Category: news

For two decades, the Reno, Nevada-based solution provider has remained committed to its founding principle of making supply chains safer, more efficient and transparent, and compliant.

 Reno, Nevada, December 5, 2023 — Antares Vision Group, an Italian multinational and a leading provider of track and trace and quality control systems, is marking the 20th anniversary of its subsidiary rfxcel. Founded in 2003 by CEO Glenn Abood and Co-Founder Emeritus Jack Tarkoff, it joined AV Group in 2021.

Emidio Zorzella, chairman and CEO of Antares Vision Group, said the milestone reflected the stature rfxcel had attained in diverse industries.

“Their longevity is a testament to their success,” he said. “rfxcel has developed leading-edge digital technologies since the day it opened its doors for business. It made a name for itself in the pharmaceutical industry by creating innovative, customer-focused solutions for global compliance, serialization, traceability, and real-time environmental monitoring. But soon, companies in other sectors became aware of its award-winning Traceability System, and rfxcel found success with new clients in food, beverage, cosmetics, and government.”

“Jack and I started the company when we realized that patient safety was at risk if people couldn’t verify the validity of a drug,” recalled Abood. “From that foundational idea — protecting people and products — we built a powerful, easy-to-use traceability framework suitable for any industry. We also built a great team of technical experts who shared our vision of providing a full-stack solution that could readily adapt to changes in business and regulatory landscapes and create value and opportunities at every node of the supply chain. And we offered it at a fair price and always put our customers first.”

Zorzella said bringing rfxcel into Antares Vision Group yielded immediate strategic benefits. “rfxcel’s technology, team, global network, experience, and knowledge are crucial to what the Group does now and what we have planned for the future,” he said, “including our DIAMIND integrated ecosystem of solutions. They are a key asset, and I think businesses and consumers alike are going to be impressed by what we accomplish.”

“It’s been an exciting time for us,” Abood concluded. “Joining Antares Vision Group was the perfect way to begin our next chapter. We launched a new product, DIAMIND Enterprise, to provide an integrated L1-L5 solution to our customers; it’s an interoperable solution that sets us apart from our competitors. I’m looking forward to continuing to improve our technology and helping our customers grow their business with the most complete end-to-end traceability solution available today.”

Highlights of rfxcel’s first 20 years include leadership to guide the pharmaceutical industry toward compliance with all aspects of the U.S. Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), such as leading an FDA-approved pilot to extend testing of the Verification Router System (VRS), being the first compliance solution offered on the General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract, and being the first provider to join the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) Pulse Interoperable Partner program. Most recently, the company is working with the industry to launch pilots for DSCSA exception handling, testing recommended standards to correct errors with mandated EPCIS data.

Notably, leading food and intelligent packaging companies have recently utilized rfxcel’s traceability, transparency, serialization, and data management technologies. For a prominent berry producer, rfxcel digitalized over 1.5 billion products, empowering the brand to protect, support, and communicate with its customers. In Australia, the company partnered with Melbourne-based Result Group to manage millions of UNO™ game pieces with unique digital identities and enhance consumer engagement for fast food leader Hungry Jack’s.

 For more information, contact Senior Content and Communications Manager Garrison Spik at garrison@rfxcel.com.

ABOUT ANTARES VISION GROUP

Antares Vision Group is driving digitalization of products and supply chains by leading traceability, inspection, and integrated data management. AV Group helps companies and institutions to achieve safety, quality, efficiency, and sustainability, enabling Trustparency®.

DIAMIND, AV Group’s integrated ecosystem of solutions, simplifies the technology environment and supports businesses growth by enabling a data-driven and tailored journey to digital innovation. Connecting physical products with digital identities, DIAMIND runs at the line, factory, warehouse, enterprise, and supply chain levels, and guarantees product quality (inspection systems and equipment) and end-to-end traceability (from raw materials to production, from distribution to the consumer and back) through integrated data management, applying artificial intelligence and potentially blockchain.

With a strong focus on innovation, the company collaborates with universities and innovation centers; it is part of the Italian National Research Centre for the development of RNA drugs and has developed a traceability platform for agri-food products in collaboration with MISE (Italian Ministry of Economic Development) to ensure the authenticity and sustainability of Made in Italy products.

