard-hit areas.
It also shared design files and manufacturing guides for making face shields on its website to encourage other manufacturers to help meet a shortage during the current Covid-19 pandemic.
In a rare partnership, it teamed up with Google last month to introduce a contact-tracing technology to reduce the spread of contagion.
The first phase of this technology, which will warn users if they have been near an infected person, is expected to go live in the coming days.
In March, Apple also released a new screening tool and set of resources to help people stay informed and take the proper steps to protect their health during the spread of the coronavirus.
Apple's Covid-19 app and website allow users to answer a series of questions about risk factors, recent exposure and symptoms for themselves or a loved one. The site gives recommendations, including guidance on social distancing and how to closely monitor symptoms.
Global Covid-19 statistics stand at 3.8 million cases, 1.2 million recoveries and about 270,000 deaths on Friday morning, according to Johns Hopkins data.
