Rapid HIV and Hepatitis C Test Evaluations Underway in 24 Countries HALIFAX, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MedMira Inc., ("MedMira") (TSX Venture: MIR, NASDAQ: MMIRF) the global market leader in rapid flow through diagnostic technology, announced today that it is registering its rapid HIV and combination HIV/hepatitis C (HCV) tests in an additional 24 markets around the world. These new registrations will significantly boost the company's market presence and add new revenue streams. MedMira is currently registered and actively selling products in over a dozen major markets including the United States, China, South Africa, and Canada. In conjunction with product registrations, MedMira has established a network of qualified distributors or agents in each country. Registrations vary in complexity and length depending on the requirements in each country or region. MedMira has targeted countries where HIV and HCV prevalence is high and there is demand for rapid diagnostics. Once registrations are completed, MedMira and its distributors can participate in national tenders. "For the past 12 months we have been building relationships with highly qualified distributors and assisting them throughout the intricate regulatory and evaluation processes in their territories," said Giles Crouch, vice president sales and marketing with MedMira. "In countries where our MiraWell(R) rapid HIV and combination HIV/HCV tests have been evaluated, we have placed first for technical performance every time. As registrations become finalized, our distributors are fully enabled to go to market with MedMira's high quality rapid tests and participate in large national tender bids within their territories." With CE approval of the MiraCare(TM) rapid HIV whole blood and serum/plasma test expected later this year, MedMira will further increase market coverage to include 25 European Union countries. New registrations are also in progress for whole blood rapid tests in China, and in Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe. While many African and Latin American countries do not have formal regulatory bodies, they require evaluations and small clinical trials within national virology labs and hospitals. Mr. Crouch continues, "In order to achieve sales, two critical elements must occur; establishment of qualified regional distributors and subsequent product registration. Our objective was to increase efforts on building a strong international distribution network and gaining these registrations, an enormous task that takes time, and is now approaching fruition." MedMira has been transitioning from a research and development focused company with proven technology, to a fully commercial venture targeting sales efforts in global markets. MedMira gained key international regulatory approvals starting with Health Canada in 1998, followed by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) in 2003. With the anticipated CE mark coming later this year, MedMira will be the only rapid HIV test manufacturer in the world with these four highly regarded approvals, critical to facilitating faster registrations in developing nations where national HIV programs regularly purchase large quantities of rapid tests. "We committed to a defined strategy for the past year to advance MedMira into a commercial operation with a focus of delivering our innovative solutions, built on leading edge diagnostics research and development, to end-users," said Hermes Chan, president and COO of MedMira. "This plan is working and we look forward to positive gains and taking MedMira to the next level of success in the coming months." 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(TM) G2 and MiraWell(R) rapid HIV tests, respectively. MedMira's Reveal(TM) 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, MedMira's over-the-counter (OTC) product, is available in pharmacies throughout Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, in the People's Republic of China. 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 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. For more information visit MedMira's website at http://www.medmira.com/. DATASOURCE: MedMira Inc. CONTACT: Dr. James Smith, Investor Relations, Tel: (902) 450-1588, E-mail: ; Andrea Young, Corporate Communications, Tel. (902) 450-1588, Email:

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