Meridian Bioscience Expands Its Portfolio and Launches First Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) Products

CINCINNATI, Aug. 23, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: VIVO) today announced the launch of their Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product line. The first ASR products include a primer set and probes for detection of Helicobacter pylori and the target sequence associated with Clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori strains.

Richard L. Eberly, President, Chief Commercial Officer stated, "As a consistent innovator and market share leader for in vitro diagnostic devices, it is important that Meridian's diagnostic tools for emerging pathogens be made available early so that evaluations and validations can be undertaken by our customers as they recognize the coming needs of their labs.  We are committed to growing our presence in the clinical market by expanding our menu of products to include ASRs and other early stage diagnostics. In the future, we expect to introduce additional ASRs as we expand this product line."  

ASRs are used by laboratories to develop and validate their own tests. In the United States there are no commercially available in vitro diagnostic products for the identification of Clarithromycin-resistant strains; therefore, Meridian's ASRs address an unmet need, allowing laboratories to develop their own tests.

Helicobacter pylori and Helicobacter pylori Clarithromycin-resistant probes and primers are now available for immediate ordering through Bioline, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Meridian Bioscience, Inc. Meridian's ASRs are manufactured under strict GMP controls to meet the growing demand for building blocks with a guarantee of purity. In compliance with US regulations, ASRs can only be sold to clinical laboratories regulated under CLIA 1988 as qualified to perform high complexity testing under 42 CFR part 483 or under VHA directive 1106.

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 and blood lead levels. 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 health care. Meridian has strong market positions in the areas of gastrointestinal and upper respiratory infections; serology, parasitology and fungal disease diagnosis, and blood lead level testing. 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 70 countries around the world. The Company's shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, symbol VIVO. Meridian's website address is www.meridianbioscience.com.

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For more information about Bioline, please visit www.bioline.com.