Akers Biosciences secures US distribution for heparin test

Shares in Akers Biosciences were higher on news that it had secured a major distribution agreement in the US for its test to determine if patients will have a reaction to blood thinner heparin. The company's PIFA Heparin/PF4 and PIFA PLUSS PF4 rapid tests with Medline Industries, which it said was one of the largest distributors of healthcare supplies in the US.Using its network of 40 distribution centres in the country, Medline will begin marketing the company's tests to hospitals and surgery centres across the US "immediately", with Akers stressing that Medline has strong relationships with multiple hospital departments, including pharmacies. The two assays test for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), which is an acute reaction to heparin that may result in life- and limb-threatening thrombosis.In the US, roughly 12m patients, or one-third of hospital admissions, are exposed to Heparin annually and Akers said 1%-5% of those are later diagnosed with HIT.Shares in Akers were up 11.11% to 300p at 11:05 on Wednesday morning. OH