CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 22, 2005--Meridian Bioscience,
Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio (NASDAQ:VIVO) today announced that Viral
Antigens, Inc. (VAI), a wholly owned life science subsidiary, received
a patent entitled "Specificity in the Detection of Anti-Rubella IgM
Antibodies" from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This patent
encompasses improved methods for detection of anti-rubella IgM
antibodies in commercial diagnostic products, utilized to test blood
samples for the presence of rubella antibodies. VAI is a leading
supplier of purified virus proteins that are used by clinical
diagnostic test manufacturers. The allowance of this patent (Patent
No. 6,872,396) further strengthens VAI's intellectual property
position and adds further claims to the first patent issued on
December 30, 2003.
Rubella viral infection (German Measles) is typically a mild and
self-limited disease that is most often contracted during childhood.
Primary rubella infection in adults is less common, and may have very
serious consequences in pregnant women. Infection of a fetus during
the first trimester of pregnancy may result in spontaneous abortion or
severe fetal abnormalities. Because of the fetal risk associated with
primary maternal rubella infection, blood samples from pregnant women
are routinely tested for the presence of anti-rubella IgM antibodies
during the first trimester of pregnancy. For those diagnostic tests
that use VAI's new technology for detection of anti-rubella IgM
antibodies, the number of false positive test results will be reduced,
thereby providing more accurate information for the physician to
correctly manage the patient's disease. This increased accuracy will
result in more reliable patient counseling and treatment, potentially
reducing the number and cost of unnecessary medical procedures while
improving overall patient care.
"Our Life Science portfolio of advanced technologies for the
development and manufacturing of critical proteins is further
strengthened by this new, patented capability. Superior biological
components that provide greater accuracy in diagnostic testing is the
key objective for Meridian Life Science and its manufacturing
partners," stated Richard L. Eberly, General Manager, Meridian Life
Science.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a
safe harbor from civil litigation for forward-looking statements
accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements. Except for historical
information, this report contains forward-looking statements which may
be identified by words such as "estimates", "anticipates", "projects",
"plans", "seeks", "may", "will", "expects", "intends", "believes",
"should" and similar expressions or the negative versions thereof and
which also may be identified by their context. Such statements are
based upon current expectations of the Company and speak only as of
the date made. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update
any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to
various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual
results to differ, including, without limitation, the following:
Meridian's continued growth depends, in part, on its ability to
introduce into the marketplace enhancements of existing products or
new products that incorporate technological advances, meet customer
requirements and respond to products developed by Meridian's
competition. While Meridian has introduced a number of internally
developed products, there can be no assurance that it will be
successful in the future in introducing such products on a timely
basis. Ongoing consolidations of reference laboratories and formation
of multi-hospital alliances may cause adverse changes to pricing and
distribution. Costs and difficulties in complying with laws and
regulations administered by the United States Food and Drug
Administration can result in unanticipated expenses and delays and
interruptions to the sale of new and existing products. Changes in the
relative strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar can change expected
results. One of Meridian's main growth strategies is the acquisition
of companies and product lines. There can be no assurance that
additional acquisitions will be consummated or that, if consummated,
will be successful and the acquired businesses successfully integrated
into Meridian's operations.
Meridian is a fully integrated life science company that
manufactures, markets and distributes a broad range of innovative
diagnostic test kits, purified reagents and related products and
offers biopharmaceutical enabling technologies. Utilizing a variety of
methods, these products provide accuracy, simplicity and speed in the
early diagnosis and treatment of common medical conditions, such as
gastrointestinal, viral, and respiratory infections. Meridian
diagnostic products are used outside of the human body and require
little or no special equipment. The Company's products are designed to
enhance patient well-being while reducing the total outcome costs of
healthcare. Meridian has strong market positions in the areas of
gastrointestinal and upper respiratory infections, serology,
parasitology and fungal disease diagnosis. In addition, Meridian is a
supplier of rare reagents and specialty biologicals along with
proteins and other biologicals used by biopharmaceutical companies
engaged in research for new drugs and vaccines. The Company markets
its products to hospitals, reference laboratories, research centers,
veterinary testing centers, physician offices and diagnostics
manufacturers in more than 60 countries around the world. The
Company's shares are traded through Nasdaq's National Market, symbol
VIVO. Meridian's website address is www.meridianbioscience.com.
CONTACT: Meridian Bioscience, Inc., Cincinnati
John A. Kraeutler, 513-271-3700
SOURCE: Meridian Bioscience, Inc.