CINCINNATI, Nov 15, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Meridian Bioscience,
Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio (NASDAQ:VIVO) today increased its previous
guidance for fiscal 2005 earnings from a range of $0.62 to $0.66 per
share to a new range of $0.66 to $0.70 per share. The per share
estimates assume an increase in average shares outstanding from
approximately 15.3 million at fiscal 2004 year end to 15.6 million at
fiscal 2005 year end. Management continues to believe net sales will
be in the range of $84 to $88 million for fiscal 2005. The sales and
earnings guidance provided in this press release does not include the
positive impact of the announced contemplated acquisition of O.E.M.
Concepts, Inc., which will add to sales and is expected to be
accretive to per share earnings, nor any other acquisition Meridian
might complete during fiscal 2005.
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", "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, 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.
SOURCE: Meridian Bioscience, Inc.
Meridian Bioscience, Inc., Cincinnati
John A. Kraeutler, 513-271-3700