MedMira Presents World's First OTC Rapid HIV Test to International Conference
March 02 2005 - 7:57AM
PR Newswire (US)
MedMira Presents World's First OTC Rapid HIV Test to International
Conference MiraCare(TM) Rapid HIV Test Shows 100% Agreement in
Independent Evaluation HALIFAX, March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
MedMira Inc., ("MedMira") (TSX Venture: MIR, NASDAQ:MMIRF) the
global market leader in rapid flow-through diagnostic technology,
announced today that it had presented its MiraCare(TM) rapid,
over-the-counter (OTC) test to participants of an international HIV
diagnostics conference hosted by the United States Centers for
Disease Control (CDC). The conference, entitled "HIV Diagnostics:
New Developments and Challenges", was attended by HIV-diagnostic
healthcare personnel from the private and public health sectors
situated around the world. The conference focused on reevaluating
the options for HIV diagnosis and confirmation with the
availability of new HIV testing technologies, such as rapid HIV
tests. During the conference, MedMira presented the results of an
independent clinical evaluation of the MiraCare(TM) Rapid HIV Test
which showed 100% agreement with traditional HIV testing methods.
This performance evaluation was carried out using all types of
blood analytes: serum, plasma, as well as venipuncture and
fingerstick whole blood. "Our MiraCare(TM) Rapid HIV Test is one of
the newest and greatest developments in today's global HIV
diagnostic market. This conference provided an ideal forum to
introduce our new OTC HIV test to the key individuals in the
international healthcare community," said Hermes Chan, President
and Chief Operating Officer of MedMira. Chan continued, "The
MiraCare(TM) test offers a viable alternative to people who would
otherwise not choose to be tested for HIV. Although the stigma
associated with HIV testing has decreased substantially in recent
years, many people still prefer the option of performing an HIV
test in the privacy of their home. This has been proven by the
marketing success of the MiraCare(TM) test in Hong Kong and Macao."
The MiraCare(TM) Rapid HIV Test utilizes MedMira's world's fastest
flow- through technology platform, at only 3-minutes. The speed and
accuracy of the test, as demonstrated by the results of this most
recent independent evaluation, reflect the value of this product to
all levels of consumers (from physicians and clinicians to
pharmacists and the general public) in comparison to traditional
testing methods, which take days or weeks to provide test results.
The MiraCare(TM) Rapid HIV Test is sold as a complete test package
containing all required components and instructions for an
individual to conduct the test quickly using a drop of fingerstick
whole blood, with results in just 3 minutes. The MiraCare(TM) Rapid
HIV Test is also available in a serum/plasma/venipuncture whole
blood format for use by healthcare professionals. About MedMira
MedMira is the leading global manufacturer and marketer of in vitro
flow- though rapid diagnostic tests for the clinical laboratory
market. 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. The United States
FDA and the SFDA in the People's Republic of China have approved
MedMira's Reveal(TM) G2 and MiraWell(TM) Rapid HIV Tests,
respectively. For more information visit MedMira's website at
http://www.medmira.com/. MedMira's Reveal(TM) G2 and MiraWell(TM)
rapid HIV tests are currently used in clinical laboratories and
hospitals where professional counseling and patient treatment are
immediately available. MedMira markets its rapid tests worldwide in
such countries as the United States, Canada, South Africa and
China. Its corporate offices and manufacturing facilities are
located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada with a representative
office in Beijing, 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.
DATASOURCE: MedMira Inc. CONTACT: Media Contact: Investor
Relations, Dr. James Smith: (902) 450-1588 or e-mail:
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