| Leading in vitro diagnostics firm outsources bacteriological analysis projects to GENOME express Grenoble, March 4, 2005 — GENOME express, specialist in DNA analysis, announces today that it has agreed with bioMérieux, a global leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics for medical and industrial applications to carry out a series of specific bacterial analyses for bioMérieux. |   |
bioMérieux selected GENOME express for this work because the DNA analysis specialist offers a unique analysis platform that combines molecular biology (wet lab) expertise with bioinformatics know-how, and allows the company to carry out highly complex bacteriological analysis. Another key factor was GENOME express's ability to process a high volume of samples on a routine basis.
The identification of molecules is based on fully automated phylogenic analysis of marker genes which are compared to a sequence database maintained by GENOME express. bioMérieux will be able to access the results remotely using a customer portal developed, hosted and maintained by GENOME express fully compatible with Oracle. The application not only offers easy access to results but also allows bioMérieux to manage sequence and identity data from its library of bacterial strains. This means that bioMérieux and GENOME express are able to use a production line approach to identifying and bacterial strains that are difficult to identify using traditional approaches.
"Identifying complex strains of bacteria is a natural outlet for GENOME express's know-how in DNA analysis for industry," says Warren Barton, CEO of GENOME express. "At the same time as focusing on our core business — making DNA 'talk' — we have also extended our range of services to cover food identification services for the agri-food sector."
About GENOME express
In business since 1994, GENOME express specializes in DNA analysis for customers in human and animal healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agri-food and academic research. DNA contains the genetic code of living species and contains the key to understanding living organisms. GENOME express offers a team of experts, proprietary technologies, and an optimized process that together form a unique molecular biology and bioinformatics platform.
Using its DNA sequencing core business expertise, GENOME express has developed services and high value added solutions that allow its customers to interpret the data generated quickly and efficiently.
Analysis and identification services include:
— DNA sequencing
— Food ingredient specification
— Bacterial identification
GENOME express also offers custom solutions including an R&D outsourcing facility covering many areas of molecular biology, such as genomic exploration and identification of new markers.
To assist customers in conforming to European regulatory directives, GENOME express provides a range of services dedicated to identifying the content and origin of food through DNA analysis. These services include the detection of allergens or biological contaminants, and address the needs of large scale distribution chains and the agri-food industry.
About bioMérieux
bioMérieux is a leading international diagnostics group that specialises in the field of in vitro diagnostics for clinical and industrial applications. bioMérieux designs, develops, manufactures and markets systems (i.e. reagents, instruments and software) used in:
Clinical applications: the diagnosis of infectious diseases such as hepatitis, HIV, tuberculosis and respiratory illnesses, as well as pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer, based on the analysis of biological samples (such as blood, saliva or urine); and
Industrial applications: the microbiological analysis of food, environments (such as water and air), surfaces and pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, based on the analysis of product or environmental samples.
In 2004, bioMérieux sales reached 930.6 million euros. The company is present in more than 130 countries through 33 subsidiaries and a large network of distributors, which positions the company well to benefit from the growth potential of the in vitro diagnostics market. Some important drivers that underpin this growth are aging populations and age-related illness, illnesses related to life-style and eating habits, emerging new pathogens, the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the fight against bio-terrorism, the recognition of the importance of the quality of food products.
bioMérieux is listed on the Premier Marché of Euronext, Paris (FR0010096479 — BIM).
Source: Genome Express
