MedMira Engages Distributor for Middle East
December 07 2004 - 11:27AM
PR Newswire (US)
MedMira Engages Distributor for Middle East Rapid HIV Test to be
Carried by Established Distributor HALIFAX, Dec. 7
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MedMira Inc., ("MedMira") (TSX Venture:
MIR, NASDAQ: MMIRF) the global market leader in rapid flow-through
diagnostic technology, announced today that it has engaged the
Prestige Group of Abu Dhabi, the medical device and pharmaceuticals
division of the US $4.5 billion Al Jaber Group of Establishments,
to distribute its MiraWell(TM) Rapid HIV Test to the hospital and
healthcare market in selected Middle East countries. The Prestige
Group is a well-established distributor in the region with a
skilled sales force, strong market presence and experience at
bringing foreign products through the regulatory process for
medical devices. The MiraWell(TM) Rapid HIV Test, in its serum,
plasma and whole blood version, is currently within the regulatory
approval process for several Middle East countries. As the fastest
rapid HIV test available to the global healthcare market, at only
3-minutes, this versatile test will provide front-line testing
capabilities and facilitate critical patient counseling to help
combat the transmission of HIV throughout the region. Giles Crouch,
vice president marketing and business development of MedMira said,
"Prestige Group, the latest addition to our continually expanding
distribution network, is an excellent example of our commitment to
find and engage qualified, well-established companies with
country-specific experience to market our products." Crouch
continued, "We anticipate steady market growth in the Middle East
as rapid HIV testing is incorporated as a primary application in
local healthcare systems." Initial orders for MedMira's rapid HIV
tests are expected within the next couple of months, upon
completion of the regulatory approval process. The WHO estimates
that approximately 83,000 people were newly infected with HIV in
this region in 2003 and that about 0.3 percent of adults are
currently infected. Recent evidence suggests that the HIV infection
rate is increasing, and that the total number of AIDS deaths has
increased almost six-fold since the early 1990's. 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/. 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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