Microbix Assisting EMQN with Novel Genetic-Test EQA Program

For Rapid Identification of Patients Susceptible to Antibiotic-Induced Hearing Loss

MISSISSAUGA, CANADA & MANCHESTER, UK – December 10, 2024 – Microbix Biosystems Inc. (TSX: MBX, OTCQX: MBXBF, Microbix®), a life sciences innovator, manufacturer, and exporter, and EMQN CIC (EMQN), a global supplier of laboratory external quality assessment (“EQA”) schemes for human genomic testing, announce the go-live of a program to support the accurate identification of patients who carry a gene-variant associated with increased susceptibility to hearing loss following treatment with a widely-used class of antibiotics.

This first-of-its kind EQA program is intended to help ensure the proficiency of Point-of-Care Testing (“POCT”) and acute-care labs that are assessing whether patients carry the MT-RNR1 m.1555A>G gene variant.  It is estimated that one in 500 persons carry this variant that can lead to profound and irreversible hearing loss upon exposure to aminoglycoside antibiotics. This class of antibiotics include Gentamycin, Kanamycin, Streptomycin, and Tobramycin, which are used to treat a wide range of “gram negative” bacterial infections. Of particular concern are newborn babies who are suspected to be at risk of bacterial sepsis – a life-threatening condition that can lead to death from multi-organ failure if not treated promptly with appropriate antibiotic drugs and other acute medical care.

Microbix-produced quality assessment products (“QAPs™”), formatted onto Copan® FLOQSwabs®, are being used in this EMQN EQA program to help assess the proficiency and accuracy of such acute care genetic testing. The QAPs provide samples that participants can process like cheek or buccal swabs, enabling them to verify the accuracy of MT-RNR1 assays in their POCT. With a subscription to this EMQN program, participants will receive three samples every two months (18 per year), helping them to ensure the accuracy of their testing on an ongoing basis and thereby make the most reliable diagnoses possible.

Sean Sales, Operations Director at EMQN, commented, “It has been a pleasure to have Microbix’s assistance in making the QAPs for this groundbreaking and important new EQA program. Acute care physicians need the information to be able to evaluate the risk-benefit of antibiotic treatments and no patient should have to face a lifetime of hearing loss when tests to identify this risk are available.”

Cameron Groome, CEO and President at Microbix also commented, “We’re pleased to help enable the creation of EQA for this clinically-important decision-making. Our expertise was joined to that of EMQN and Copan to ensure that accurate testing and properly-directed treatment is available for patients worldwide. This QAP marks Microbix’s entry into supporting the accuracy of genetic tests, adding to our established presence in infectious diseases and emerging role in oncology.”

UK and international labs can enroll in this EQA program (code POCT MT-RNR1 25) via EMQN CIC at https://www.emqn.org/our-eqa-schemes/ and enquiries about Microbix QAPs can be directed to customer.service@microbix.com.