AXIM Biotechnologies, Inc. (OTC: AXIM), a diagnostics company specializing in rapid, point-of-care ophthalmic testing, has announced an exclusive license and distribution agreement with JK Medical, Inc. covering seven Latin American countries: Brazil, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, and Colombia. Under the agreement, JK Medical will market and distribute AXIM's TearScan® Lactoferrin Diagnostic Test for aiding in the diagnosis of aqueous-deficient Dry Eye Disease (DED) and the TearScan® IgE Diagnostic Test for aiding in the diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis within the covered territory.
The collaboration pairs AXIM's pioneering lateral-flow diagnostics with JK Medical's regional market access and commercialization capabilities to accelerate adoption of point-of-care ocular testing across Latin America. “This partnership represents a major step in expanding access to rapid, clinic-friendly ocular diagnostics throughout Latin America,” said Catalina Valencia, CEO of AXIM Biotechnologies. “By combining AXIM's TearScan® portfolio with JK Medical's established footprint, we can support eye-care professionals with objective biomarkers that complement clinical evaluation for DED and ocular allergy.”
Juan Carlos Torres, CEO of JK Medical, Inc., added, “We're proud to partner with AXIM to bring innovative, reliable, and easy-to-use diagnostics to our ophthalmology and optometry customers. Latin America's providers are eager for in-office tools that can streamline diagnosis and guide treatment decisions for dry eye and allergic conjunctivitis.”
JK Medical receives exclusive rights to market and distribute TearScan® tests across the seven countries. Under the agreement, a 4-year period of exclusivity commences once regulatory approval is obtained in 2 out of the 7 countries, with the exception of Chile where commercialization can occur immediately. JK Medical will lead distribution, education, and onboarding, while AXIM provides product supply, training, and technical support. The companies will collaborate on country-specific registrations and compliance activities.
Dry Eye Disease affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide, including tens of millions across Latin America. Clinicians face challenges in differentiating between aqueous-deficient DED (ADDE), where the lacrimal glands do not produce enough tears, and evaporative DED (EDE), where tears evaporate too quickly due to meibomian gland dysfunction. Additionally, determining whether an allergic component exists adds complexity. Visual inspection alone is insufficient for diagnosis, as it cannot reliably distinguish between these conditions.
AXIM's diagnostic approach addresses these challenges by testing for Lactoferrin levels to determine ADDE. If Lactoferrin levels are normal, clinicians can test IgE levels for allergic conjunctivitis. If both are normal, the DED may be due to EDE, prompting further targeted testing. AXIM's TearScan® portfolio is the only point-of-care solution that enables eye-care professionals to identify whether a patient has ADDE, allergy, or a combination, make the correct differential diagnosis at the first visit, and select targeted therapies while tracking treatment efficacy.
These diagnostics are quickly becoming primary front-line tools in dry eye and ocular allergy care. For more information, visit AXIM Biotechnologies or JK Medical.
