THOROFARE, N.J., July 28, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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.