AV Group operates in the Life Science (pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and hospitals), Beverage, Food, Cosmetics, Chemicals, and Packaging industries and potentially many others.

AV Group has been listed in STAR segment of Euronext since 14 May 2021 and has been included in the Euronext Tech Leaders index, dedicated to leading tech companies with high growth potential, since July 2022.

In 2022, Antares Vision Group recorded a turnover of €223 million. The Group operates in 60 countries, employs more than 1,300 people, and has a consolidated network of over 40 international partners.

ABOUT RFXCEL TECHNOLOGY

Part of Antares Vision Group, rfxcel provides leading-edge software solutions to help governments and commercial organizations build and manage their digital supply chain, lower costs, and protect their products and consumers. Blue-chip organizations in the life sciences (pharmaceuticals and medical devices), food and beverage, worldwide government, and consumer goods industries trust rfxcel’s Traceability System to power end-to-end supply chain solutions in track and trace, environmental monitoring, regulatory compliance, serialization, and visibility. Founded in 2003, the company is headquartered in the United States and has offices in the United Kingdom, the EU, Latin America, Russia, India, Japan, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Reno, Nevada, September 27, 2023. rfxcel, part of Antares Vison Group and a global leader in innovative supply chain traceability solutions, is pleased to announce that Kevin Huey has joined our team as Senior Director of Professional Services. With a background in supply chain management, project leadership, and a strong focus on nurturing talent within organizations, he brings wealth of customer-centric and operational experience to the team.

Kevin’s leadership style emphasizes people and processes. With a history of fostering the growth and professional advancement of technical teams, he is committed to motivating exceptional performance and creating an environment where people can thrive.

Kevin has held key roles at companies such as Ethicon Endo-Surgery, where he spearheaded critical initiatives in manufacturing engineering, operations program management, and supply chain readiness. At Biosense Webster, he established a Product Focus Team (PFT) structure to enhance lifecycle activities and collaborated extensively with different departments to identify and mitigate product and service risks. He also played a crucial role in shaping the supply chain during a company integration, ensuring seamless operations.

Most recently for Auris, he led a team of 16 engineers focused on process development and played a pivotal role in the manufacturing of first-in-human products. He also expanded their team through strategic recruitment efforts, ensuring a robust talent pool for ongoing projects.

“We are excited to welcome Kevin to the rfxcel family,” said rfxcel Chief Operations Officer Vikash Pushpraj. “His extensive experience and commitment to our core values of innovation, collaboration, and employee development align perfectly with our vision for the future.”

Kevin has a Master of Business Administration from Xavier University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. This combination of technical expertise and business acumen helps him drive excellence in every facet of his work. He joins rfxcel poised to lead us into a new era of excellence in professional services, where innovation, people, and processes will drive our success.

New York, 25 September 2023. Emidio Zorzella, Chairman and CEO of Antares Vision Group, will be presenting the work of Antares Vision Group, and investments the Company has made in fighting counterfeit and dangerous drugs in Africa. Emidio is attending the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly and speaking on health and technology at the Sub-Saharan Africa Business Investment Summit.

“Every year, counterfeit and dangerous drugs lead to hundreds of thousands of deaths in Africa,” Zorzella said. “Earlier this year, 60 children in The Gambia alone were poisoned by contaminated cough syrup. These needless losses are hurting families across the African continent, but this crisis is preventable and has reached a point where it can no longer be ignored.

“Antares Vision Group, with its rfxcel pharmaceutical track and trace technology, is proud to be working with the President of Guinea-Bissau, The Honorable Umaro Sissoco Embaló, as he takes the lead in Africa to stop counterfeit drugs with our traceability systems. We are proud to invest in Africa to deliver solutions to save the lives of so many people and we look forward to doing so across the continent.”

His Excellency Ambassador Serge Mombouli of the Republic of Congo, who also serves as the Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Washington, DC, offered his support for the goal of eliminating counterfeit drugs in Africa. “This is a priority for President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo,” he said, “and it is my pleasure to invite you to my country to meet him and his health officials to discuss adoption of the rfxcel system to provide drug safety and security for our people.”

