BioMérieux

bioMérieux is a worldwide group founded and headquartered in France and listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange. It is specialized in the field of in vitro diagnostics for medical and industrial sectors. The group designs, develops, and produces a wide range of systems for medicine and industry.

The company
A global company in the field of in vitro diagnostics for over 40 years, bioMérieux provides diagnostic solutions (reagents, instruments, software) which determine the source of disease and contamination to improve patient health and ensure consumer safety. Its products are used for diagnosing infectious diseases and providing high medical value results for cardiovascular emergencies and cancer screening and monitoring. They are also used for detecting microorganisms in agri-food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

bioMérieux is present in more than 150 countries through subsidiaries and a large network of distributors. The company is listed on Euronext Paris with annual revenues of over €1 billion.

Activities

 * Clinical diagnostics : from the detection of pathogenic agents to therapy monitoring

In vitro diagnostics consists of analyzing a biological sample (urine, saliva, blood) to detect the presence of disease-causing agents (bacteria, viruses) or substances secreted by the body in response to the presence of an infectious or cardiovascular disease or a cancer, to determine their characteristics and to quantify them.

The physician's choice of treatment options is therefore highly dependent on the quality of the biological analysis.

Moreover, in vitro diagnostics is also involved in patient therapy monitoring by evaluating responses to treatment (viral load measurement, identification of treatment resistance), making it possible for medical teams to more effectively contribute to therapy monitoring. In vitro diagnostics thus plays a crucial role in the health professional's decision-making process.


 * Industrial microbiology : ensuring the safety and quality of products from the agri-food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries

On the basis of the analysis of a sample (food, air, additive), manufacturers can monitor and continually assess the quality of their entire production process, from raw materials through to the finished product, including the manufacturing environment. This is a major advantage in today's world where consumer demand in relation to health, food and environmental safety increases from day-to-day.

History
The Mérieux family has over 100 years of experience in biology and the development of diagnostic tests. Marcel Mérieux, grandfather to the current President of bioMérieux, Alain Mérieux, first studied biology under Louis Pasteur. In 1897, he founded an analysis laboratory in Lyon that would become the prestigious Institut Mérieux. It was in this laboratory that Marcel Mérieux developed the first antitetanus sera.

In 1937, his son, Dr Charles Mérieux, took up the reins of his father’s laboratory after his death. In the 1940s’, he introduced a technique developed by the Dutchman Frenkel – in vitro culture – which revolutionized the manufacture of vaccines and led to the production of reagents for in vitro diagnostic testing.

In 1963, Alain Mérieux took over the helm of B-D Mérieux, a 50/50 partnership between the Institut Mérieux and Becton-Dickinson, offering a broad range of products for analysis laboratories. When Alain Mérieux acquired the majority share in B-D Mérieux, in1974, the company became bioMérieux.

Over the past 40 years, bioMérieux has developed into a world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics. Its natural strategic focus continues to be the fight against infectious diseases, which remains the driving force behind the company.

Key dates
bioMerieux was founded in 1963 by Christophe Merieux's grandfather, Charles. The family Institute Marcel-Merieux was founded in 1897. It is widely considered a pioneer in industrial vaccines.


 * 1897 : Marcel Mérieux creates the Institut Mérieux, which developed a large range of vaccines and biological products, including reagents. Alain Mérieux was president of the Institut for 25 years, until 1994.


 * 1963 : Creation of BD Mérieux equally owned by Institut Mérieux and Becton Dickinson.


 * 1974 : Alain Mérieux takes majority control of the company: BD Mérieux becomes bioMérieux.


 * 1986 : API Systems acquisition (La Balme, France).


 * 1988 : VITEK acquisition (McDonnel Douglas).


 * 1996 : First research collaboration with Affymetrix.


 * 2001 : Organon Teknika Diagnostic acquisition (Akzo Nobel).


 * 2003 : 40th anniversary. Strategic alliance with Cepheid and IDI.


 * 2004 : Listing of bioMérieux on the Euronext Market (Paris).


 * 2006 : Inauguration of the Christophe Mérieux Center, dedicated to Molecular Biology and Microsystems Research and Development (Grenoble, France).