BROSSARD, QUEBEC, CANADA--(Marketwire - July 17, 2012) - DIAGNOS inc. ("DIAGNOS" or "the Corporation") (TSX VENTURE:ADK), leader in algorithm development, data analysis, and image processing, announces today the successful launch of a pilot program with Novartis Farmaceutica, S.A. de C.V., (Novartis Mexico), for the pilot deployment and evaluation of CARA in Mexico.
As part of its mission to discover, develop and successfully market innovative products to prevent and cure diseases, to ease suffering and to enhance the quality of life, Novartis Mexico supports various health organizations and health initiatives, including population screening in Mexico. DIAGNOS' CARA screening platform is seen as a potentially excellent tool within the context of Novartis' activities. Novartis' lead ophthalmology product is indicated for a variety of ophthalmic complications including those associated with diabetes, and with Diagnos' assistance the parties hope to slow or reverse vision impairment in a larger patient population.
"Recognizing the elevated rate of diabetes and its complications in Latin America, we have been involved in field trials and business development efforts in the region, with our authorized representative Canamexport S.A de C.V. for some time now, and are in a position to materially and constructively help local authorities with retinopathy screening projects. Novartis' leadership and support will make these initiatives feasible and will undoubtedly greatly benefit the local population. We are very excited with this important pilot project and look forward to building a strong relationship." Said Peter Nowacki, Diagnos' Vice-President.
"Under the terms of the present pilot program, DIAGNOS will conduct a pilot deployment in Mexico in July at government-owned clinical locations with the objective to demonstrate the value of retinopathy screening in the broader Mexican population, as well as the simplicity and ease of such screening with our technology." Said Andre Larente, Diagnos President.
About CARA
CARA is a tele-ophthalmology platform that integrates with existing equipment (hardware and software) and processes at the point of care (POC) and comprises: image upload, image enhancement automated pre-screening, grading by a specialist, and referral to a specialist. CARA's image enhancement algorithms make standard retinal images sharper, clearer, and easier to read. CARA is accessible securely over the internet, and is compatible with all recognized image formats and brands of fundus cameras, and is EMR compatible. CARA is a cost-effective tool for screening large numbers of patients, in real-time and has been approved by regulatory authorities including Health Canada, US Food and Drug Administration, and the European Union.
About DIAGNOS
Founded in 1998, DIAGNOS is a publicly traded Canadian corporation with a mission to commercialize technologies combining contextual imaging and traditional data mining thereby improving decision making processes. DIAGNOS offers products, services, and solutions to clients in a variety of fields including healthcare and natural resources. Canamexport is DIAGNOS' authorized representative in Mexico.
For further information, please visit our website at www.diagnos.com or the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
Contact Information:
DIAGNOS inc.
1-877-678-8882 or 450-678-8882, ext.: 224
alarente@diagnos.com
Louis Morin
Bid Capital Markets
514-845-1101
bidcapital@videotron.ca