Governments around the world are beginning to take control of their supply chains, as they realize how dependent we all are. Criminals, opportunists, and even terrorist groups have begun capitalizing on the weaknesses of the global supply chain, and Antares Vision Group, through its Government Services team, is helping elected officials and Government organizations to strengthen protections for the health and safety of the public. Governments and Antares Vision Group have found success by partnering with various stakeholders in the supply chain to increase patient safety, eliminate the funding sources of criminal organizations, and provide a return on investment to all stakeholders.

About Antares Vision Group

Antares Vision Group is driving digitalization of products and supply chains by leading traceability, inspection, and integrated data management. AV Group helps companies and institutions to achieve safety, quality, efficiency, and sustainability, enabling Trustparency®.

DIAMIND, AV Group’s integrated ecosystem of solutions, simplifies the technology environment and supports businesses growth by enabling a data-driven and tailored journey to digital innovation. Connecting physical products with digital identities, DIAMIND runs at the line, factory, warehouse, enterprise, and supply chain levels, and guarantees product quality (inspection systems and equipment) and end-to-end traceability (from raw materials to production, from distribution to the consumer and back) through integrated data management, applying artificial intelligence and potentially blockchain.

With a strong focus on innovation, the company collaborates with universities and innovation centers; it is part of the Italian National Research Centre for the development of RNA drugs and has developed a traceability platform for agri-food products in collaboration with MISE (Italian Ministry of Economic Development) to ensure the authenticity and sustainability of Made in Italy products.

AV Group operates in the Life Science (pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and hospitals), Beverage, Food, Cosmetics, Chemicals, and Packaging industries and potentially many others.

AV Group has been listed in STAR segment of Euronext since 14 May 2021 and has been included in the Euronext Tech Leaders index, dedicated to leading tech companies with high growth potential, since July 2022.

In 2022, Antares Vision Group recorded a turnover of €223 million. The Group operates in 60 countries, employs more than 1,300 people, and has a consolidated network of over 40 international partners.

Antares Vision S.p.A.

Via del Ferro, 16 – 25039 Travagliato (BS) – Italy

T: +39 030 7283500

info@antaresvision.com – www.antaresvisiongroup.com

AV Group, which led an FDA-approved pilot to extend testing of the VRS, continues its industry leadership by helping to test industry readiness ahead of this year’s DSCSA deadline.

Travagliato (Brescia), August 22, 2023. Antares Vision Group, an Italian multinational and a leading provider of track and trace and quality control systems, today announced that it has joined the Gateway Certified™ program for Verification Router Service (VRS) verification to help pharmaceutical stakeholders prepare for upcoming serialization and drug product verification requirements in the U.S. Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA).

The industry established the VRS specifications to help verify the authenticity of products for salable returns. Many providers have developed solutions based on the VRS specification and have voluntarily collaborated in testing to ensure compliance and interoperability.

The Gateway Certified™ program for VRS Verify was established in response to industry concerns that manual methods and self-testing among more than a dozen solution providers was time-consuming, was not scalable, and lacked independent oversight.

Recognizing the importance of connectivity and interoperability, Antares Vision Group, through rfxcel technology, is committed to independent and objective VRS verification testing. “We recognize that solution providers need a more scalable, repeatable, and open testing approach,” said rfxcel CEO Glenn Abood. “We see the limitations of the current approach and see the potential impact on robust, reliable systems as well as adaptation to emerging requirements.”

“We appreciate Antares Vision Group’s leadership and ongoing commitment to facilitate information interoperability and product verification in the pharmaceutical supply chain,” said Gary Lerner, President of Gateway Checker Corporation. “We encourage all solution providers interested in establishing demonstrable VRS conformance to join the Gateway Certified™ program.”

The Gateway Certified™ program provides independent, objective, automated use-case testing to assure that pharmaceutical drug product verification requests and responses consistently meet industry and FDA regulatory requirements. It examines a system’s conformance to requirements and provides objective evidence that it consistently meets industry and regulatory needs.

