Meridian Bioscience, Inc. Launches New TRU Brand Test For The Detection Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae In Urine And CSF

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: VIVO) today announces that it has received the CE Mark for its new test for Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumo). TRU STREP PNEUMO^™ is a rapid, qualitative immunoassay for the detection of S. pneumo antigen in urine and CSF and will be distributed in the EMEA regions by Meridian Bioscience Europe and in additional international markets by the Company’s global distribution network.

S. pneumo is the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with over 100,000,000 cases reported annually worldwide. It is responsible for 30%-50% of adult CAP cases requiring hospitalization in United States and Europe. S. pneumo is also associated with invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) like meningitis and bacteremia, which can have up to a 30% mortality rate.

Mike Shaughnessy, Executive Vice President and President of Meridian Global Diagnostics, said “Strep pneumo is a common cause of pneumonia that results in a variety of mild to severe disease outcomes. The new TRU STREP PNEUMO^™ test is an important tool that enables laboratories to accurately detect the majority of CAP infections. TRU STREP PNEUMO^™, in combination with our already available TRU LEGIONELLA^®, enhances our portfolio of products that focus on respiratory diseases.”

The TRU platform offers rapid, accurate results in a safe, closed system format. In comparison to culture, the TRU STREP PNEUMO^™ test provides accurate, same day results that allow physicians to treat with the appropriate antibiotic in a timely manner, improving patient outcomes and decreasing healthcare costs.

Meridian is a fully integrated life science company that develops, manufactures, markets and distributes a broad range of innovative diagnostic test kits, purified reagents and related products and offers biopharmaceutical enabling technologies. Utilizing a variety of methods, these products and diagnostic tests provide accuracy, simplicity and speed in the early diagnosis and treatment of common medical conditions, such as gastrointestinal, viral and respiratory infections. Meridian’s diagnostic products are used outside of the human body and require little or no special equipment. The Company's 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, serology, parasitology and fungal disease diagnosis. In addition, Meridian is a supplier of rare reagents, specialty biologicals and related technologies used by biopharmaceutical companies engaged in research for new drugs and vaccines. The Company markets its products and technologies to hospitals, reference laboratories, research centers, diagnostics manufacturers and biotech companies in more than 60 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.