Receives approval to market and sell Reveal HIV through
Mexican distributor Diagno Medical
HALIFAX,
March 19, 2014 /CNW/ - MedMira
Inc. (TSXV: MIR) has received approval from the Federal
Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS) to
market and sell its Reveal® Rapid HIV Antibody Test (Reveal HIV) in
Mexico. Reveal HIV is the first
rapid HIV test to be approved and sold in Mexico that is available in an all-inclusive
point-of-care format. This comprehensive kit for
point-of-care testing includes everything necessary to conduct the
test anywhere, anytime and delivers more operational and cost
efficiencies to care providers and their patients than any other
test on the market.
In addition to the point-of-care format,
MedMira's distribution partner in Mexico, Diagno Medical, will also sell Reveal
HIV in two laboratory formats to optimize user needs in all testing
environments, from the laboratory to the point-of-care. Built
on MedMira's patented Rapid Vertical Flow Technology™, Reveal HIV
delivers result instantly with a simple three step procedure,
making it the fastest available test on the market. Other rapid
tests on the market take anywhere from 15 to 40 minutes to deliver
a result, while Reveal HIV takes less than two minutes from go to
know. The Reveal HIV test is an easy-to-use, first line of defense
tool to prevent the spread of HIV infection.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) indicates
that the country's infection rate has remained about the same in
the past decade with 220,000 people currently living with HIV in
Mexico. More than 30 percent of
the 110 million people living in Mexico are located in suburban areas where HIV
testing and treatment is not easily accessible forcing people to
travel to urban areas if they wish to be tested.
"The availability of the Reveal HIV provides
patients with more options for screening, particularly those in
suburban areas," said Roger Cornejo,
CEO of Diagno Medical. "The absence of quality point-of-care
HIV testing and care across the country has contributed to the lack
of success in decreasing infection rates. Now we can make screening
safer, faster and more accessible with Reveal HIV, and offer the
right tool to aid in the fight against the spread of HIV infection
across Mexico."
The Reveal HIV test provides patients with more
options for screening including doctor's office and small remote
clinics outside of urban areas. The compact, lightweight package
provides all of the components needed for whole blood testing at
the point-of-care, including lancet, alcohol swab, and a leak-proof
test cartridge. With everything included in a single package, care
providers do not need to order, stock and manage inventory of
various accessories to perform point-of-care whole blood
testing.
The approval of Reveal HIV in Mexico is one of several that MedMira has
recently achieved in Latin
America. The Company is also pursuing product
approvals for the Reveal and Multiplo ranges in Panama, Ecuador, Brazil and Argentina as part of its ongoing expansion in
the region.
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.
