Akers Biosciences, Thorofare, NJ, has added six distributors to market its rapid tests for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) in nine countries within Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

Akers is a medical device company focused on reducing the cost of healthcare through the use of faster, easier diagnostics. The company has signed multiyear distribution agreements for its PIFA heparin/PF4 rapid assay products with Accuscience Ireland, covering Ireland and Northern Ireland; AVL Sofia, covering Bulgaria; LabPro, covering Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina; Masterlab, covering Morocco; Pathway Diagnostics, covering Great Britain; and Tokra Medikal Tic, covering Turkey.

Akers

Raymond F. Akers, Jr, PhD, Akers Biosciences

Akers has developed the only CE marked and FDA-cleared rapid test for detecting HIT, a potentially fatal allergy to the widely used blood thinner, heparin. HIT reverses heparin’s intended therapeutic effect and transforms it into a clotting agent. Worldwide, millions of patients are exposed to heparin each year, and between 1% and 5% of those patients receive a diagnosis of HIT.

The largest at-risk populations for HIT are patients undergoing major cardiac or orthopedic surgical procedures. Patients suffering HIT are at risk of developing limb- and life-threatening complications, so rapid diagnosis is essential for effective clinical decision-making.

“As sales of our rapid tests for HIT continue to rise in the US, we are actively seeking to roll out the marketing to other countries around the world,” says Raymond F. Akers, Jr, PhD, Akers cofounder 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-US markets, including China.”

“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,” adds Nicolas Daurel, Akers vice president for EMEA sales and marketing. “We are confident that our international partners have these credentials and look forward to supporting their strategies.”

Meanwhile, Akers has also been busy building its presence in the United States, recently signing an exclusive master distributor agreement with ADS Inc for the marketing and supply of Akers’ rapid diagnostic assays to US government agencies and departments. ADS is the premier equipment procurement and support solutions specialist to the military, law enforcement, first responders, and defense industries in the United States.

The agreement with ADS has an initial term of 18 months, and spans the entirety of Akers’ product catalog. Marketing activities will focus initially on Akers’ rapid test for HIT; a rapid, lightweight test for determining blood type compatibility in remote locations; and line of rapid tests for infectious diseases, including malaria and dengue fever.

“Akers and ADS have identified a number of areas in which US government departments such as the Department of Defense could benefit significantly from the introduction of the company’s rapid diagnostic assays,” says Raymond F. Akers, Jr, PhD. “ADS is the preeminent distributor to this important target market, so we are delighted to partner with them through this agreement to reach these large potential customers.”

For further information, visit Akers Biosciences.