CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2004--Meridian Bioscience,
Inc., (Nasdaq:VIVO) today announced that it has begun to sell its
newest product, ImmunoCard Toxins A&B in the European market. This
important new test detects toxins produced by strains of the
Clostridium difficile bacterium (C. difficile). C. difficile is
recognized as the major causative agent of colitis (inflammation of
the colon) and diarrhea that may occur following antibiotic therapy.
In hospitals or nursing home facilities where C. difficile is
prevalent and patients frequently receive antibiotics, the disease is
very common. ImmunoCard Toxins A&B is a simple, rapid test that
provides clear cut, color-change results in minutes.
Antonio Interno, President and Managing Director Meridian
Bioscience Europe, stated, "C. difficile infection represents one of
the most common hospital infections around the world. We have begun
distributing our ImmunoCard Toxins A&B test to all European markets
and we are encouraged by the positive feedback from our customers."
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, urinary and respiratory infections. All
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.
John A. Kraeutler, 513-271-3700
SOURCE: Meridian Bioscience, Inc.
