New CMO Preps Aggressive SARS-CoV-2 Global
Testing and Education Agenda as Company Confirms
Variant Detection Capabilities in High-Volume Testing
System
CALGARY, AB, June 10, 2021 /CNW/ - FluroTech LTD.
(TSXV: TEST) (OTCQB: FLURF) and wholly owned subsidiary FluroTest
Diagnostic Systems ("FluroTest" or The Company), a
diagnostics technology leader in high output rapid antigen testing
for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens, are pleased to
announce the appointment of former U.S. Public Health Service and
Four-Star Admiral Joxel Garcia, M.D. to Chief Medical Officer
(CMO). Dr. Garcia will be responsible for expanding FluroTest's
domestic and international reach while driving the advancement of
the Company's diagnostic testing solutions. Previously, Dr. Garcia
had been functioning in an advisory capacity to the Company as
announced April 6, 2021.
FluroTest also now confirms that its testing system will detect
primary variants of concern from live viral samples circulating
today. The variants detected include B.1.1.7 commonly referred to
as the 'U.K.' or 'Alpha' variant, B.1.351 commonly referred to as
the 'South African' or 'Beta' variant and P.1 and P.2 or
'Brazilian' or 'Gamma' variants. Under Dr. Garcia's guidance,
FluroTest is closely following International Health Regulations
(IHR), the only international and legally-binding treaty empowering
the World Health Organization (WHO) to act as the main global
surveillance system to control the spread of COVID-19 and other
pathogens across 196 countries.
"Testing will remain absolutely essential to reopening society
and reinvigorating social and economic activity without fear of
risk," said Dr. Joxel Garcia, FluroTest Chief Medical Officer.
"Globally, the pandemic is actually advancing as more hostile virus
variants are taking root where vaccination efforts are slow or
inconsistent. Having personally helped construct the IHR during my
service with the WHO, we know that strengthening virologic global
surveillance at local and national levels, as well as international
ports of entry like airports and ground crossings, remains a big
part of a comprehensive strategy to control COVID-19. I'm actively
speaking with global health leads across government and industry
about these issues, as the opportunity to utilize FluroTest to
support IHR, open commerce and trade between nations and create
greater health equity are real and are available now."
An internationally respected healthcare leader in public health
administration, equity and education, Dr. Garcia will increase his
support and visibility in FluroTest business operations, reporting
directly to CEO Bill Phelan. As the
14th Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. Garcia operated as the
lead advisor on national global public health and science matters
for the Secretary of Health. He has also served as United States Representative to the World
Health Organization Executive Board, and Deputy Director of the Pan
American Health Organization, Regional Office for the Western
Hemisphere for the World Health Organization during the 2003 SARS
epidemic.
"Joxel's desire to assume the role of Chief Medical Officer is
significant, as we can further leverage his time, expertise and
relationship-building efforts to expand our presence in testing
markets around the world," said Bill
Phelan, CEO of FluroTest. "The fragility of our social and
economic infrastructure continues to fuel our determination to help
reopen society safely through mass testing. FluroTest is more than
a testing solution, as it helps bring health equity to all people,
providing fast, reliable, efficient and cost-effective testing of
COVID-19 and other emerging viruses."
FluroTest's high-volume antigen system is designed to facilitate
very fast and accurate point of access testing of individuals by
leveraging the disciplines of robotics automation, biochemistry,
fluorescence detection and cloud computing. High-risk pandemic
environments supported will include athletic stadiums and
performance venues, airline and cruise ship terminals, corporate
campuses, manufacturing facilities, schools and colleges, hospitals
and large healthcare facilities, transportation and distribution
hubs and other large businesses. FluroTest is presently engaged in
clinical trials and plans submissions for Emergency Use
Authorization ("EUA") from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
("FDA") and from Health Canada for an Interim Order
Authorization.
Readers are cautioned that, although FluroTest has achieved
proof of concept prototype, the testing method and device is still
in the pre-approval stage and accordingly FluroTest is not
currently making any express or implied claims that the technology
can, or will be able to, accurately detect the COVID-19 virus.
