Akers Biosciences buddies up with established US medical distributors

Healthcare developer and supplier Akers Biosciences has appointed two independent sales representatives (ISR) to assist with the US marketing and sales of its Heparin/PF4 Rapid Assay.

The agreements are with Opto-Systems, which has four decades of experience in medical device sales and distribution, and Herzog Surgical, a Sacramento-based company with a 30 year track record of specialised distribution of a wide range of medicinal products.

John Gormally, chief executive of Akers Biosciences, said of the appointments: "It represents the third wave of our commercialization strategy which included value captured in price, a strategy to target integrated delivery networks and now, a strategy to influence the clinical pathway by educating the clinical end-users on the critical medical benefits of adopting this rapid test for heparin platelet factor 4 antibodies."

The Heparin/PF4 Rapid Assay is a rapid test for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), or low platelet count, which predisposes subjects to the formation of clots in blood vessels.

"We are thrilled to be working with Opto-Systems and Herzog Surgical whose respective specialized capabilities will bolster our sales efforts and allow our test to gain substantial additional regional coverage at a clinical level," said Gormally.

As of 1603 BST, Akers Biosciences’ shares were up 5.78% at 43.90p.