Mr. Cameron Groome reports

MICROBIX & BIOGX COLLABORATE ON REAL-TIME PCR ASSAYS & CONTROLS

Microbix Biosystems Inc. has arranged a collaboration with BioGX Inc., a global provider of easy molecular diagnostic solutions. The companies are collaborating to make Microbix's quality assessment products (QAPs) available to BioGX Xfree customers that perform tests on the portable BioGX pixl real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) platform and other systems (such as Applied Biosystems Quantstudio 5 and 7500 Fast Dx, BD MAX, and Bio-Rad CFX96 Touch and CFX384 Touch).

Microbix was chosen by BioGX to be the primary external quality controls provider for assays on its newly launched pixl platform -- a bench-top instrument with capabilities for syndromic testing. To date, BioGX recommends nine Proceedx FLOQ QAPs to be used in conjunction with assays that detect a wide variety of infectious organisms, including, but not limited to, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), influenza A and B (flu), group A streptococcus (strep), herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (herpes), varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox), Treponema pallidum (syphilis), and Mpox virus (monkeypox).

Microbix QAPs are now referenced in BioGX assay product inserts, with additional QAPs to be referenced as the collaboration expands. Microbix's current QAP catalogue is available on its website.

Xfree technology provides a complete lyophilized test in a single tube -- using the trusted BioGX Sample-Ready format for extraction-free, direct-sample addition in real-time PCR testing. This format eliminates pretreatment and nucleic-acid extraction steps, enabling labs with a simple Sample-to-Answer workflow. The tests can be shipped anywhere in the world without refrigeration, as can the QAPs.

Phil Casselli, senior vice-president of sales and business development at Microbix, commented: "It has been a pleasure to work with Robert and his team at BioGX to support their customer base with robust external quality controls. They selected our unique FLOQSwab-based QAPs because they replicate a patient specimen closely, are extremely convenient to ship, store and use, and allow end-users to monitor their entire diagnostic workflow from sample collection to result."

Robert Martinez, vice-president of business development and scientific affairs at BioGX, also commented: "We considered other external quality controls but selected Microbix QAPs as the best solution to support assay optimization and to significantly simplify QC [quality control] procedures with minimal to no pipetting steps. Microbix's technical expertise, product design, performance and superior customer service are impressive. We look forward to continuing our collaboration."

About Microbix Biosystems Inc.

Microbix Biosystems creates proprietary biological products for human health, with over 100 skilled employees and annualized sales targeting $2-million per month. It makes a wide range of critical ingredients and devices for the global diagnostics industry, notably antigens for immunoassays and its laboratory quality assessment products (QAPs) that support clinical lab proficiency testing, enable assay development and validation, or help ensure the quality of clinical diagnostic workflows. Its antigens drive the antibody tests of approximately 100 diagnostics makers while QAPs are sold to clinical lab accreditation organizations, diagnostics companies and clinical labs. Microbix QAPs are now available in over 30 countries, supported by a network of 10 international distributors. Microbix is ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 accredited, U.S. FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) registered, Australian TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) registered, and Health Canada establishment licensed, and it provides CE-marked (Conformite Europeenne) products.

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