For Immediate Release
MedMira Launches Rapid HIV Test into Retail OTC Market
Ships New MiraCare™ OTC Product to Retail Pharmacies
Hong Kong, January 24th, 2005 — MedMira Inc., (“MedMira”) (TSX Venture: MIR,
NASDAQ:MMIRF) the global market leader in rapid flow-through diagnostic
technology, today announced the launch of its MiraCare™ HIV Rapid Antibody Test,
its first Over-The-Counter (OTC) test, into the global marketplace, starting with Hong
Kong and Macao, People’s Republic of China. MiraCare™ will be distributed to
pharmacies in these regions by Goodman Medical Supplies Ltd., a well-established
medical supply distributor. MiraCare™ became available in pharmacies today.
This new finger-stick whole blood rapid HIV test is built on MedMira’s proven, unique
platform used in its market-leading MiraWell™ and Reveal™ product lines. Each
MiraCare™ test is sold as a complete test package with all components required for an
individual to conduct the test quickly; with results showing in just three minutes.
“Launching this new product line into the OTC market is a pivotal moment in
MedMira’s history,” said Stephen Sham, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
MedMira Inc. ”The introduction of our new MiraCare™ line of rapid tests into point-oftesting
settings will serve as a model for future expansion of this product into OTC
markets in China, the rest of Asia, and ultimately around the world as these markets
become more prepared for an OTC rapid HIV test.“
Sham continued, “With almost 40 years of experience, Goodman Medical Supplies Ltd.
is the ideal partner to join MedMira in opening this Hong Kong and Macao market
through its experienced sales force and extensive knowledge and networks in these
regions.”
Collen Chan, Managing Director of Goodman Medical Supplies Ltd. said, “Over the past
year, we have dedicated substantial resources to identifying the best-suited rapid HIV
test for our retail pharmacy sector. Of the rapid HIV tests available in China, MedMira
was the only manufacturer that could deliver a quality product with a simple test
procedure and a truly rapid and accurate test result in less than three minutes.”
Chan continued, “In addition, the fact that the recent China Centres for Disease Control
(CDC) evaluation proved MedMira’s test to be number one, and that MedMira is the
only rapid HIV test manufacturer to hold regulatory approvals in China, the United
States and Canada shows us that we have identified the best company and product for
our OTC market.”
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About Goodman Medical
Goodman Medical Supplies Ltd. (“Goodman Medical”) was established in 1966 and is
one of the pioneers of medical suppliers in the healthcare market of Hong Kong. It offers
a variety of medical products for hospital, community and personal care. Goodman
Medical prides itself with a goal of sharpening competitiveness to meet the rapidly
changing challenges of the healthcare market, and to serve customers with the highest
value of service. It sets its quality standards high, and as a result, distributes only the
highest caliber of medical products. Over the years, Goodman Medical has established
itself to be the partner of choice for healthcare services.