bioMérieux Acquires from AnagnosTec Database and Expertise for Rapid Microbial Identification Using Mass Spectrometry

Regulatory News:

bioMérieux (Paris:BIM) announces today that it has agreed on the terms for the acquisition of certain assets from AnagnosTec, a company based in the greater Berlin area, specialized in microbial identification with MALDI-TOF* mass spectrometry technology.

Under the terms of the agreement, bioMérieux will acquire from AnagnosTec the microbial database for bacterial identification, the related intellectual property and know-how and work with AnagnosTec experts to develop bioMérieux’s offering in mass spectrometry-based solutions. AnagnosTec is a primary innovator and pioneer in the field of MALDI-TOF based microbiology.

"Our team has been building a comprehensive microbial mass spectra database for over a decade and we are very happy to put it in the hands of the best company in microbiology,” said Stefan Sauermann, Chief Executive Officer of AnagnosTec.

"Being able to build on AnagnosTec's extensive know-how and proprietary database solutions is an important asset for bioMérieux,” said Thierry Bernard, Corporate Vice President of Global Commercial Operations. "As the world leader in microbiology, bioMérieux brings the most complete offer for microbiology lab automation. We are continually expanding our product portfolio to meet the evolving needs of microbiologists.”

*Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

About Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry is a technique used to identify simultaneously a multitude of molecules and determine their chemical structure by analyzing the mass and charge of their ions. Such molecular "signatures” can be used for rapid bacterial identification (ID) from isolated colonies. The use of mass spectrometry for bacterial ID is especially suitable and cost-efficient for laboratories with high volumes of samples. Mass spectrometry is not adapted for antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST). For microbiology customers who choose mass spectrometry for bacterial ID, bioMérieux is developing integrated workflow solutions with its VITEK® range, the world’s leading system for ID/AST, and intelligent software to ensure optimal user convenience, full sample traceability and quality of results.

About bioMérieux

Advancing diagnostics to improve public health

A world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics for over 45 years, bioMérieux is present in more than 150 countries through 39 subsidiaries and a large network of distributors. In 2009, revenues reached €1.223 billion with 85% of sales outside of France.

bioMérieux provides diagnostic solutions (reagents, instruments, software) which determine the source of disease and contamination to improve patient health and ensure consumer safety. Our products are used for diagnosing infectious diseases and providing high medical value results for cancer screening and monitoring and cardiovascular emergencies. They are also used for detecting microorganisms in agri-food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

bioMérieux is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris market (Symbol: BIM – ISIN: FR0010096479).

Other information can be found at www.biomerieux.com