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Meridian Bioscience Announces Two New Exclusive International Distribution Agreements in Australia and Argentina

^{Published on 2009-01-27 08:22:03, Last Modified on 2009-01-27 08:23:42 - Market Wire}
 

CINCINNATI--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Meridian Bioscience, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio (NASDAQ: VIVO) today announced the commencement of two new exclusive international distribution agreements. In Australia, Meridian has signed with Immuno Pty, Ltd, based in Sydney. For Argentina, Meridian has signed with Scott Pharma. This decision is consistent with Meridian's stated commitment to expand its non-US businesses.

Over the past 25 years Immuno Pty, [ www.immuno.com.au ], has built a strong reputation in the Australian diagnostic field based on providing the highest level of service and the latest advancements in technology. Like Meridian, the focus on service and innovation helps to deliver faster and more accurate results for pathologists, specialists, doctors and their patients – improving life through science.

Scott Pharma is an experienced healthcare distributor within the rapidly growing Argentina market. Scott Pharma is part of Laboratorio Pablo Cassara, a family owned pharmaceutical company founded in 1948 and located in Buenos Aires.

Todd Motto, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Meridian Bioscience commented, "Following a thorough evaluation of the Australian and Argentinean markets, it is clear that Immuno Pty and Scott Pharma business models align very well with ours. We feel strongly that these are the best partners to ensure expertise in sales, technical support and outstanding customer service. We're confident that this combination of market expertise and Meridian's superior quality products will be very successful."

John A. Kraeutler, Chief Executive Officer, Meridian Bioscience commented, "The effective global distribution of our rapid tests for infectious disease is one of Meridian's key strategies. This is a visible demonstration of our previously communicated objective to improve and expand distribution outside the U.S. By working closely with ideal partners, such as Immuno Pty and Scott Pharma, we can provide opportunities for long-term growth for Meridian and its distributors around the world."

Martin Armstrong, Immuno Pty's Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Over the past 25 years we have worked hard to provide the community with products and services that will increase the standard of health and health outcomes. Meridian's focus is the same as ours, combining high level of technical service and expertise with innovative products. Immuno is very excited to add Meridian Bioscience to our offerings and look forward to serving all of the needs in the microbiology and infectious disease testing area of the laboratory."

Dr. Adrian Uccello, Scott Pharma's Director (from Cassara Holding Group), stated, "We are excited to bring Meridian's product into our portfolio given the strong alignment of their unique products to the Argentina market. We are particularly excited about the opportunities for E. coli detection with their innovative ImmunoCard STAT!^® EHEC product."

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 within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 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, whether expressed or implied, 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 materially, 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. In addition to the factors described in this paragraph, Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors of our Form 10-K contains a list and description of uncertainties, risks and other matters that may affect the Company.

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 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, veterinary testing centers, physician offices, diagnostics manufacturers and biotech companies in more than 60 countries around the world. The Company's shares are traded through NASDAQ's Global Select Market, symbol VIVO. Meridian's website address is [ www.meridianbioscience.com ].