About FluroTech (TSXV: TEST) (OTCQB: FLURF)
The goal of FluroTech's research and technology is to develop
detection methods which are high speed, sensitive, specific and
easy-to-use. By combining FluroTech's proprietary
spectroscopy-based technology with laboratory robotics automation
and cloud computing, FluroTech, through the application of its
technology and investment in FluroTest Diagnostics Systems Ltd.
("FluroTest"), the interests in which have been disclosed in
previous press releases, has created a unique solution addressing
the current and future pandemics. Using technology that was first
developed at the University of Calgary,
the FluroTest SARS-CoV-2 test is designed to identify patients with
active virus infection; this is not necessarily the case for most
of the currently approved tests that are meant to identify patients
with SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid.
About FluroTest Diagnostic Systems Ltd.
FluroTest, a diagnostics technology leader in surge-scale rapid
antigen testing for the detection of SARS-CoV2 and other pathogens,
is developing a pandemic defense and economic recovery system
purpose-built for businesses and special-needs populations
requiring fast and highly accurate testing for significant numbers
of people. Unlike individual or low-throughput tests, FluroTest's
system is designed to be well-suited for high-traffic, high-risk
pandemic environments including schools and colleges, hospitals and
large healthcare facilities, athletic stadiums and performance
venues, airline and cruise ship terminals, corporate campuses,
shopping centers, manufacturing facilities, transportation and
distribution hubs and other large business and retail locations.
Created to support executive business continuity efforts and public
well-being, the system combines and leverages the disciplines of
robotics automation, biochemistry, fluorescence detection and cloud
computing -- processing thousands of tests per hour while
delivering accurate, digitally verifiable results to a test taker's
mobile device within 5 minutes. To learn more, visit
FluroTest.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Information
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within
the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking
information generally refers to information about an issuer's
business, capital, technology or operations that is prospective in
nature, and includes future-oriented financial information about
the issuer's perspective financial performance or financial
position. The forward-looking information in this news release
includes disclosure about the ability of the Company's testing
devices to accurately and quickly detect COVID-19 and to process
large numbers of samples in short time frames, the benefits of and
demand for the Company's testing devices, its efforts to obtain
approval of the FDA and Health Canada, its potential partnership
with a major U.S. based healthcare system and finalizing plans to
conduct clinical trials and its intent to amalgamate with FluroTest
Diagnostics Systems Ltd which owns a 100% interest in FluroTest
LLC. The Company made certain material assumptions, including but
not limited to prevailing market conditions and general business,
economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, the
ability to obtain FDA and Health Canada approvals, the demand for
its COVID-19 testing devices and their ability to perform as
expected, its potential partnership with a major U.S. based
healthcare system and finalizing plans to conduct clinical trials
and its intent to amalgamate with FluroTest Diagnostics Systems Ltd
which owns a 100% interest in FluroTest LLC and to obtain the
regulatory approvals required in connection with the same, to
develop the forward-looking information in this news release. There
can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate,
as actual results and future events could differ materially from
those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should
not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Actual results may vary from the forward-looking information in
this news release due to certain material risk factors described in
the Corporation's Annual Information Form under the heading "Risk
Factors", the failure to develop and commercialize its testing
devices in a timely manner or at all, the failure to recognize the
anticipated benefits from the devices, the failure to obtain FDA or
Health Canada approval for its products, the risk that regulatory
approvals will not be received and the risk that changing
circumstances will result in the decrease in demand for FluroTest's
products. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material
risk factors and assumptions is not exhaustive.
The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise the
forward-looking information in this news release, unless it is
required to do so under Canadian securities legislation.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this
release.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities. The
securities described herein have not been and will not be
registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or the securities laws of any state and may not be offered
or sold within the United States
or to or for the benefit or account of U.S. persons, absent such
registration or an applicable exemption from such registration
requirements.
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SOURCE FluroTech Ltd.