Microbix Presenting Results of Collaboration with Health PEI

QAPs for HPV Test Verification within Cervical Cancer Screening Program

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Feb. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Microbix Biosystems Inc. (TSX: MBX, OTCQX: MBXBF, Microbix), a life sciences innovator, manufacturer, and exporter, announces that it will be presenting results of its collaboration with the Microbiology Laboratory of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital of Health PEI (“Health PEI”), in support of provincial adoption of molecular diagnostic (“MDx”) screening for Human Papillomavirus (“HPV”) infections – at the annual congress of the European Research Organization on Genital Infections and Neoplasia (“EUROGIN”), taking place in Bilbao, Spain from February 8 to 11, 2023.

Prince Edward Island (“PEI”) is the first Canadian Province to undertake full implementation of MDx HPV testing to improve cervical cancer screening from the pathology-based “Pap Tests.” Directly testing for HPV provides earlier and more reliable detection of infections that are at higher risk of progression to cervical cancer, thereby helping to prevent deaths, illness, and healthcare costs. Microbix’s Quality Assessment Products (“QAPs”) supporting test and test-workflow accuracy enabled it to assist Health PEI in verifying functionality and implementing use of the Becton Dickinson (“BD”) Onclarity HPV assay.

The poster being presented at EUROGIN is titled “Performance of High-Risk HPV Single Analyte and Multiplex Panel External Quality Controls for Verification of Extended Genotyping on the BD Onclarity HPV Assay.” The poster details precisely how QAPs supported verification of these HPV tests and Microbix gratefully acknowledges the work and support of its collaborators in PEI and at BD. The poster will be available on Microbix’s website (https://microbix.com) and from EUROGIN following its presentation.

At EUROGIN, Microbix will also exhibit its portfolio of HPV QAPs, comprised of single-analyte products covering 9 high-risk and 1 low-risk types, and 3 multiplexes for “extended genotyping” of additional high-risk types. Microbix HPV QAPs are available for sale in Canada, Australia, Europe, the United States, and other jurisdictions under its “REDx Controls” (IVD) or “PROCEEDx” (RUO) brand names.

Most sexually-active adults become infected with one or more types of HPV and if not cleared, its high-risk types are firmly established as the cause for development of various cancers, of which cervical cancer is one. Diagnostic tests to detect infection with high-risk HPV provide important preventative health information and require validated, regulated, and third-party test-controls to help ensure their accuracy.