Akers Biosciences to market Heparin PF4 rapid test in Puerto Rico

Akers Biosciences, a developer of rapid health information technologies, has begun marketing its rapid test for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (“HIT”) to the large number of hospital facilities in Puerto Rico as an extension of the company’s strategy to accelerate U.S. sales of its flagship product.

Akers Bio has appointed a specialist independent outsourced sales group to represent the test in Puerto Rico as well as a leading channel partner with established logistical access in the region.

John J. Gormally, Chief Executive Officer of Akers Bio, commented: “Puerto Rico is a strategically important market for Akers Bio to target as an extension of our U.S. sales strategy. There are some 64 potential hospital customers on the island and we believe the opportunity to enable those prospective customers to generate significant cost savings through the timely diagnosis of HIT will be very attractive.”

The company explained that PIFA Heparin/PF4 Rapid Assay and PIFA PLUSS PF4 tests were designed to quickly determine at – or near – the point-of-care if a patient being treated with the widely used blood thinner heparin may be developing HIT. This clinical syndrome reverses heparin’s intended therapeutic effect and transforms it into a clotting agent. Patients suffering HIT are at risk of developing limb- and life-threatening complications, so the timely test result provided by the company’s Heparin/PF4 devices is paramount to effective and cost-efficient clinical decision making, the company said.