AEGiS-PRn: MedMira Engages Distributor for Middle East: Rapid HIV Test to be Carried by Established Distributor

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

MedMira Engages Distributor for Middle East: Rapid HIV Test to be Carried by Established Distributor

PRNewswire - December 7, 2004

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.

SOURCE MedMira Inc.

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