16 Mar 2010 07:00
Embargoed: 0700hrs, 16 March 2010
Akers Biosciences, Inc.
("ABI" or the "Company")
Clinical Study Data - PIFA Heparin/PF-4 Rapid Assay
Akers Biosciences, Inc. (AIM:AKR), a leading designer and manufacturer of rapid diagnostic screening and testing products, is pleased to announce that researchers at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital presented data supporting the clinical utility of ABI's PIFA Heparin/PF-4 Rapid Assay at the 30th International Symposium of Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine ("ISICEM") last week in Brussels, Belgium.
This study is one of the first of its kind to investigate heparin-induced thrombocytopenia ("HIT") in critically ill patients and its relation to the results of several different laboratory methods, such as the Company's PIFA rapid assay, a laboratory-based ELISA assay, and a gold standard reference assay. In addition, clinical symptoms and diagnoses, as well as patient outcomes, are also compared to the laboratory results, thus providing a comprehensive status of the patient. The authors have concluded, from the interim data obtained thus far, that ABI's unique, patented PIFA assay can quickly rule out the presence of HIT, thus preventing a patient from receiving unnecessary alternative anticoagulation therapy, and assisting the physician in the rapid diagnosis of the patient's condition. Significantly, the PIFA assay has outperformed the ELISA assay in this respect thus far in the study.
Dr Raymond Akers, Executive Chairman, commented,
"These exciting data underscore the medical necessity for rapid diagnostic testing in critical care situations and, in particular, the value of ABI's PIFA Heparin/PF-4 Rapid Assay in the diagnosis of HIT. Being able to rule out HIT quickly is a significant tool for diagnosticians and can point them in the right direction to a successful patient outcome. Conversely, a positive indication for HIT by our rapid assay can result in a positive diagnosis much quicker than an instrumentation-based method, and more accurately. This can mean the difference between life and death."
The abstract is entitled "Evaluation of the Particle Immunofiltration Assay (PIFA) Heparin/PF4 Rapid Assay in MICU patients with thrombocytopenia," and was authored by Dr. D.M. Andrews and colleagues. The full text of the abstract can be found at on the ISICEM web-site: http://www.intensive.org/admin/upload/abstract/1079190508/P/P366.pdf. This study has been funded by the Company.
Enquiries:
Thomas A. Nicolette
President and CEO
Tel. +1 856 848 8698
Ben Simons
M: Communications
Tel. +44 (0)20 7920 2340
Alasdair Younie/Ben Wells
Arbuthnot Securities Limited
Tel. +44 (0)20 7012 2000
Akers Biosciences, Inc. develops, manufactures, and supplies rapid, point of care screening and testing products designed to bring rapid healthcare information directly to the patient 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 at www.akersbiosciences.com
AKR.L (AKR)