AXIM Biotechnologies Partners with JK Medical to Expand Access to Ocular Diagnostic Tests Across Latin America

AXIM Biotechnologies, Inc. has entered into 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 and the TearScan® IgE Diagnostic Test for aiding in the diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis within the covered territory.

The collaboration represents a significant advancement in addressing the diagnostic challenges facing eye-care professionals across Latin America. Dry Eye Disease affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide, including tens of millions across Latin America, creating substantial unmet needs in proper diagnosis and treatment. Clinicians currently face challenges in differentiating between aqueous-deficient DED, where the lacrimal glands do not produce enough tears, and evaporative DED, where tears evaporate too quickly due to meibomian gland dysfunction.

Visual inspection alone has significant limitations for diagnosing dry eye, as visual cues cannot determine whether the cause is meibomian gland dysfunction, inadequate tear production, or a combination of both. Some patients may not have obvious visual signs but still experience significant symptoms, while others may show visual signs of damage but not report symptoms. This diagnostic uncertainty often leads to delayed or inappropriate treatment.

AXIM's diagnostic approach provides a solution to these challenges. By testing for Lactoferrin levels, clinicians can determine whether a patient has aqueous-deficient DED if levels are below normal. If Lactoferrin levels are normal, clinicians can then test IgE levels for allergic conjunctivitis. If both tests show normal results, the dry eye may be due to evaporative DED, prompting additional targeted testing. The TearScan® portfolio is the only point-of-care solution that enables eye-care professionals to identify whether a patient has aqueous-deficient DED, allergy, or a combination of conditions, make the correct differential diagnosis at the first visit, and select targeted therapies while tracking treatment efficacy over time.

Catalina Valencia, CEO of AXIM Biotechnologies, stated that this partnership represents a major step in expanding access to rapid, clinic-friendly ocular diagnostics throughout Latin America. By combining AXIM's TearScan® portfolio with JK Medical's established footprint, the companies can support eye-care professionals with objective biomarkers that complement clinical evaluation for dry eye disease and ocular allergy.

Juan Carlos Torres, CEO of JK Medical, Inc., noted that Latin America's providers are eager for in-office tools that can streamline diagnosis and guide treatment decisions for dry eye and allergic conjunctivitis. The agreement grants JK Medical exclusive rights to market and distribute TearScan® tests across the seven countries, with a four-year period of exclusivity commencing once regulatory approval is obtained in two out of the seven countries, except in Chile where commercialization can occur immediately.

JK Medical will lead distribution, education, and onboarding efforts, while AXIM will provide product supply, training, and technical support. The companies will collaborate on country-specific registrations and compliance activities. These rapid, point-of-care tests provide clinicians with tools to diagnose aqueous-deficient DED and allergic conjunctivitis quickly, saving valuable chair time while giving patients faster, more accurate answers. For more information about AXIM Biotechnologies, visit https://www.aximbiotech.com.