Allows For Faster Diagnosis & Reduces Patient Wait Times TORONTO, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Maple Biosciences, a new division of public Canadian company and the global leader in premium rapid diagnostics, MedMira Inc. (MedMira) (TSX Venture: MIR, NASDAQ: MMIRF), was officially launched earlier today in Toronto. Maple Biosciences will bring to market the next evolution in diagnostic instruments that will displace enzyme linked immunoassays (EIA), a 30 year old technology currently used to conduct routine lab tests in hospitals, laboratories, and clinics around the world. "MedMira is very pleased to embark on this new chapter with the introduction of Maple Biosciences. It will be a new phase of growth for our company which will ensure we remain at the forefront of the diagnostics industry with a product that complements our rapid tests," said Stephen Sham, Chairman and CEO of MedMira. "Global healthcare challenges are increasing rapidly, including overburdened systems, labour shortages and new diseases affecting mass populations. Maple Biosciences will bring to market diagnostic solutions that will enable faster and better diagnostics for improved patient outcomes at lower costs." Maple Biosciences' solutions will be among some of the world's most advanced healthcare tools, directly impacting and improving the delivery of healthcare services and the patient experience. The key benefits that Maple Biosciences diagnostics instruments will bring to healthcare providers is increased lab automation, including fewer hands-on steps, a high through-put format, and digital presentation of results. These are key features that help to deal with labour shortages and stretch decreasing healthcare dollars further in an already overtaxed system. For patients, Maple Biosciences instruments will enable same day test results, faster specimen collection, and will use a smaller amount of specimen to perform the same tests that today require multiple vials of blood. Of importance to both healthcare providers and individuals, Maple Biosciences will provide solutions for the streamlined diagnosis of multiple conditions and diseases from a single specimen. Building on the expertise acquired in bringing MedMira's rapid diagnostic tests to worldwide markets, the same team will commercialize applications built on state-of-the-art biosensor technology platforms developed by Dr. Michael Thompson and his team at the University of Toronto. Maple Biosciences applications will include both laboratory instruments and software components that will bring laboratory diagnostics to a powerful new level of simplicity and intelligence. Further details on Maple Biosciences were presented during a briefing today in Toronto. To access the archived audio webcast, please visit http://www.newswire.ca/. A replay of the news conference will be also be available via telephone until 23:59 EST Thursday, January 26, 2006 and may be accessed by dialing 877-289-8525 for toll-free anywhere in Canada or the USA, or 416-640-1917 in the Toronto area and entering the passcode: 21171435 followed by the number sign. About MedMira MedMira is the leading global manufacturer and marketer of in vitro flow-through rapid diagnostic tests. MedMira's tests provide reliable, rapid diagnosis in just 3 minutes for the detection of human antibodies in human serum, plasma or whole blood for diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C. The United States FDA and the SFDA in the People's Republic of China have approved MedMira's Reveal(R) G2 and MiraWell(R) rapid HIV tests, respectively. MedMira's Reveal(R) G2 and MiraWell(R) rapid HIV tests are currently used in clinical laboratories, hospitals, and clinics where professional counselling and patient treatment are immediately available. The MiraCare(TM) Rapid HIV Antibody Test is available over-the-counter (OTC) in pharmacies throughout Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, in the People's Republic of China. MiraCare(TM) is sold through MedMira's distributor network to pharmacies, hospitals and laboratories in the European Union. MedMira delivers rapid diagnostic solutions to healthcare communities around the globe. Its corporate offices and manufacturing facilities are located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada with a representative office in Guilin, China. This news release contains forward-looking statements, which involve risk and uncertainties and reflect the company's current expectation regarding future events. 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. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this statement. For more information visit MedMira's website at http://www.medmira.com/. DATASOURCE: MedMira Inc. CONTACT: Dr. James Smith, Investor Relations, Tel: (902) 450-1588, E-mail: ; Andrea Young, Corporate Communications, Tel. (902) 450-1588, Email:

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