ZymeTx and Nichirei Corp. Sign International Agreement for
Distribution of ZstatFlu in Japan
OKLAHOMA CITY--(BW HealthWire)--March 13, 2000--ZymeTx, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZMTX - news), a viral disease
management company, has signed an exclusive distribution agreement which authorizes Nichirei Corporation to sell the
Company's rapid point-of-care influenza diagnostic test, ZstatFlu(TM), in Japan. Nichirei Corporation's Diagnostic Division
has successfully commercialized immunodiagnostic reagents and kits for clinical and research use around the world.
``Japan represents the second-largest market in the world for diagnostic products,' stated Norman Proulx, president and
chief executive officer of ZymeTx, Inc. ``Nichirei has a successful history of processing medical diagnostics through the
Japanese regulatory process, and with the new influenza therapeutics becoming available in Japan for the next flu season, we
believe ZstatFlu will play a key role in influenza disease management.'
``Rapid influenza testing is becoming popular in Japan,' according to Kazuo Otsuka, Nichirei Deputy General Manager,
Diagnostics Division. ``Nichirei selected ZymeTx's ZstatFlu product after a thorough evaluation on its performance. ZstatFlu
is the premier influenza diagnostic, and our agreement with ZymeTx provides us with a strong product in the Japanese
market.'
``Our research studies and industry statistics confirm that healthcare costs are reduced, while quality of care is improved,
when ZstatFlu is used in the viral disease management system,' stated Dr. Robert Hudson, Medical Director at ZymeTx, Inc.
``ZstatFlu is the only rapid point-of-care test which can diagnose both Influenza A and B, including mutational strains with
the potential to infect humans, with 99 percent specificity.'
``ZstatFlu is an ideal companion to Relenza and Tamiflu and other available influenza therapeutic drugs,' continued Dr.
Hudson. ``This effective diagnostic test can reduce emergency room costs, increase accuracy in respiratory diagnoses and
improve the quality of patient care -- especially in high-risk cases.'
ZymeTx has entered other international markets, including Spain, Uruguay, and the United Kingdom, and the Company
expects to establish distribution relationships in other countries during the year 2000.
About the Companies
Nichirei Corporation's Diagnostic Division supports a wide-ranging research and development program, including
biotechnology research, for one of Japan's leading food product companies. Nichirei's operations include domestic and
international production, processing, distribution and storage, as well as real estate.
ZymeTx, Inc. is an emerging biotechnology company engaged in the development of unique products for the diagnosis and
treatment of viral diseases, viral management and disease surveillance. The Company has developed and is marketing
ZstatFlu(TM), a rapid point-of-care influenza diagnostic test, along with other enzyme-based healthcare products. Its
National Flu Surveillance Network(TM) (NFSN), a network of surveillance sites located throughout the United States,
allows physicians to track influenza in their communities as part of an effective influenza disease management program. The
NFSN, which can be accessed at www.fluwatch.com, predicts and monitors regional influenza outbreaks through more than
850 sites nationwide, allowing physicians to alert their patients and communities regarding the risks of influenza and the
availability of antiviral medications to ease the impact of the disease. ZstatFlu and the National Flu Surveillance Network
are trademarks of ZymeTx, Inc.
Safe Harbor Statement
Statements in this news release that are not strictly historical, including statements as to plans, objectives and future
financial performance, are ``forward-looking' statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although ZymeTx believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are reasonable; it can give no assurance that the expectations will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from ZymeTx's expectations include, among others, competition within the viral disease
detection and treatment industry; the Company's access to and the market's acceptance of new products; the Company's
ability to market diagnostic products; the Company's ability to establish and/or expand contractual relationships with
managed care organizations; the effects of economic conditions and government regulation on the healthcare market and on
reimbursement policies; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors described from time to time in the Company's
periodic filings on Forms 10-QSB and 10-KSB on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact:
ZymeTx, Inc.
Norman R. Proulx, CEO or G. Carl Gibson, CFO
405/271-1314
or
R.J. Falkner & Company
R. Jerry Falkner, CFA, 800/377-9893
jerry@rjfalkner.com |
