Microbix Announces Quality Products Distribution Agreement

Appointment of Alpha-Tec Systems, Inc. for the United States

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, June 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Microbix Biosystems Inc. (TSX: MBX, Microbix), an award-winning life sciences innovator and exporter, announces the appointment of Alpha-Tec Systems, Inc. (Alpha-Tec), a Calibre Scientific Inc. firm, as distributor of its Quality Assessment Products (QAPs) for the United States.

Under an agreement between the parties, Alpha-Tec will provide physical distribution, sales and marketing, and technical support for the entire range of Microbix’s QAPs – including its whole-genome controls for molecular testing for COVID-19 disease (caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus) that are compatible with commercial lab instrument, lab-developed manual, and point-of-care based test systems. Notably, Microbix’s REDxFLOQ SARS-CoV-2 is the only RT-PCR test control available on a COPAN FLOQSwab – enabling ambient-temperature shipping and storage to maximize user convenience, while also supporting workflow from patient-sample receipt through to readout. More broadly, there are four-dozen such QAPs across the PROCEEDx, REDx Controls, and REDxFLOQ tradenames – to support whole-process accuracy of tests for bacterial and viral diseases by emulating patient samples while being consistent, non-infectious, stable, and cross-instrument compatible. 

Alpha-Tec was founded in 1979 and in 2017 joined Calibre Scientific Inc., a family of companies that provide reagents, tools, instruments, and other consumables that address unique needs of the laboratory research, diagnostics, industrial, and biopharmaceutical industries in over 50 countries. Alpha-Tec has developed intimate relationships with the clinical laboratory market across the United States, including with independent chains, hospitals, diagnostics companies, and research institutions. Alpha-Tec has a highly-engaged customer base for its range of products that support bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, and parasitology. Microbix’s QAPs line is a complimentary addition to an Alpha-Tec portfolio that already consists of its QC1 line of validation tools for traditional microbial pathogen testing. The combination is expected to be needed and well-received by its existing customer base.