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. initially 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 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 significant advancement in addressing the diagnostic challenges facing eye-care professionals in Latin America. Dry Eye Disease affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide, including tens of millions across Latin America. Clinicians face substantial 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. Additionally, determining whether there is an allergic component presents another critical diagnostic hurdle that traditional visual inspection methods cannot adequately address.

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 inappropriate treatment selection and delayed relief for patients suffering from ocular conditions.

AXIM's diagnostic approach provides a systematic method for addressing 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. Since dry eye is often multifactorial, administering both tests is advisable as patients may have a combination of conditions requiring different treatment approaches.

The TearScan® portfolio represents 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 these conditions. These diagnostics allow for making correct differential diagnosis at the first visit and selecting targeted therapies while tracking treatment efficacy over time. With TearScan® Lactoferrin and TearScan® IgE tests, physicians can save valuable chair time while giving patients faster, more accurate answers, making these diagnostics primary front-line tools in dry eye and ocular allergy care.

Under the agreement terms, JK Medical receives exclusive rights to market and distribute TearScan® tests across the seven countries for a four-year period commencing once regulatory approval is obtained in two out of the seven countries, with the exception of Chile where commercialization can occur immediately. JK Medical will lead distribution, education, and onboarding activities, while AXIM will provide product supply, training, and technical support. The companies will collaborate on country-specific registrations and compliance activities to ensure timely market access throughout the region. For more information about AXIM's technology, visit https://www.aximbiotech.com.