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.