MedMira Grows Rapid HIV Test Sales in Latin America
April 20 2006 - 1:46PM
PR Newswire (US)
Receives Product Registration and Initial Order for Argentina
HALIFAX, April 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MedMira Inc.,
("MedMira") (TSX Venture: MIR, NASDAQ: MMIRF) the global market
leader in premium rapid diagnostic solutions, announced today that
it has received an initial order for MiraWell(R) Rapid HIV Tests
(MiraWell HIV) from its agent, EXPORTRADE CORP (EXPORTRADE) of Boca
Raton, Florida. The tests will be sold to hospitals, physicians and
various government testing programs in Argentina through AC Corp.,
a member of EXPORTRADE's distribution network. Prior to receiving
this order, MedMira and EXPORTRADE worked together to secure
official product registration for MiraWell HIV in Argentina, an
important first step in opening the market for sale of MedMira
products. "We consider product registration and subsequent sales
activity in Argentina to be a critical step in developing the Latin
American market," said Giles Crouch, vice president of global sales
& marketing, MedMira. "Working closely with EXPORTRADE in
Argentina, as well as with our other representatives in Latin
America to achieve country registrations followed by sales, will
allow us to continue growing this market for our rapid HIV tests
and future products, including co-infection tests for HIV and
Hepatitis C." Most rapid HIV testing is conducted in professional
labs in Argentina using serum/plasma. The MiraWell HIV test can be
used with serum/plasma as well as whole blood, which will open
further markets in rural areas where no suitable lab facilities are
readily available. Crouch continued, "Product and technical
training with EXPORTRADE's in-country representatives will begin
shortly and we look forward to launching MiraWell HIV nationally
within the next few months." Rapid HIV tests are a key tool in
preventing and controlling the spread of HIV. Some 1.8 million
Latin Americans are infected with the HIV-AIDS virus, according to
the United Nations, with Brazil, Argentina and Colombia the worst
hit. Providing instant test results will help increase the number
of people who know their HIV status and subsequently seek
appropriate medications and treatment. 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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