bioMérieux launches the first automated detection test for Clostridium difficile A and B toxins

With results in just 75 minutes (as opposed to 24 to 48 hours using the reference method), this test enables faster therapeutic decision-making and patient isolation measures in order to prevent all types of transmission. Performing this test on the VIDAS® system provides laboratories with the first fully automated and standardized solution. Finally, by combining the detection of both A and B toxins, VIDAS® C. difficile Toxin A&B significantly increases detection sensitivity and reliability.

Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of bioMérieux, states: “The introduction of this automated test using VIDAS, one of the most widely used immunoassay automated systems in the world, offers a new solution to detect, prevent and better control hospital-acquired infections. These are a major worry for any health professional and any hospitalized patient, and are part of the key pathologies identified in our strategic plan.”

VIDAS® C. difficile Toxin A&B strengthens the bioMérieux product line: specific culture medium “C. difficile agar,” identification with the “API® 20A” strip, antibiogram with the “ATBTM Anaerobic” strip and bacterial genotyping with the DiversiLab® system.

About Clostridium difficile

The significance of this bacterium is on the rise:

• It is being more often isolated today (according to the CDC, there were 61 cases of Clostridium difficile per 100,000 patients in 2003, as opposed to 31 in 1996) as a result of frequent antibiotic use. It can lead to extremely serious and incapacitating pseudomembranous colitis.
• Type 027 of this bacterium has recently appeared, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates (7 to 22% during epidemics in Canada). This type was first uncovered on the North American continent (United States and Canada) and continues its rapid progression towards Europe, where several countries have already been affected. In France, 159 hospitals have declared 862 Clostridium difficile infections between January 2006 and March 2007. In the Nord - Pas de Calais region, 21% of infected patients died.
• This bacterium is extremely contagious, owing to the persistence of spores on inert surfaces; it requires aggressive measures of patient isolation, hygiene and disinfection.

About Hospital Acquired Infections

Nosocomial infections are a serious public health issue today. They are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. These pathologies result in a considerable increase in healthcare expenses, despite the widely-recognized efforts of public health authorities to keep them under control.
Almost two million nosocomial infections are detected every year in the United States, 80,000 of which result in the patient's premature death. Their cost represents 5 billion U.S. dollars per year (WHO figures, 2005).
Five million hospital acquired infections are detected in Europe every year, 135,000 of which end in death (Suetens C, IPSE, 2006).
Almost 1.4 million people worldwide suffer from a nosocomial infection everyday (WHO figures, 2005).
bioMérieux has been a major player in the fields of microbiology and infectious diseases for over 40 years. The company has developed world-renowned expertise thanks to major innovations in the areas of culture, identification, antibiotics susceptibility testing and bloodculture, which have led to more rapid and more reliable diagnoses of infectious diseases and the implementation of more well-adapted and earlier treatments.

bioMérieux is now in a position to become a major contributor to the fight against hospital-acquired infections. The goal of a company at the service of microbiology laboratories, public health services and health professionals in general is to provide clinical practitioners with the right information at the right time to facilitate medical choices by offering them:

• a wide and well-adapted range of products to fight these infections;
• recognized expertise in microbiology: a leader in identification and antibiotics susceptibility testing and a pioneer in chromogenic media.

About VIDAS®

With more than 20,000 systems installed worldwide, mainly in small and mid-size labs, VIDAS®, and its compact version miniVIDAS®, is the second world wide installed base in immunoassays. VIDAS® and miniVIDAS® are multi-parameter instruments using ELFA (Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay) technology, and based on a ready-to-use single-sample test concept. The analyses may be run as a customizable test at up to 50 tests per hour. Started in 1992, the menu includes 82 clinical parameters covering a wide range of human pathologies: identification and quantification of (i) bacteria, viruses and parasites in biological samples, (ii) antibodies measuring the immunological response to an infection such as AIDS or viral hepatitis, and (iii) different proteins circulating in the blood, markers for selected cardio-vascular diseases or certain cancers, inflammatory response and hormonal dysfunction. Part of the VIDAS® menu covers emergency diagnostics, including the VIDAS® D-Dimer EXCLUSIONTM test, the recognized reference test for the exclusion of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism diagnoses, the VIDAS® Troponin I Ultra test, for the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome and the VIDAS® B·R·A·H·M·S PCT test, for measuring procalcitonin levels, used in the early detection of severe bacterial infections (e.g. sepsis).

About bioMérieux

Advancing Diagnostics to Improve Public Health.
A world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics for over 40 years, bioMérieux is present in more than 150 countries through 35 subsidiaries and a large network of distributors. In 2006, revenues reached €1.037 billion with 83% 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 cardiovascular emergencies and cancer screening and monitoring. They are also used for detecting microorganisms in agri-food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. bioMérieux is listed on Eurolist by Euronext. Other information can be found at http://www.biomerieux.com/.

Contacts bioMérieux

Investor Relations
bioMérieux
Hervé Laurent
Tel : + 33 4 78 87 22 37
investor.relations@eu.biomerieux.com

Media Relations
bioMérieux
Koren Wolman-Tardy
Tel : + 33 4 78 87 20 08
media@eu.biomerieux.com

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Tel : + 33 1 44 50 39 30
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Laurence Heilbronn
Tel : + 33 1 53 70 74 64
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Estelle Guillot-Tantay
Tel : + 33 1 53 70 74 93
egt@image7.fr