THOROFARE, N.J., April 13, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akers Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKER ) (AIM:AKR.L), ("Akers" or the "Company"), a medical device company focused on reducing the cost of healthcare through faster, easier diagnostics, has added six new distributors to market its rapid tests for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia ("HIT") in nine additional countries within Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
The Company has signed multi-year distribution agreements for PIFA Heparin/PF4 Rapid Assay products with Pathway Diagnostics Ltd, covering Great Britain; ACCUSCIENCE Ireland Ltd, covering Ireland and Northern Ireland; Tokra Medikal Tic Ltd Sti, covering Turkey; LabPro d.o.o, covering Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina; AVL Sofia Ltd, covering Bulgaria; and MASTERLAB SARL, covering Morocco.
Akers has developed the only U.S. and E.U. cleared rapid test to detect a potentially fatal allergy to the widely used blood thinner, heparin. This clinical syndrome known as HIT reverses heparin's intended therapeutic effect and transforms it into a clotting agent. Patients suffering HIT are at risk of developing limb- and life-threatening complications, so the rapid diagnosis provided by the Company's Heparin/PF4 devices is paramount to effective, clinical decision making. Millions of patients are exposed to heparin around the world each year and between 1% and 5% of those patients receive a HIT diagnosis. The largest at-risk populations are patients undergoing major cardiac or orthopedic surgical procedures.
"As sales of our rapid tests for HIT continue to rise in the U.S., we are actively seeking to roll out the marketing to other countries around the world," said Raymond F. Akers, Jr. PhD, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of the Board. "These additional distribution partnerships add to our expanding global footprint, which now exposes the Company's flagship test to 20 non-U.S. markets including China," continued Dr. Akers.
"Key to growing the international footprint is partnering with distributors with the right networks and experience to drive sales – in some cases in countries where there is no established procedure for testing for HIT," added Nicolas Daurel, Vice President, Sales and Marketing for EMEA. "We are confident that our international partners have these credentials and look forward to supporting their strategies."
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.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 finnCap (UK Nominated Adviser and Broker) Geoff Nash / Scott Mathieson (Corporate Finance) Steve Norcross (Broking) Tel. +44 (0)20 7220 0500 Taglich Brothers, Inc. (US Investor Relations) Chris Schreiber Tel. +1 917 445 6207 Vigo Communications (UK Investor Relations) Ben Simons / Fiona Henson Tel. +44 (0)20 7016 9570 Email:
