bioMérieux and Wescor Bring a New Gram Staining Instrument for Enhanced Microbiology Laboratory Workflow

With this OEM (original equipment manufacturer) agreement, bioMérieux reinforces its leadership position in the microbiology laboratory, bringing automation to a new step in the analytic process with the unique slide staining technology, PREVI™ Color Gram and PREVI™ Color TB.

Gram staining is a critical and mandatory test performed in the microbiology laboratory. It is a preliminary step used to differentiate Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. A cumbersome and long procedure, traditional Gram staining requires technical expertise, numerous manual steps and therefore lacks reliability and reproducibility. Wescor’s automated spray technology saves time and enables standardization and accuracy of results. The addition of the Cytopro® rotor to the slide stainers results in a cytocentrifugation with eight slide capacity. The innovative technique also improves laboratory workflow and generates significant savings for laboratories of all sizes. Commercial launch is scheduled for the third quarter 2008.

“This very promising partnership with Wescor further advances bioMérieux’s strategy to enhance microbiology laboratory automation. From having two microbiology instruments mid 2006, bioMérieux will be offering six microbiology instruments to customers in summer 2008,” said Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of bioMérieux. “The PREVI Color Gram and PREVI Color TB consume less reagents than other current methods, also contributing to our company’s commitment to sustainable development,” he added.

The bioMérieux PREVI Color Gram and PREVI Color TB perfectly complements bioMérieux’s complete range of fully automated solutions for the microbiology bench, with recent innovations such as the MicroStreak® for PPM streaking and Sysmex UF-1000i for urinary screening.

About Centrifugation, Gram and Mycobacteria Staining

Properly Gram-stained preparations can quickly give you considerable information that can be applied immediately to patient care. The Gram stain is particularly useful in the presumptive diagnosis of bacterial meningitis, bacterial pneumonia, bacteriuria, gonorrhea, and infections of the brain, lung, abdomen, and wounds.

The current strategy for the control of tuberculosis (TB) relies on early diagnosis. Smear microscopy is an essential component of the laboratory diagnosis of TB in most countries with a high prevalence of the disease.

The Cytopro Cytocentrifuge rotor uses centrifugal force and three unique patented chamber designs to sediment cells onto the slide. With the standard volume (single or dual) chambers, suspension fluid is simultaneously absorbed into the Cytopad® absorption pad as cells contact the microscope slide. The recently introduced high volume Cytopro Magnum™ chamber is easy to use and also retains the excess fluid from a suspended sample.

About Wescor

Wescor has been designing and manufacturing medical laboratory equipment for sample preparation and diagnostic measurement since 1970, and is the world leader in sweat testing equipment for the laboratory diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. Wescor's automated slide stainers and cytocentrifuges enjoy an excellent reputation throughout the world. Information about Wescor's products can be found at www.wescor.com.

Wescor is part of the privately held ELITech group, which is based in Puteaux, France. Wescor and ELITech are pleased to provide these OEM products for bioMérieux and believe that they will enhance the uniformity and reliability of this aspect of medical diagnosis throughout the world.

About bioMérieux

Advancing Diagnostics to Improve Public Health

A world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics for 45 years, bioMérieux is present in more than 150 countries through 37 subsidiaries and a large network of distributors. In 2007, revenues reached €1.063 billion with 84% 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 Euronext Paris. Other information can be found at http://www.biomerieux.com/.

Contacts bioMérieux

Investor Relations
bioMérieux
Hervé Laurent
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investor.relations@eu.biomerieux.com

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Nancy Levain
Tel: + 33 1 55 27 15 88
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Media Relations
bioMérieux
Koren Wolman-Tardy
Tel: + 33 4 78 87 20 08
media@eu.biomerieux.com

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Laurence Heilbronn
Tel: + 33 1 53 70 74 64
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Tiphaine Hecketsweiler
Tel: + 33 1 53 70 74 59
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