26 Jan 2015 07:00
Embargoed: 0700hrs January 26, 2015
Akers Biosciences, Inc.
European Patent Granted for Akers' Rapid Blood Separation Technology
Akers Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKER) (AIM: AKR.L), (the "Company" or "Akers"), a leading designer and manufacturer of rapid diagnostic screening and testing products, announces that the European Patent Office has issued a patent surrounding the Company's novel blood separator technology and method of separating a fluid fraction from whole blood (the "Technology"). Akers was granted U.S. patent protection for the Technology in 2011.
The Technology, developed and wholly owned by Akers, enables rapid blood cell separation of small volumes of whole blood, including those obtained from finger stick samples. By utilizing the Technology, serum or plasma samples are extracted within 30-90 seconds and are ready for immediate analysis. By contrast, conventional methods of blood cell separation are labor-intensive and time consuming, taking 30-120 minutes, and typically involving blood collection and laboratory personnel as well as electrically-powered centrifuges and other specialized equipment.
The Technology, which further accelerates the rate at which a test result is obtained, is marketed by Akers under the brand name seraSTAT® and forms a key component of the Company's PIFA product range (Akers' proprietary platform for rapidly detecting or measuring specific proteins or other substances through their properties as antigens or antibodies). In addition to seraSTAT®'s incorporation within some of the Company's own diagnostic tests, Akers intends to license its proprietary blood separator Technology to third parties seeking to accelerate their own testing procedures by facilitating the blood cell separation process as a component of their test.
"We believe the Company's blood separator Technology has a wide range of potential applications and we are actively seeking potential commercialization partners and licensees in both Europe and the U.S.," said Raymond F. Akers, Jr. PhD, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of the Board.
"This Technology can make blood cell separation dramatically quicker and less resource-intensive than traditional methods - with significant potential advantages related to cost savings, staff efficiency, and the ability to perform certain diagnostic tests in the field versus lab environments," continued Dr. Akers.
ABOUT AKERS BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Akers Biosciences develops, manufactures, and supplies rapid, point of care screening and testing products designed to bring healthcare information both rapidly and directly to the consumer or healthcare provider. The Company has advanced the science of diagnostics while responding to major shifts in healthcare through the development of several proprietary platform technologies. The Company's state-of-the-art rapid diagnostic assays can be performed virtually anywhere in minutes when time is of the essence. The Company has aligned with major healthcare companies and high volume medical products distributors to maximize product offerings, and to be a major worldwide competitor in diagnostics.
Additional information on the Company and its products can be found on our website at www.akersbiosciences.com. Follow us on Twitter @AkersBio.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Statements contained herein that are not based upon current or historical fact are forward-looking in nature and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company's expectations about its future operating results, performance and opportunities that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These statements include but are not limited to statements regarding the intended terms of the offering, closing of the offering and use of any proceeds from the offering. When used herein, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "upcoming," "plan," "target", "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to Akers Biosciences, Inc., its subsidiaries, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements.
For more information:
Akers Biosciences, Inc.
Raymond F. Akers, Jr. PhD
Executive Chairman of the Board
Tel. +1 856 848 8698
RedChip Companies, Inc. (US Investor Relations)
Jon Cunningham
Tel. +1 407 644 4256 x107
finnCap (UK Nominated Adviser and Broker)
Geoff Nash / Scott Mathieson (Corporate Finance)
Steve Norcross (Broking)
Tel. +44 (0)20 7220 0500
Vigo Communications (UK Investor Relations)
Ben Simons / Alexandra Roper
Tel. +44 (0)20 7016 9570
Email. akers@vigocomms.com