Herb Wong, rfxcel senior vice president of product and strategy, will be facilitating a Roundtable Discussion about the VRS at the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) 2023 Traceability Seminar in Washington, D.C. To learn more, click the image below and visit Antares Vision Group at Table-Top 21 at the seminar.

About Antares Vision Group

Antares Vision Group is driving digitalization of products and supply chains by leading traceability, inspection, and integrated data management. AV Group helps companies and institutions to achieve safety, quality, efficiency, and sustainability, enabling Trustparency®.

DIAMIND, AV Group’s integrated ecosystem of solutions, simplifies the technology environment and supports businesses’ growth by enabling a data-driven and tailored journey to digital innovation. Connecting physical products with digital identities, DIAMIND runs at the line, factory, warehouse, enterprise, and supply chain levels, and helps guarantee product quality (inspection systems and equipment) and end-to-end traceability (from raw materials to production, from distribution to the consumer and back) through integrated data management.

AV Group operates in the life science (pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and hospitals), beverage, food, cosmetics, chemicals, and packaging industries and potentially many others.

AV Group has been listed in STAR segment of Euronext since May 2021 and has been included in the Euronext Tech Leaders index, dedicated to leading tech companies with high growth potential, since July 2022.

In 2022, Antares Vision Group recorded a turnover of €223 million. The Group operates in 60 countries, employs more than 1,300 people, and has a consolidated network of over 40 international partners. To learn more, please visit antaresvisiongroup.com and rfxcel.com.

For further information, contact Herb Wong, senior vice president of product and strategy, at hwong@rfxcel.com.

About Gateway Checker Corporation

Gateway Checker™ provides a software as a service platform to facilitate product traceability, DSCSA compliance, and unambiguously verify the interoperability readiness of serialized pharmaceutical transaction records. Drug manufacturers, repackagers, wholesalers, and distributors can quickly and continuously test, validate, and certify adherence to GS1 US Rx EPCIS and VRS product verification application standards.

Gateway Checker is the GS1 US Rx Certified Conformance Testing Service, and is owned and operated by the Gateway Checker Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of BrandSure, LLC.

For more information about the Gateway Certified™ program, including VRS System Validation, contact Eran Strod at certified@gatewaychecker.com.

Obtained through rfxcel, the information security management systems certification demonstrates the Group’s ability to protect and manage customers’ data on a global scale, complementing rfxcel’s ISO 9001 certification.

Travagliato (Brescia), July 11, 2023. Antares Vision Group (EXM, AV:IM), a leading provider of track and trace and quality control systems, through rfxcel’s San Ramon location, has attained ISO/IEC 27001 certification for information security management systems (ISMS), an important and significant achievement in the supply chain software solutions industry.

The certification demonstrates rfxcel’s incorporation of best-in-class technologies and best practices to preserve the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of customer data while proactively managing risks. As customers globally share serialization and other supply chain data, their needs for security, system controls, and governance grows. rfxcel’s  continuous advancements within its controls and technology help customers comply with international security standards and regulations.

rfxcel Vice President of Global Quality Management Amit Sewak said the certification is a clear statement. “It means we are committed to protecting our clients from global security threats. We have an incredible organization that is focused on developing and delivering secure solutions that focus on our customers’ needs and the complex regulatory landscape they function within.”

Sewak added that the ISO/IEC 27001 certification confirms that the structure of rfxcel’s Quality Management System and ISMS exemplifies compliance internationally. “Regardless of the regulatory standards that clients function within, rfxcel is prepared today and for the future,” he said.

Glenn Abood, CEO of rfxcel, said the certification should give customers peace of mind about working with Antares Vision Group. “We have strategies to manage the performance, quality, and effectiveness of our products and services,” he explained. “Our customers have the assurance that their data is strictly controlled, stored, and protected.”

In addition to the ISO/IEC 27001 certification, rfxcel’s existing ISO 9001 certification conveys its commitment to customers and continual improvement. “Our customers know our management systems and architecture are efficient. They know we perform at a high level and use leading technologies to support them,” Sewak said.

