ADVANCE AID PARTNER MEDMIRA SCORES 100% IN KAVI SCREENING TEST
MedMira Inc., (“MedMira”), a developer of rapid diagnostic technology and solutions and a partner with Advance Aid in East Africa, announced today (June 1st) that it is making further progress in bringing the world’s fastest rapid HIV test to the Kenyan market. MedMira’s 3-minute Reveal Rapid HIV Antibody Test (Reveal HIV) recently underwent a performance evaluation with the University of Nairobi’s Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI).
In the study evaluating Reveal HIV’s performance and comparing its sensitivity, specificity, and clinical utility side-by-side with the current reference rapid tests approved for Kenya’s national HIV testing algorithm, Reveal HIV achieved 100%. The KAVI report concludes that the main advantage Reveal HIV has is the testing procedure is completed and the results obtained within 3 minutes. Most, if not all rapid HIV tests in the Kenyan market take from 15 to 60 minutes to obtain the results.
“In collaboration with Vitest and Advance Aid, our partners in Kenya, we are making swift progress in introducing our Reveal rapid HIV test in Kenya. Evaluations and approvals are always key components of our market entry plans and this KAVI evaluation is a major step forward in Kenya,” said Hermes Chan, CEO, MedMira Inc.
Chan continued “With a program underway to test eight million people in 2010, we know that our 3-minute rapid HIV test can make a major contribution to Kenya’s testing initiatives. Reducing false results rates and improving the testing capacity of each counselor by 10 to 20 times translates into better use of resources and successful programs. Reveal HIV delivers the quality and speed needed to accomplish this.”
As with many large scale testing campaigns, Kenya’s national door-to-door drive to test 80% of its population in 2010 is not without challenges, including labor shortages and quality products. According to recent reports, hundreds and perhaps thousands of Kenyans and Ugandans received false test results at voluntary counselling and testing centres in Nairobi due to a faulty 15-minute rapid HIV test.
“We are delighted with the excellent results of the KAVI examination and with the endorsement that this gives to the MedMira product,” says David Dickie, CEO of Advance Aid. “Time is money when you are testing eight million people and we are very excited to be working with MedMira and Vitest to market, and ultimately manufacture, Reveal HIV in Kenya.”
KAVI’s evaluation report is now under review with the National AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections Control Programme, the next step in the approval process in Kenya. The report is available on MedMira’s website at www.medmira.com/africa.
About MedMira
MedMira is a leading developer and manufacturer of flow-through rapid diagnostics. The company’s tests provide hospitals, labs, clinics and individuals with reliable, rapid diagnosis for diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C in just three minutes. The company’s tests are sold under the Reveal®, Multiplo™ and Miriad brands in global markets. MedMira’s rapid HIV test is the only one in the world to achieve regulatory approvals in Canada, the United States, China and the European Union. MedMira’s corporate offices and manufacturing facilities are located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. For more information visit MedMira’s website at http://www.medmira.com
