HALIFAX, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - MedMira Inc., (“MedMira”) the global market leader in premium rapid diagnostic solutions, announced today that it has signed a distribution agreement with Clindia Benelux (“Clindia”) of The Netherlands for the MiraCare(TM) Rapid HIV Antibody Test (MiraCare(TM) HIV). Clinidia will kick- off MiraCare(TM) HIV sales beginning in late March. Initial sales of MedMira’s instant HIV test, which detects antibodies in whole blood, serum, and plasma will enter the market via hospitals and public health clinics where demand is highest.
“Clindia has an excellent reputation and solid experience in diagnostic sales to the healthcare market. We remain excited about the overall potential in Europe and now the opportunity to develop current and future markets for instant HIV tests in The Netherlands with Clindia,” says Giles Crouch, vice president of global sales & marketing, MedMira.
Although The Netherlands is a small European country, it will be an important entry point for MiraCare(TM) HIV into the European over-the-counter (OTC) market in the future. Healthcare advancements like OTC rapid HIV tests are more readily accepted by the country’s healthcare system and consumer population.
MedMira will be working with Clindia and other distributors in Europe to deliver technical training and support in the coming months in order to maximize market awareness and growth and leverage sales opportunities in the region.
“To finally have a reliable and instant HIV test available in The Netherlands is an asset to our world class healthcare system,” says Peter Langens, CEO of Clindia. “MedMira’s reputation for quality and their strong technical support team will be of great help as we work together to grow the market.” More information on Clindia can be found at www.clindia.nl
With an estimated 2 million Europeans infected with HIV (UNAIDS, December 2004) the epidemic continues to evolve at an increasing pace. According to EuroHIV, the region’s HIV/AIDS surveillance organization, HIV/AIDS remains a major public health issue in Europe, with increasing numbers of people living with HIV. In 2004, 71,755 new diagnoses of HIV were reported in countries in EU countries (World Health Organization).
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 www.medmira.com.
MedMira Inc.
CONTACT: Dr. James Smith, Investor Relations, Tel: (902) 450-1588, E-mail:ir@medmira.com; Andrea Young, Corporate Communications, Tel. (902)450-1588, Email: ayoung@medmira.com
