HALIFAX, NS / ACCESSWIRE / August 13, 2024 / Today, MedMira Inc. (MedMira) (TSXV:MIR) announces that it will conduct extensive clinical trials for its unique Multiplo.® Complete Syphilis (TP/nTP) antibody test (Multiplo® TP/nTP) with the aim of getting it approved in Canada. The new multiplo® TP/nTP will provide a complete system that combines screening and confirmation in one test. Just announced by Health Minister Mark HollandThe clinical trial is being conducted in collaboration with REACH Nexus at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital and funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR).
This significant success is an important milestone in the fight against the increasing spread of syphilis. MedMira’s unique and patented Multiplo® TP/nTP provides a high quality, rapid point-of-care (POC) test for immediate screening and confirmation, supporting the healthcare system with the fastest and most cost-effective testing solution. Using its unique and patented RVF technology, MedMira offers the only commercially available combined screening and confirmation test that takes less than 3 minutes (from sample collection to easy-to-read results) to detect active syphilis infection with immediate results.
“Thanks to the tremendous support from REACH Nexus at MAP, we were able to demonstrate our superior technology and thus the high quality and flexibility of our products. This led to the recent award and enables MedMira to bring this much-needed product to the Canadian market. Without the scientists and their team at MAP and the funding from CIHR, Canadians would not have been able to benefit from this important test. Therefore, we are grateful for the support and believe in our technology and products,” says Hermes Chan, CEO of MedMira. Our Multiplo® TP/nTP is unique in every way and there is no comparable testing solution that offers our speed, quality and cost-effectiveness. We believe this is a wonderful addition to the Canadian health care sector, enabling health care providers to act quickly on active syphilis infections while reducing the financial burden on the overall system.”
The Multiplo® TP/nTP test integrates the detection of both treponemal (TP) and non-treponemal (nTP) antibodies in a single diagnostic tool. By detecting biomarkers associated with both active and past infections, this test provides a comprehensive solution that combines the screening and confirmation phases used in global testing protocols. Unlike traditional syphilis tests, our innovative, easy-to-use and durable diagnostic tool meets the growing need for flexible, accurate and cost-effective detection of active syphilis infection. The Multiplo® TP/nTP not only detects exposure to TP but also determines an active infection status by simultaneously identifying both non-treponemal and treponemal antibodies.
“We need more approved rapid point-of-care tests in Canada to reach people who are undiagnosed with HIV, syphilis and other blood-borne infections and sexually transmitted diseases (STBBIs),” said Dr. Sean B. Rourke, Director of REACH and MAP Scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital (Unity Health Toronto). “We are very excited about the partnership and scientific implementation work we are doing with MedMira that will have real impact for Canadians and people around the world.”
With funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Dr. Rourke and his team at REACH Nexus are leading efforts to combat these epidemics in collaboration with Canadian In vitro diagnostics Developers, healthcare providers, community stakeholders and people with lived experience, researchers, ministries of health and public health are working together to bring new POC tests to market here in Canada – while also addressing the burden of these epidemics on Canadians.
“The approach we are taking to combat the increasing number of STBBIs is Game changer for Canada,” says Dr. Rourke. “Due to health disparities, stigma and various forms of discrimination, not everyone has access to the tests they need for STBBIs. We need to democratize rapid testing – get more POC and self-tests (for use at home) approved by Health Canada – so that all Canadians have access to the tests they need to make decisions about their health and well-being, when and where it is best for them.”
MedMira, along with its partners at REACH Nexus and MAP, has identified clinical and community sites in Western Canada as ideal locations for this next clinical trial and scientific implementation study on “Test, Treat and Connect,” subject to Health Canada approval.
MedMira’s focus on syphilis stems from the enormous impact of this sexually transmitted disease on global health. In 2018 alone, the European CDC reported approximately 34,000 new confirmed cases of syphilis, representing a 70% increase in the reporting rate in 2017 compared to 2010. They also concluded that for the first time since the early 2000s, EU/EEA countries reported more syphilis cases than HIV cases. With treatments available that can prevent the progression of syphilis, rapid diagnosis and treatment of infected individuals, as well as rapid identification of sexual contacts, is of high priority.
About REACH Nexus at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital (Unity Health Toronto network)
REACH Nexus is an ambitious national research group working to combat HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) in Canada. Its focus is on reaching the undiagnosed, implementing and expanding new testing options, strengthening links to care, improving access to prevention options (PrEP and PEP) and ending stigma. We work in collaboration and partnership with people living with HIV, community-based organizations, frontline service providers, health care providers and decision makers, public health authorities, researchers, business leaders, industry partners and federal, provincial and regional policy makers. Follow us more on LinkedIn And Þjórsárdalur.
About MedMira
MedMira is a leading developer and manufacturer of Rapid Vertical Flow® Diagnostics. The company’s tests provide hospitals, laboratories, clinics and individuals with instant disease diagnosis, such as HIV, syphilis, hepatitis and SARS-CoV-2, in just three simple steps. The company’s tests are sold worldwide under the name REVEAL.®revealedCOVID-19®Multiplo® and Miriad® brands. Based on the patented Rapid Vertical Flow® MedMira’s rapid HIV test is the only one in the world to have received regulatory approval in Canada, the United States, China and the European Union. MedMira’s corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities are located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. For more information, visit www.medmira.com And medmira.caFollow us on Þjórsárdalur And LinkedIn.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties and reflect the Company’s current expectations regarding future events, including statements regarding potential regulatory approvals, product launches, future growth and new business opportunities. Actual events may differ materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of clinical trials, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, the formation of corporate alliances and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s quarterly releases.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
MedMira Contact
Markus Mile
Chief Financial Officer
MedMira Inc.
[email protected]
Unity Health Toronto Contact
SOURCE: MedMira, Inc.
View original Press release on accesswire.com
