Chinese Blood Centres To Use MedMira's Rapid HIV Tests

Chinese Blood Centres To Use MedMira's Rapid HIV Tests
Increases Presence in China Public Health Initiative 


HALIFAX, Nov. 2  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MedMira Inc. ("MedMira") (TSX
Venture: MIR, NASDAQ:MMIRF) the global market leader in flow-through
diagnostics for infectious diseases, announced today that it has shipped
100,000 MiraWell(TM) Rapid HIV Tests to one of its distributors in the People's
Republic of China. The majority of this shipment is destined for use in blood
collection centres in a province in northeast China, initiating a new
application for MedMira's test that is anticipated to have a strong impact on
the HIV prevention programs and public health initiatives led by the Chinese
national government.

HIV testing in Chinese blood collection centers, similar to those in North
America, is traditionally performed using time-consuming procedures that
require specialized technical training and several days to obtain test results.
Departing from tradition, one key region has made the decision to reform its
HIV testing infrastructure in its blood collection centres by using MedMira's
3-minute MiraWell(TM) Rapid HIV Test in place of conventional HIV testing to
address the immediate public health concerns highlighted by national government
initiatives. More complex, supplemental methods will be used by the centres
only to confirm initially positive test results.

"Effective screening of a country's blood supply is a critical public safety
issue", said Hermes Chan, President and COO of MedMira. "We are extremely
pleased that our high-quality, easy to use, 3-minute rapid HIV test has gained
such widespread recognition by the Chinese government and that it has
encouraged such a progressive step in blood donation practices." Chan
continued, "More and more, our MiraWell(TM) Rapid HIV Test is becoming used in
the Chinese government's public health strategy, and we are beginning to lay a
solid foundation for replacing traditional screening tools. We are optimistic
that other regions will follow suit and implement the same HIV testing protocol
over the coming months."

It has been reported that, since the Chinese Blood Donation Law was adopted in
1998, blood quality has become a top priority in medical management practices.
Four hundred blood centres nationwide collect blood from volunteers and more
than 10,000 hospitals have established blood transfusion centres in an effort
to establish a nationwide network of safe blood collection and supply.

About MedMira

MedMira is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of in vitro rapid
diagnostic tests for the clinical laboratory market. MedMira's tests issue
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,
hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The United States Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) and the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), in the People's
Republic of China, have approved MedMira's Reveal(TM) G2 and MiraWell(TM) Rapid
HIV Tests, respectively. MedMira has the only rapid diagnostic device to
receive these two prominent government approvals. For more details 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 counselling 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 are located in Halifax, Nova Scotia,
Canada.

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which involves risks 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: MedMira Contact: Dr. James Smith: [phone] or e-mail:

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