AKR.L Share News (AKR)

(ShareCast News) - Rapid health information technology developer Akers Biosciences announced on Friday it has signed a three-year agreement with the Greater New York Hospital Association to introduce its flagship rapid tests for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia across the association's network of over 300 member hospitals.The AIM-traded company said GNYHA is a trade and group purchasing association representing a large number of hospitals and healthcare systems in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island.Akers Bio's flagship PIFA Heparin/PF4 Rapid Assay and PIFA PLUSS PF4 tests were designed to quickly determine at or near the point of care if a patient being treated with the widely used blood thinner heparin may be developing HIT.The firm said the clinical syndrome reverses heparin's intended therapeutic effect and transforms it into a clotting agent, with patients suffering HIT at risk of developing limb and life-threatening complications.It said its rapid tests have the capacity to provide dramatic cost savings for hospitals when compared to traditional testing methodologies for detecting HIT.The company estimated that a typical hospital can save between $0.5m and $1m per annum in testing, pharmacy, and clinical monitoring costs.Under the terms of the agreement, Akers Bio's flagship PIFA Heparin/PF4 Rapid Assay and PIFA PLUSS PF4 tests will be evaluated at two significant GNYHA member hospitals - Kaleida Health, which is the largest provider in Western New York; and Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, a major teaching hospital in Brooklyn.The outcome of the evaluations will be shared with GNYHA's extensive member network to which Akers Bio will, with GNYHA's support, begin marketing the company's tests."Akers Bio is delighted to have signed a three-year agreement with GNYHA, one of the premier group purchasing organizations in the United States healthcare sector," said Akers chief executive officer John Gormally."Their membership includes a diverse listing of prominent and large integrated delivery networks and hospitals."Gormally said enhanced access to GNYHA's network has the potential to dramatically increase domestic sales of Akers' flagship product."We look forward to working with GNYHA to introduce PIFA Heparin/PF4 clinical diagnostic products that will improve effectiveness, operational efficiency and profitable outcomes for their members."