BioMerieux Acquires Microbial Genotyping Technology

bioMerieux has acquired Bacterial Barcodes, Inc. (BBCI). BBCI developed and markets DiversiLab™, a patented system dedicated to the field of automated microbial genotyping, offering solutions to track hospital-acquired infections (HAI) and for environmental control for product safety.

DiversiLab technology is designed to automate the previously cumbersome method of strain typing and allows for better genotypic characterization of bacteria, yeast and molds, which helps identify the source and stop the spread of further infection.

DiversiLab complements bioMerieux's suite of solutions: BacT/ALERT^® 3D, VITEK^® 2, NucliSENS^® and EasyQ^® platforms, as well as the STELLARA^® and OBSERVA^® software applications.

The synergy between DiversiLab and bioMerieux's systems supports clinical decisions that may reduce HAIs and support the prudent usage of antibiotics.

According to Eric Bouvier, bioMerieux, Inc. President and CEO for North American operations, "The addition of this innovative and timely solution to bioMerieux's technology portfolio is perfectly aligned with the company's strategic commitment to focus on infectious diseases, as well as on industrial applications. It will advance bioMerieux's rapid growth in the field of molecular biology."

"We are excited about the opportunity to join the industry leader in the field of infectious disease diagnostics and infection control and we feel positive about the impact our solutions can have in both the healthcare and industrial markets," said Mimi Healy, Ph.D., President and CEO, BBCI.

"The DiversiLab system perfectly complements bioMerieux's technology portfolio, which will help discriminate and track the spread and source of bacterial infections and contamination more quickly, more accurately, and more cost- effectively than other systems on the market today."