AKR.L Regulatory News (AKR)

11 Oct 2006 07:00

Embargoed: 0700hrs, 11 October,2006 Akers Biosciences, Inc. ("Akers" or the "Company") Akers Biosciences Receives U.S. Department of Transportation Clearance to Market its Rapid Alcohol Breathalyzers Thorofare, NJ, USA-11 October, 2006--Akers Biosciences Inc. (LSE:AKR) ispleased to announce today that it has received market clearance from theNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the United States Departmentof Transportation ("DOT") for its new Breath Alcohol Check .02 DetectionSystem.The DOT approval announced today will allow the Company to address a new $40million government requirement for alcohol breathalyzers in the maritime safetyindustry, as estimated by the US Coast Guard. The Company believes that itsproducts are highly suitable for this industry because of advantages inease-of-use and product stability under maritime conditions. The Company willnow also be able to target its products to all other sectors of the UStransportation industry.Following this approval, the company's products will be distributed by QuestDiagnostics, Inc. and the company's network of distributors. The Companybelieves that the DOT approval will positively impact the pursuit of sales inother market sectors, including law enforcement, employee screening, personaluse, and the educational system.The Company's breathalyzers provide reliable indicators of alcohol present in aperson's breath, which is, in turn, related to a person's blood alcohol level.The single-use devices are portable and low-cost. In a new strategy, theCompany has enhanced the technology through the development of small electronicreaders. The Company believes that this new product positioning will improveboth market penetration and product margins. The Company is the onlymanufacturer of portable alcohol breathalyzers in the United States.Dr. Ray Akers, CEO of Akers Biosciences said, "We are delighted to be able toannounce this market clearance today. This is a significant milestone in theexpansion of our breathalyzer business. We believe that this approval willproduce revenues in 2006."For further information, please contact,Dr. Ray Akers Chief Executive Officer, Akers 020 7917 9476 Biosciences, Inc. Paul Freedman 001 856 848 8698 Chief Financial Officer, Akers Biosciences, Inc. Ben Simons Hansard Communications 020 7245 1100 Akers BiosciencesAkers Biosciences, Inc. develops, manufactures, and supplies rapid, point ofcare screening and testing products designed to bring healthcare informationboth rapidly and directly to the patient or healthcare provider. The Companyhas advanced the science of diagnostics while responding to major shifts inhealthcare through the development of several proprietary platformtechnologies. The company's state-of-the-art rapid diagnostic assays can beperformed virtually anywhere in minutes when time is of the essence. Akers hasaligned with major healthcare companies and high volume medical products distributors to maximize product offerings, and to be a major worldwidecompetitor in diagnostics. Additional information on the Company and itsproducts can be found at www.akersbiosciences.com.ENDAKERS BIOSCIENCES INC