MedMira Increases Global Sales Force to Capitalize on Product Approvals
MedMira Inc. announced that it has expanded its global sales team in order to capitalize on market penetration opportunities from recently completed key regulatory approvals.
The expansion includes two new regional account managers dedicated to the Europe/Middle East and Latin America markets. Jaime Carreno and Pierre Sevigny together bring over 25 years of experience selling medical and technical products in these markets to the MedMira team.
After receiving CE Mark in early 2006 for its MiraCare(TM) Rapid HIV Antibody Test (MiraCare HIV), MedMira strategically selected countries in which to register with the Competent Authority, governing bodies within each member country regulating the sale of medical devices. MedMira's Regulatory Team has completed 13 registrations, the final step in the regulatory process, and will continue to pursue registrations in strategic country markets where sales opportunities exist.
In Asia, MedMira has engaged MediServe Inc., a consulting group to head-up the company's sales and marketing activities in that region. MediServe is a partnership of project managers, medical doctors and healthcare practitioners, each with over 10 years of marketing and healthcare experience in Asia. The partners have a strong track record of serving international players such as Merck and their strengths include sales and distribution channel management and outsourcing business projects. MediServe was on-site at MedMira corporate headquarters in Halifax early this month to receive in-depth product training and finalize plans to launch MedMira's recently approved whole blood rapid HIV test in China. In April 2006, MedMira received a fast- tracked approval for the first and only whole blood rapid HIV test available in China. This approval enables MediServe to quickly capitalize on a key competitive advantage for MedMira in the China market.
"With this latest whole blood approval and our new on-the-ground sales and marketing team in place, the timing is right to create a unique niche market for MedMira in China," said Chan. "We will also turn our attention to increasing MedMira's presence in developing nations, becoming part of their large scale testing programs."
Richard Van Maanen, a biotechnology consultant and a former sales and marketing executive with another leading diagnostics manufacturer has been engaged by MedMira. Mr. Van Maanen will focus on increasing MedMira's profile with the international agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs) that provide testing solutions and programs to Africa and other developing nations. He will also identify qualified distributors and initiate local product registrations for MedMira in the Sub-Saharan region.
On the regulatory front, MedMira continues preparations to enter the US market with an over-the-counter (OTC) rapid HIV test. MedMira has submitted a proposed solution to the FDA and is ready to begin the market entry and regulatory process once the proposal is reviewed. MedMira's proposed US OTC solution is built on the company's solid experience in the Hong Kong OTC market, where it successfully launched its MiraCare HIV test in 2005.
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