Microbix QAPs to Support Molecular & Antigen Test Platforms for Multiple Diseases
MISSISSAUGA, CANADA, August 10, 2022 – Microbix Biosystems Inc. (TSX: MBX, OTCQX: MBXBF, Microbix®), a life sciences innovator, manufacturer, and exporter, announces the execution of a purchase and supply agreement (“Agreement”) by which Microbix “QAPs™” quality assessment products will support assays on industry-leading molecular (PCR) and antigen-based point-of-care testing platforms.
QAPs mimic positive or negative patient samples to validate the proper functioning of operators, assays and instruments. QAPs formatted onto Copan® FLOQSwabs® are ideal support for point-of-care test workflows and are room-temperature stable for 24 months for compatibility with test-cartridge storage and handling conditions. Microbix has over 80 types of QAPs, including multiplexes to support clear diagnosis of cutaneous, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and sexually-transmitted infectious diseases. QAPs are used to support staff training and qualification of new instruments as “ONBOARDx™” kits, or incorporated into kits of assay consumables as an integral part of test quality management procedures.
Under the Agreement, Microbix is providing a leading multinational diagnostics developer, manufacturer, and marketer with monoplex and multiplex QAPs – for incorporation into kits of test cartridges for the customer’s molecular instrument platform across multiple disease categories. Additionally, Microbix ONBOARDx kits are being provided to assist new purchasers with staff training and assay qualification for both the antigen-based and molecular-based instrument platforms of the customer. Purchase and supply has already begun under the Agreement, which has an initial term of five years and includes provisions for development of further QAPs to support future assays of this customer.
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The Agreement is expected to materially increase Microbix’s QAPs revenues starting in Q4 fiscal 2022. In connection with this Agreement, the customer will be providing confidential QAPs demand forecasts to Microbix, with a portion of such forecasts being binding and to be updated on a regular basis. If its current expectations are realized, Microbix may generate incremental QAPs sales of approximately C$ 5.0 million related to this Agreement in its initial year of fiscal 2023.
Phil Casselli, Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development of Microbix, stated, “Our firms have been working together for many months and it is a pleasure to fully formalize our close and positive relationship. This Microbix customer is continuing to ensure optimal diagnosis of infectious diseases via leading-edge point-of-care PCR and antigen-based testing, including the quality management system support provided by our FLOQSwab-formatted QAPs.”
Cameron Groome, CEO and President of Microbix also commented, “We’re delighted to support making clinically-important diagnostic testing more widely available. Microbix believes accurate multi-pathogen point-of-care testing will improve patient care and that multiplex QAPs will help enable this evolution.”
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