Meridian Life Science Awarded SBIR II by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to Develop Rotavirus Vaccine

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Meridian Life Science, Inc., (MLS) of Memphis, Tennessee, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Meridian Bioscience, Inc. VIVO, is proud to announce they have been selected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop a process for manufacture of a rotavirus vaccine. Funding for this activity will be provided through a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract. Process development will focus on optimization of growth and yield of the virus in cell culture, developing and characterizing a column-based purification process followed by formulation, inactivation and filling of the vaccine. This SBIR II, which follows an initial SBIR I awarded to MLS in 2013, will fund a 15 month research and development effort leading to scale up and manufacture of a rotavirus vaccine for use in clinical trials. MLS is a contract manufacturer offering production of vaccines and challenge stocks which employ current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) as described in 21 CFR Parts 210 and 211.

According to the CDC's website, rotavirus causes gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines). The rotavirus disease causes severe watery diarrhea, often with vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. In babies and young children, it can lead to dehydration (loss of body fluids). Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. Globally, it causes more than a half a million deaths each year in children younger than 5 years of age.

Dr. Victor Van Cleave, Vice President of Research and Development (R&D) at Meridian Life Science said, “Meridian is pleased to have been selected by the CDC to receive this SBIR II award and appreciate the CDC's continued confidence in our ability to deliver a novel process for rotavirus vaccine production. Rotavirus is a serious problem globally for infants and we feel honored to be a part of this program to assist in the eradication of this challenging health issue. The project is an excellent fit for Meridian's core virology and virus-based product manufacturing capabilities. The earlier SBIR I award from the CDC set the stage for this latest stage of development and our scientists are proud to be a part of an effort that could significantly reduce the incidence and severity of rotavirus infections in children.”

ABOUT MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE, INC.

Meridian is a fully integrated life science company that develops, 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 and diagnostic tests provide accuracy, simplicity and speed in the early diagnosis and treatment of common medical conditions, such as gastrointestinal, viral and respiratory infections. Meridian's 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, specialty biologicals and related technologies used by biopharmaceutical companies engaged in research for new drugs and vaccines. The Company markets its products and technologies to hospitals, reference laboratories, research centers, diagnostics manufacturers and biotech companies in more than 60 countries around the world. The Company's shares are traded on NASDAQ's Global Select Market, symbol VIVO. Meridian's website address is www.meridianbioscience.com.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For more information about Bioline, please visit www.bioline.com
For more information about Meridian Life Science, Inc., please visit www.meridianlifescience.com
For more information about Meridian Bioscience, Inc., please visit www.meridianbioscience.com
Richard L. Eberly, rick.eberly@meridianbioscience.com