Akers Biosciences Signs European Deals For PIFA Heparin PF4 Rapid Assay Products

(RTTNews) - Akers Biosciences, Inc. (AKER, AKR.L), a manufacturer of rapid diagnostic screening and testing products, Thursday said it has entered into multi-year distribution agreements for PIFA Heparin/PF4 Rapid Assay products with France's Cryopep SARL, covering France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. It also signed deal with Switzerland's DiaLine AG, covering Switzerland and Lichtenstein.

This is the firm's first European distribution agreements since the installment of its international vice president in August 2014.

The company said its PIFA Heparin/PF4 Rapid Assay and PIFA PLUSS PF4 are the only US and EU cleared rapid manual assays that quickly determine if a patient being treated with the blood thinner heparin may be developing a drug allergy. This clinical syndrome known as heparin induced thrombocytopenia or HIT reverses the heparin's intended therapeutic effect and transforms it into a clotting agent.

Cryopep's managing director, Norbert Benattar, has been involved in the sale of haemostasis related products since 1987, while DiaLine has been distributing haemostasis related products for over 17 years.

Raymond Akers, Jr., Co-founder and Executive Chairman, said, "Growing international distribution, particularly of the Company's flagship PIFA Heparin/PF4 Rapid Assay products, is a core component of Akers Biosciences' growth strategy. I am delighted to see the first pieces of the European network established, adding to the already established distribution channels in the US, China, India, Australia and the Middle East."