Retinal imaging company, epipole Ltd announces that it has signed a distribution agreement with a Chinese distributor that will launch their flagship product, the epiCam®, in China and Hong Kong. The ultra-portable handheld epiCam® will be launched in Hong Kong immediately, alongside commencing the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA, formerly known as CFDA) registration process in China.
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epipole takes a significant step forward today with the signing of a distribution agreement for both the Chinese and Hong Kong markets, enabling the company to access a market which is valued at in excess of $350 million (2022), and is growing at a CAGR of >9%. This growth rate is driven by factors such as an aging population and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and the market is projected to reach in excess of $830 million by 2032.
The need for retinal imaging in China is increasing due to a convergence of an aging population, a rise in the prevalence of chronic disease, and public health initiatives. The Chinese government has launched several public health campaigns and screening programs to tackle preventable blindness, and retinal imaging is being adopted in primary care settings and rural outreach programs as a screening tool for both retinal and systemic disease.
China currently has the highest number of diabetics globally, with over 140 million (>15%) adults affected. This growing prevalence of diabetes has led to an increased demand for healthcare services which include retinal imaging, as diabetic retinopathy (DR) becomes more common. Early detection and management are crucial to prevent complications associated with diabetes.
In addition, the prevalence of myopia (near-sightedness) in China has been increasing over the past few decades, particularly among children and adolescents. Recent data suggests >30% of primary school students are affected, rising to >80% in high school students. As the population of China lives longer, age-related eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma, are becoming more common, and these diseases require regular monitoring via retinal imaging.
This partnership is a major step toward the company’s mission of the eradication of preventable blindness, and the ultraportable, handheld retinal camera and live video ophthalmoscope the epiCam® and epipole are poised to make a transformative impact in the region.
epipole’s CEO, Sarah Jardine, commented: “Having a partner in China and Hong Kong is a significant step forward for epipole, and the epiCam® is ideally placed to support in both primary care and primary eyecare settings in this region, whether in China’s megacities or in more rural locations. We’re committed to the eradication of preventable blindness, and bringing our cutting-edge technology to this region brings us another step closer to making this a reality.”
For further information, please contact: Sarah Jardine, CEO on info@epipole.com
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About epipole:
epipole, an award-winning UK-based medical device company have developed and manufacture the epiCam®, a handheld fundus camera and video-direct ophthalmoscope designed for high-definition retinal imaging. Utilising the latest in ultra-portable optics technology the epiCam® provides medical professionals with the ability to capture live, HD video and still images of the retina (back of the eye).
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