London - 06/08/09

bioMérieux launches VIDAS® EBV test for diagnosing infectious mononucleosis

Marcy l’Etoile (France), 06 August 2009 — bioMérieux, a world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics, has launched the VIDAS® EBV test for the detection of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This virus causes 80% of cases of infectious mononucleosis (IM), which is often known as ‘the kissing disease’, because it is transmitted through saliva.

Infectious mononucleosis (IM) causes sufferers significant fatigue that can last for several months.

The new test is especially useful for doctors, since IM symptoms are similar to those of other diseases that are infectious (such as strep throat, toxoplasmosis, rubella, etc.) or non-infectious.

VIDAS® EBV helps to avoid the inappropriate prescription of antibiotics to patients by clinicians, hence reduces the inappropriate use of antibiotics by patients. Diagnosis also enables doctors to advise their patients on curtailing contact sports or avoiding alcohol, and to make recommendations regarding certain medications intended to prevent rare but serious complications.

Developed by bioMérieux, this new test, based on proprietary technology, comprises a panel of three markers that must be used together in order to detect specific antibodies and determine the stage of infection. The test was developed on the automated VIDAS® system, which is widely recognized for its robustness and reliability.

VIDAS® EBV has received CE approval and provides rapid results in 40 minutes. It is a valuable addition to the tests already available on the VIDAS® platform for the detection of toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus infections — two diseases that cause the same symptoms as the Epstein-Barr virus does.

“This is yet another example of bioMérieux R&D’s capacity for innovation,” says Stéphane Bancel, bioMérieux Chief Executive Officer. “Infectious mononucleosis occurs frequently and requires accurate diagnosis. With 23,000 VIDAS® and mini-VIDAS® systems installed in customer labs, this innovative test will be widely available to doctors throughout the world.”

Infectious mononucleosis primarily affects adolescents. According to the CDC, over 40% of young people aged 10 to 19 have been infected with the Epstein-Barr virus. The virus is transmitted through saliva. After an incubation period of two to seven weeks, patients may be contagious for up to 18 months.

About VIDAS®

Nearly 26,000 VIDAS® systems have been installed worldwide, which gives bioMérieux the second-largest installed base of any immunoassay system worldwide. The 26,000 VIDAS® systems include both the VIDAS® system and its compact version — known as the mini-VIDAS® — with 23,000 units used for clinical applications and 3,000 units used for industrial applications. These systems offer multi-parameter instruments using ELFA (Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay) technology, based on a ready-to-use single-sample test concept. The analyses may be run in a series or individually.

Launched in 1992, the VIDAS® product range has earned a reputation for quality and reliability. Today the VIDAS® menu includes 91 clinical parameters covering a wide range of human pathologies: identification and quantification of bacteria; viruses and parasites; antibodies measuring the immunological response to an infection such as AIDS and different proteins circulating in the blood; markers for selected cardio-vascular diseases and certain cancers; and, finally, inflammatory response and hormonal dysfunction.

Part of the VIDAS® menu covers emergency diagnostics, including the VIDAS® D-Dimer ExclusionTM test, which constitutes the recognized reference test for the exclusion of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism diagnoses, and the VIDAS® B.R.A.H.M.S PCT test for measuring Procalcitonin (PCT) levels, which is used for the early detection of severe bacterial infections (sepsis, for instance).

About bioMérieux

bioMérieux goes by its mission statement: Innovative diagnostics to improve public health. The group has been a world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics for over 45 years, and bioMérieux is present in more than 150 countries through 39 subsidiaries and a large network of distributors. In 2008, revenues reached €1.111 billion, with 84% of sales made outside France (its home base).

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

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

For further information, go to: www.biomerieux.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Kate AMBLER – Press Officer

UBIFRANCE Press Office in London

Telephone: 020-7235-5330

Email: kate.ambler@ubifrance.fr

Web site: www.ftpb.co.uk

UBIFRANCE UK #3299