Company Makes Rapid Testing Solutions Available to Remote
Areas of Colombia and Several
Other New Countries
HALIFAX,
Feb. 5, 2014 /CNW/ - MedMira
Inc. (TSXV: MIR) and its Multiplo™ Rapid TP/HIV rapid
test for syphilis and HIV have enabled the success of a
humanitarian project led by the Colombian National Navy.
Multiplo™ Rapid TP/HIV Antibody Test was used in a project to save
the lives of unborn babies in remote areas of Colombia. This is just one example,
among many of MedMira's expansion into Latin America and the company's growing
customer base in this market. The company has recently earned
several key product approvals, established new distribution
agreements and made shipments of its products built on its patented
and versatile Rapid Vertical Flow Technology™. This technology
makes high quality, cost-effective rapid testing solutions
possible, in even the most remote locations.
As part of its ongoing humanitarian efforts, the
Colombian National Navy has implemented a new program called
Expectant Family, which promotes the testing of sexually
transmitted diseases in pregnant women living in remote areas where
access to healthcare and laboratory testing is limited. The
National Navy is using MedMira's Multiplo TP/HIV test to screen
women at least twice during the pregnancy, before the third month
and prior to giving birth, for syphilis and HIV.
"In the remote areas of Columbia where
healthcare services and laboratory testing is scarce, pregnant
women do not have access to life saving tests that could easily
prevent mother-to-child transmission and neonatal deaths," said Dr.
Liliana Lora Sierra, Public Health
Support Professional, Colombian National Navy. "Working with
MedMira, we are able to offer these women high quality, rapid tests
that will help prevent vertical transmission of TP/HIV that could
not only save their lives but the lives of their unborn children.
The test is very easy to perform and does not require any special
training allowing us to screen patients at the point-of-care.
Without MedMira's innovative technology, these women would not have
access to tests that those living in urban areas benefit from."
In addition to the work in Columbia, MedMira has
signed a distribution deal in Venezuela for the Company's Reveal® Rapid HIV
Antibody Test. The deal is to provide tests to the private
healthcare sector, which serves more than half of all patients and
last week the company made the initial shipment to its partners in
Venezuela. MedMira has also
received approval to market the Reveal HIV test in Costa Rica and has registrations and
evaluations for both Reveal and Multiplo product ranges underway in
other Latin American countries including Panama, Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil and Argentina. The company continues to leverage
its partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
having recently received new orders from the National HIV & TB
program for the Ministry of Health in Belize.
The company has steadily increased its shipments
to Latin America, over the last 12
months, due to the rising demand for cost effective, fast and of
high quality products. In addition, the global need for tests that
can simultaneously detect multiple markers has highlighted one of
the key advantages of MedMira's patented Vertical Flow Technologyä
against its competitors, which is the ability to multiplex assays
on one device. This enables MedMira to reach a much broader market
by attracting partners and customers in the private healthcare,
research, and life sciences sectors.
About MedMira
MedMira is a leading developer and manufacturer
of vertical flow rapid diagnostics. The Company's tests provide
hospitals, labs, clinics and individuals with instant diagnosis for
diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C in just three easy steps. The
Company's tests are sold under the Reveal, Multiplo and Miriad™
brands in global markets. Based on its patented Rapid Vertical Flow
Technology, MedMira's rapid HIV test is the only one in the world
to achieve regulatory approvals in Canada, the United
States, China and the
European Union. MedMira's corporate offices and manufacturing
facilities are located in Halifax, Nova
Scotia, Canada. For more information visit medmira.com.
This news release contains forward-looking
statements, which involve risk and uncertainties and reflect the
Company's current expectation regarding future events including
statements regarding possible approval and launch of new products,
future growth, and new business opportunities. Actual events
could materially differ from those projected herein and depend on a
number of factors including, but not limited to, changing market
conditions, successful and timely completion of clinical studies,
uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process,
establishment of corporate alliances and other risks detailed from
time to time in the company quarterly filings.
Neither 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 or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE MedMira Inc.
