Akers Biosciences Signs Feasibility Study Deal With Konica Minolta to Develop Rapid Test to Aid Heart Attack Diagnoses
July 28 2014 - 2:00AM
Akers Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:AKER) (LSE:AKR) (the "Company" or
"Akers"), a leading designer and manufacturer of rapid diagnostic
screening and testing products, has signed a feasibility study deal
with Konica Minolta, Inc. ("Konica Minolta") to develop a rapid
test for the early detection of cardiac muscle tissue damage – a
condition commonly observed in patients suffering myocardial
infarction (heart attacks). Heart attacks are the leading cause of
death in U.S, with approximately 1.1 million Americans suffering
heart attacks each year.
The Japanese technology company, Konica Minolta, has asked Akers
to study a diagnostic test based on Akers' proprietary Particle
Immuno Filtration Assay ("PIFA") technology which, if successful,
will facilitate the rapid detection of biomarkers present in a
blood sample which can be used to identify cardiac muscle tissue
damage. Such tissue damage can occur even at the early stages of a
heart attack so early diagnosis could have a significant beneficial
impact on patient treatment. The PIFA technology, when combined
with Akers' proprietary Rapid Blood Cell Separation Technology,
seraSTAT, permits the testing of whole blood from a finger prick
sample allowing a test to be carried out in minutes at the point of
care.
Currently available tests for cardiac muscle tissue damage
require a blood draw and the use of an interpretation device (a
reader); and typically take 20-30 minutes to complete in a
laboratory. Konica Minolta, at its own cost, has asked Akers to
study a test which can be performed in under 10 minutes, using only
a small blood sample obtained from a finger stick; and which can be
read visually at the point of care.
"Identifying the early stages of a heart attack – or knowing
that one has occurred - is critical for treatment," said Raymond F.
Akers Jr., Ph.D, Executive Chairman. "Many heart attacks develop
slowly; some without obvious symptoms or some with symptoms
commonly associated with other conditions such as indigestion,
fatigue or stress. Therefore the ability to perform real-time
diagnoses of cardiac muscle tissue damage which is specifically
indicative of myocardial infarction would dramatically impact the
treatment of heart attack sufferers and improve survival rates,"
continued Dr. Akers. "Konica Minolta has asked Akers to study a
diagnostic test which, if successful, would be the world's first
test to diagnose a heart attack in real-time," added Dr. Akers.
"That Konica Minolta has selected Akers to study such a test is
a significant endorsement of our proprietary technologies which
make many different types of rapid diagnoses possible. We are
excited to work with them."
Additionally, it is important to note that the Company will
retain all of its intellectual property rights related to the test
being developed for Konica Minolta.
ABOUT KONICA MINOLTA
The Konica Minolta Group's global business operations are
centered on business technologies, where products are typified by
office MFPs (multi-functional peripherals); industrial business,
where the company provides measuring instruments used in quality
management in the manufacturing process, including TAC films and
displays, which are core components of LCD panels; and healthcare,
where the company makes digital X-ray diagnostic imaging
systems.
ABOUT AKERS BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Akers Biosciences develops, manufactures, and supplies rapid,
point of care screening and testing products designed to bring
healthcare information both rapidly and directly to the consumer 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 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.
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.
CONTACT: Raymond F. Akers, Jr. PhD
Executive Chairman of the Board
Akers Biosciences, Inc.
Tel. +1 856 848 8698
Twitter. @AkersBio
Brendan Hopkins
RedChip Companies, Inc. (US Investor Relations)
Tel. +1 407 644 4256 x134
Emma Earl / Harrison Clarke
Daniel Stewart (Nomad and Broker)
Tel. +44 (0)20 7776 6550
Ben Simons / Alexandra Roper
Vigo Communications (UK Investor Relations)
Tel. +44 (0)20 7016 9570
Email. akers@vigocomms.com
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