Core Insights - Microbix Biosystems Inc. and Labquality Oy have launched a new external quality assessment (EQA) program aimed at improving the accuracy of clinical laboratories in identifying head and neck cancers associated with HPV [1][4] Group 1: Industry Context - Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are increasingly common, particularly in males, with over 300,000 cases diagnosed annually in North America and Western Europe, representing about 4% of all cancers [2] - Accurate identification of HPV-driven HNCs is crucial as these patients have better prognoses, influencing treatment decisions [2] Group 2: EQA Program Details - The EQA program was developed to address the lack of proficiency checks for clinical labs working with FFPE samples, which are used for diagnosing HNCs [3] - Microbix created QAPs™ that mimic HNC patient samples, containing both IHC and PCR targets, to support the EQA program [5] - A pilot study involving 32 clinical laboratories revealed significant discrepancies in p16 IHC staining protocols, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic accuracy through reflex testing [4] Group 3: Company Profiles - Microbix Biosystems Inc. specializes in creating biological products for human health, with revenues targeting C$ 2.0 million or more per month and a focus on the global diagnostics industry [7] - Labquality Oy provides EQA services to over 8,000 customers in more than 60 countries, emphasizing quality in clinical laboratories and point-of-care testing [9]

Core Insights - Microbix Biosystems Inc. will present its H5N1 pandemic preparedness results at the ADLM conference in Chicago from July 28 to 31, 2025 [1][2] - The company will showcase its quality assessment products (QAPs™) that ensure the accuracy of antigen and molecular tests [2][3] - A pilot External Quality Assessment (EQA) program will be presented, focusing on the detection of the H5N1 strain using existing molecular tests [3][4] Company Overview - Microbix is a life sciences innovator with over 120 employees and aims for revenues of C$ 2.0 million or more per month [6] - The company specializes in proprietary biological products for human health, including antigens for immunoassays and QAPs that support clinical lab proficiency testing [6][7] - Microbix's QAPs are available in over 30 countries and are supported by a network of international distributors [6] Product Development - The H5N1 QAPs were developed to ensure full genetic coverage of potential pandemic strains and are available in liquid and FLOQSwab formats [5] - The collaboration with American Proficiency Institute (API) is crucial for evaluating the performance of flu tests in detecting H5N1 [4][5] - The company emphasizes the rapid deployment of its capabilities in response to emerging pandemics [5]