MISSISSAUGA, Ontario and EVELEIGH, Australia, April 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Microbix Biosystems Inc. (TSX: MBX, OTCQB: MBXBF, Microbix®), a life sciences innovator and exporter, and SpeeDx Pty. Ltd. (SpeedDx), a developer of innovative molecular diagnostics solutions, are pleased to announce the formation of a collaboration under which Microbix will be exclusive developer of Quality Assessment Products (QAPs™) to facilitate the registration and commercialization of SpeeDx diagnostic assays.
The collaboration will begin with support of SpeeDx’s diagnostic tests for infection with antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) strains of Mycoplasma genitalium (AMR MGEN), a widespread sexually-transmitted infection and a test market expected to exceed US$ 1.0B globally by 2027. AMR MGEN is known to have multiple mutations that render certain antibiotics ineffective against it. Accurate diagnosis of such drug-resistant infections requires control materials sensitive to these mutations – in order to confirm the test performance. However, producing AMR MGEN controls in commercially-relevant quantities has posed technical hurdles that have been solved using proprietary Microbix technology. This is enabling Microbix to produce the QAPs required by SpeeDx to complete development and registration of its AMR MGEN assays. This same Microbix technology can be used to safely produce a range of QAPs to support tests for other AMR and XDR (extremely drug-resistant) organisms.
Microbix and SpeeDx believe it is pointless or harmful to prescribe anti-microbials to which an infection is resistant. Most current diagnostic tests cannot detect any drug-resistance mutations. The new generation of diagnostics being developed by SpeeDx detect the mutations that drive resistance, enabling more effective treatment. In turn, Microbix has established how to create QAPs for AMR or XDR versions of bacteria and viruses – safely, economically, and in large quantities. Such Microbix biomaterials will be used by SpeeDx to finalize the development, regulatory filings and commercialization of a range of its diagnostic tests, as they continue to provide products and services in partnership with some of the world’s largest diagnostics-makers and clinical labs.
Phil Casselli, SVP of Business Development at Microbix, remarked, “AMR and XDR infections are a dangerous evolution that are leading to challenges in infection control and treatment. We’re therefore very pleased to help SpeeDx to bring their extremely valuable new diagnostic tests to the market”.
Colin Denver, CEO of SpeeDx, commented, “SpeeDx is a world-leader in creating the next-generation assays needed to effectively diagnose and treat drug-resistant bacterial and viral infections. So it makes great sense to work with Microbix and apply its innovative and proprietary controls to ensure the best-possible accuracy of our tests. We believe this alliance will be of great benefit to healthcare globally