IM MEDICAL FINALISES SIGMA DEALFOR RETAIL ROLLOUT OF...

IM MEDICAL FINALISES SIGMA DEAL
FOR RETAIL ROLLOUT OF INTELLIHEART
IM Medical today announced an agreement to sell the Intelliheart cardiac risk assessment
tests through one of Australia’s biggest retail health networks.
Under an exclusivity agreement signed this week, Sigma Pharmaceuticals Ltd will
purchase the unique Intelliheart tests and sell them in hundreds of Amcal Max , Amcal and
Guardian pharmacies around Australia.
The Chief Executive Officer of IM Medical, Mr Tommas Bonvino, said the agreement was
a significant milestone in IM Medical’s commercialisation strategy for Intelliheart.
“The alliance combines IM Medical’s risk assessment technology leadership with the
powerful brands and marketing power of Sigma,” he said.
“This combination will make preventative medicine a reality for more people.
Cardiovascular disease is Australia’s number one health issue measured by deaths and
health costs. Much of it can be prevented. The first step is measuring risk and that it where
Intelliheart comes in.”
Sales through the Sigma network are expected to begin through more than 200 pharmacies
in Victoria in July, with other States following in the next few months.
Intelliheart is a superior, non-invasive cardiac risk assessment test which takes a number of
measurements for doctors to analyse and measure cardiac risk. It is the only widely
available test which tests heart rate variability and arterial stiffness, two tests which
research is showing are powerful new indicators of possible heart problems.
Sigma is one of Australia’s biggest manufacturers, distributors and marketers of
pharmaceutical products. Its national network includes more than 700 retail pharmacies
under the Amcal and Guardian banners.
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Under the agreement, Sigma will also have the right to produce and market other health
and heart-related products under the Intelliheart brand.
The exclusivity agreement with Sigma follows a successful pilot program in a number of
pharmacies where consumer acceptance was tested and demonstrated.
Mr Bonvino said the agreement cemented Intelliheart’s entry to the retail market.
Intelliheart was introduced in medical practices in 2006. In the past 12 months, it has
become available in workplace testing programs and a national network of fitness centres.
The Managing Director of Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Mr Elmo de Alwis, said: “Sigma is
delighted to be involved in this important health care initiative. Prevention is the easiest,
most inexpensive and best cure for cardiovascular disease and this alliance will bring the
prospect of prevention closer to the patients. The positioning of our retail banners, Amcal
Max , Amcal and Guardian, lends themselves to the community based activities which rely
on the pharmacists professional advisory role ".
Intelliheart uses specialised equipment and software to measure blood pressure, heart rate
variability, blood vessel stiffness and the electrical activity of the heart.
These measurements are combined with other data such as cholesterol levels, blood
glucose levels, family history, smoking history, lifestyle and weight to assess a patient’s
risk of heart problems.
Further information: CEO Tommas Bonvino 9860 0900
Media enquiries: Michael Smith 0411 055 306