29 Feb 2016 07:00
Embargoed: 0700hrs 29 February 2016
Akers Biosciences, Inc.
Senior Commercial Team Appointments
Akers Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKER) (AIM: AKR.L), ("Akers Bio" or the "Company"), a developer of health information technologies, has further strengthened its commercial team with the appointments of Douglas Carrara and Tony Saporito in senior sales and marketing roles.
Douglas Carrara joins Akers Bio as Vice President, Global Marketing and Commercial Operations. He has over 25 years' experience in the clinical diagnostics arena, particularly within sales, marketing and global operations. Douglas joins Akers Bio from Quest Diagnostics where he was the Senior Director of Strategic Accounts that led a team of directors responsible for developing and implementing strategic relationships within the acute care market. Prior to Quest Diagnostics, Douglas worked for Becton Dickinson for 22 years in various leadership positions. In his last role there, as Director of Customer Solutions, Douglas led a team that produced growth in revenues from a zero base to over $23 million in annual sales within a 3 year timeframe.
Tony Saporito joins the Company as Vice President, US Sales and Distribution. He has a track record of building and leading high-performance businesses in the medical device and clinical diagnostics arenas for two decades. Prior to joining Akers Bio, Tony held the role of Strategic Account Executive with The Midmark Corporation, where he was responsible for driving new business through group purchasing organizations, integrated health systems and distribution. Prior to this role, Tony spent 10 years at ConvaTec, a former division of Bristol-Myers Squibb. In his last role there, Tony was responsible for an organization of 63 employees, generating annual revenues in excess of $65 million and averaging annual sales growth of approximately 20%.
"I am delighted that we have been able to attract two executives of such high caliber to Akers Bio. Their skill sets are highly relevant to our commercial strategy for growing product sales over the coming years and we are very excited to have them on board," said Raymond F. Akers, Jr. PhD, Co-founder and Executive Chairman.
"Having worked with both Douglas and Tony at Becton Dickinson, I have direct experience of their first class abilities to execute highly profitable sales strategies," said John Gormally, CEO. "Douglas will be instrumental in building an evidence-based outcome value proposition marketing strategy, particularly to support the growth of Akers Bio's flagship test for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Tony will lead the channel management strategy for Akers Bio in the US as we develop highly engaged, integrated business plans with our customers and distribution partners that enhance mutual gains in efficiency, productivity and profitability," added John Gormally.
About Akers Biosciences, Inc.
Akers Biosciences develops, manufactures, and supplies rapid screening and testing products designed to deliver quicker and more cost-effective healthcare information to healthcare providers and consumers. 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 product 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 at www.akersbio.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
Tel. +1 856 848 8698
Taglich Brothers, Inc. (Investor Relations)
Chris Schreiber
Tel. +1 917 445 6207
Email: cs@taglichbrothers.com
finnCap (UK Nominated Adviser and Broker)
Adrian Hargrave / Scott Mathieson (Corporate Finance)
Steve Norcross (Broking)
Tel. +44 (0)20 7220 0500
Vigo Communications (Public Relations)
Ben Simons / Fiona Henson
Tel. +44 (0)20 7830 9700
Email: akers@vigocomms.com