Meridian Continues Its Fight Against Tropical Diseases by Introducing the Most Comprehensive Menu of Antigens and Antibodies for Diagnostic Applications

CINCINNATI, May 04, 2017 -- Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIVO) today announced the most comprehensive product offering of tropical disease biologicals intended for the development and manufacture of point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests.  This product menu from Meridian Life Science, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Meridian Bioscience, Inc., of over 150 highest quality biologicals consisting of native, recombinant antigens and antibodies is the most comprehensive offering available for commercial applications. In addition, many of these biologicals that we have supplied are currently in diagnostic assays for zika, dengue, chikungunya, malaria, lyme, leptospirosis, leishmaniasis, and chagas; which have obtained FDA, ANVISA, and CE approvals.

Tropical and vector-borne diseases account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases, causing more than 1 million deaths annually. Recognizing infected patients early in their clinical course is critical to preventing outbreaks. Tropical and vector-borne diseases are among the most complex of all infectious diseases to prevent and control.  Many of these pathogens are also vector-borne diseases, transmitted between humans by a vector which is typically a blood-sucking anthropoid (e.g., mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, lice, and mites). Serological POC diagnostics are the most rapid and convenient methods available for tropical and vector-borne diseases. Tests either detect antigens from the infectious agent or virus specific IgG/IgM antibodies and include formats such as solid-phase dip-sticks (ELISA), particle agglutination, and lateral flow. Ideally, screening assays should have minimal cross-reactivity with other infectious diseases and have a high sensitivity, especially during the early stages of the infection.

Meridian Life Science, Inc. has dedicated great efforts to offer a complete range of antigens and antibodies ideal for the development of sensitive and specific immunoassays that detect tropical and vector-borne diseases. Lourdes Weltzien, Ph.D., Vice President of Meridian Life Science and President of Meridian Asia Pacific commented, “As soon as the WHO officially declared on February 1, 2016, that the Zika virus was a public health emergency of international concern; we immediately launched our recombinant antigens for Zika tests development, which have already been approved in high volume tests by various regulatory agencies around the world.  The Zika virus is a pathogen spread by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito; which is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever.  In addition to Zika, we have also enhanced our antigen and antibody offer for chikungunya, dengue, and yellow fever.”

Richard L. Eberly, President, Chief Commercial Officer, stated, “We are pleased to announce the release of the expanded range of antigens and antibodies for emerging Tropical diseases. This is an important addition of products to our ever-increasing portfolio of biologicals that are incorporated into diagnostic products and provides all of our global life science customers the ability to quickly develop diagnostic tests for these important pathogens. The further development of the Tropical disease family of biologicals demonstrates our commitment, not just to the continued development and expansion of products from Meridian Life Science, but also to our diagnostic manufacturing customers who desire to quickly address this emerging global market of Tropical diseases.”

To learn more, please visit our Tropical Diseases section at www.meridianlifescience.com.

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, rare reagents, specialty biologicals and components. Utilizing a variety of methods, our diagnostic tests provide accuracy, simplicity and speed in the early diagnosis and treatment of common medical conditions, such as infections and lead poisoning. Meridian’s diagnostic products are used outside of the human body and require little or no special equipment. The Company's diagnostic 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 and blood lead level testing. In addition, Meridian is a supplier of rare reagents, specialty biologicals and components used by organizations in the life science and agribio industries engaged in research and by companies as components in the manufacture of diagnostics. The Company markets its products and technologies to hospitals, reference laboratories, research centers, diagnostics manufacturers and agribio 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.

CONTACT:
Richard L. Eberly
President, Chief Commercial Officer
Meridian Bioscience, Inc. 
Phone: 513.271.3700
[email protected]