08:40 AM EST, 12/10/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Microbix Biosystems ( MBXBF ) on Tuesday said it has launched a program to help identify patients who carry a gene-variant associated with increased susceptibility to hearing loss following treatment with a common class of antibiotics.

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.

Microbix-produced quality assessment products (QAPs) provide samples that participants can process like cheek or buccal swabs. The program is intended to help ensure the proficiency of Point-of-Care testing, the company said.

"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," said CEO Cameron Groome.