For more information, contact rfxcel Senior Communications and Content Manager Garrison Spik at garrison@rfxcel.com.

About Antares Vision Group

Antares Vision Group is driving digitalization of products and supply chains by leading traceability, inspection, and integrated data management. AV Group helps companies and institutions to achieve safety, quality, efficiency, and sustainability, enabling Trustparency™. DIAMIND, AV Group’s integrated ecosystem of solutions, simplifies the technology environment and supports businesses growth by enabling a data-driven and tailored journey to digital innovation. Connecting physical products with digital identities, DIAMIND runs at the line, factory, warehouse, enterprise, and supply chain levels, and guarantees product quality (inspection systems and equipment) and end-to-end traceability (from raw materials to production, from distribution to the consumer and back) through integrated data management, applying artificial intelligence and potentially blockchain. AV Group operates in the Life Science (pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and hospitals), Beverage, Food, Cosmetics, Chemicals, and Packaging industries and potentially many others. AV Group has been listed in STAR segment of Euronext since 14 May 2021 and has been included in the Euronext Tech Leaders index, dedicated to leading tech companies with high growth potential, since July 2022. In 2022, Antares Vision Group recorded a turnover of €223 million. The Group operates in 60 countries, employs more than 1,100 people, and has a consolidated network of over 40 international partners. For further information, visit www.antaresvisiongroup.com.

The distinction is a result of a partnership between AV Group subsidiary rfxcel and service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) Lovell Government Services that aims to protect patients served by government entities.

Travagliato (Brescia), June 28, 2023. Antares Vision Group, through rfxcel, a leading provider of supply chain traceability and compliance solutions, has been awarded a spot on the General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract. With partner Lovell Government Services, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB), this significant achievement demonstrates the companies’ commitment to federal and state government entities that operate pharmacies and the patients they serve.

Through its partnership with Lovell, rfxcel is the first Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) compliance software provider to be awarded a spot on the GSA MAS contract, a procurement vehicle for government agencies to purchase goods and services from pre-approved vendors. The contract includes pre-negotiated terms and conditions that simplify the procurement process.

The DSCSA is designed to improve the safety and security of the drug supply chain in the United States by rapidly detecting and removing harmful drugs. It requires manufacturers, distributors, dispensers (i.e., pharmacies and health systems), and other entities to track, trace, and verify certain medicines as they are received and dispensed.

rfxcel’s DSCSA solution for government dispensers is already in use by the Ohio Department of Veterans Affairs. Lovell is a contracted vendor for many government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Defense.

“Listing on the GSA MAS contract through Lovell is a win-win for everyone,” said rfxcel Vice President of Government Services Greg Moulthrop. “First, it protects patients who use government pharmacies. But it also enables government agencies to easily and efficiently purchase our DSCSA compliance software solutions and gives government customers the dual benefit of complying with the DSCSA while working toward their SDVOSB procurement goals.”

“We are excited to be partnering with Antares Vision Group, through rfxcel, on this important initiative,” said Chris Lovell, CEO of Lovell Government Services. “rfxcel has made it their mission to help federal pharmacies meet DSCSA compliance requirements by November 2023 and Lovell is honored to play a part in it. DSCSA isn’t just about protecting the supply chain, it is also about protecting patients.”

For more information, contact rfxcel Senior Government Affairs Advisor Kevin Smith at ksmith@rfxcel.com or 563-590-9408.

About Antares Vision Group & rfxcel

Antares Vision Group, through rfxcel, is a leading provider of supply chain traceability and compliance solutions. The company’s mission is to deliver value to its customers through a comprehensive suite of software solutions that ensure supply chain integrity, visibility, and regulatory compliance. rfxcel’s solutions have been used by leading companies in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and consumer goods. Learn more here.

About Lovell Government Services

Lovell Government Services is a trusted government vendor since 2013 with a proven track record of success. Lovell is a two-time Inc. 5000 honoree and leader in the federal space. They partner with medical and pharmaceutical companies looking to better serve veteran and military patient populations, increase their federal revenue stream, and win government contracts. Click here to learn more.