Meridian Bioscience, Inc. Helicobacter Pylori Patent Validated By Settlement Agreement With Astra S.r.l.

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 12, 2006--Meridian Bioscience, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio (NASDAQ:VIVO - News) today announced that it has executed a settlement agreement with Astra S.r.l. regarding Meridian's patented technology for detecting H. pylori, the primary cause of peptic ulcers. In the agreement, Astra acknowledges the existence, validity and scope of Meridian's patent, EPO 0806667. Astra further agrees to: 1) cease all promotion and distribution of its infringing products, and; 2) for any existing customers, to replace the Astra product with Meridian HpSA products(s).