Marcy l’Étoile, France and Mountain View, California – June 29th, 2021 –
bioMérieux, a world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics, and Specific
Diagnostics, a company bringing unique in vitro diagnostic systems to clinical
microbiology, announce that bioMérieux will distribute Specific Diagnostics’
newly introduced REVEAL Rapid AST system in Europe.
In the context of the global threat from Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), clinicians need
to receive faster antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) results and accurate interpretation,
to enable timely and optimized patient intervention. In bloodstream infections, an
urgent and often life-threatening condition, time is of the essence to deliver targeted
antibiotic treatment: it is crucial to determine what antibiotic to prescribe, at which dose,
for what duration. Making clinical decisions based on rapid AST not only dramatically
improves patient outcomes, but also serves the broader purpose of fighting
Antimicrobial Resistance, to help sustain the efficacy of antibiotics for generations to
come.
A perfect complement to bioMérieux’s suite of systems delivering rapid results
Developed by Specific Diagnostics, and based on its unique, patented metabolomic
signature technology, the REVEAL Rapid AST system provides actionable results for
bloodstream infections (in an average of 5 hours* directly from positive blood culture),
allowing either timely de-escalation to a focused, more appropriate and lower-cost
therapy, or life-saving rapid escalation to a more effective drug where a multi-drugresistant (MDR) infection is present.
REVEAL Rapid AST offers customers an easy to use instrument with a targeted menu,
small footprint, and modular design well-suited for a large number of hospitals.
REVEAL Rapid AST system is a perfect complement to bioMérieux’s unique suite of
systems delivering rapid results including the industry’s fastest blood culture system,
the BACT/ALERT® VIRTUO®, and rapid identification with either VITEK® MS PRIME or
BIOFIRE® BCID2, and VITEK® 2. Adding REVEAL Rapid AST enables hospitals to
have the fastest possible path to fully actionable results, combining ID (microbial
identification) and AST, to allow clinicians to diagnose and treat patients much faster,
establishing a new standard of care.
Mark Miller, Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, bioMérieux
explained: “Partnering with a fast AST solution makes great sense for bioMérieux,
whose mission over decades is to provide diagnostic solutions that support the
best possible patient care. By combining the advanced technology of the REVEAL
Rapid AST solution for bloodstream infections with our own solutions, we are
increasing the ability of laboratories to deliver results in record time, especially in cases
of very critical infections such as sepsis, which require urgent and appropriate
treatment.”
A distribution agreement within a stronger partnership
The co-exclusive distribution agreement signed between both companies will cover
Europe, where the REVEAL Rapid AST has been CE-IVD approved. In addition,
bioMérieux will invest 10M$ thru a Convertible Promissory Note to support commercial
activities. In 2019, bioMérieux participated in Specific Diagnostics’ Series A funding
round, alongside other investors. As a result of this transaction, bioMérieux holds
around 8% of the share capital of Specific Diagnostics.
“We are honored to partner with a world leader as bioMérieux to bring the REVEAL
Rapid AST system to microbiology labs across Europe,” said Paul A. Rhodes, Ph.D.,
CEO of Specific. “Every lab we encounter wants rapid, easy-to-use susceptibility
testing at the right price; we couldn’t reach them all without partnering with an
organization with the scale and quality of bioMérieux.”
Pierre Boulud, Chief Operating Officer, Clinical Operations, bioMérieux declared: “With
the addition of Specific Diagnostics’ REVEAL Rapid AST system into its microbiology
offer, bioMérieux demonstrates its commitment to provide fast AST to clinicians and
laboratories, with the double objective of dramatically improving patient outcomes and
serving antimicrobial stewardship, leveraging our extensive distribution network.”
* Tibbetts et al, ECCMID 2020 and in review.
ABOUT BIOMÉRIEUX’S COMPLETE ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP (AMS) SOLUTION
bioMérieux’s healthcare mission is to help sustain the use of antibiotic efficacy for generations to come. To
support hospitals, institutions and laboratories with their AMS programs, bioMérieux has a complete solution
covering antibiotic therapy initiation, optimization and discontinuation. This constantly evolving offer provides
timely, accurate results to adjust therapy, transforms data into actionable insights and integrates smoothly
into any hospital with its flexible partnership approach. bioMérieux has over 55 years of microbiology
expertise with 80% of its R&D directed to AMR/AMS research to ensure the current offer evolves to meet
customers’ AMS needs.
ABOUT BIOMÉRIEUX
Pioneering Diagnostics
A world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics for over 55 years, bioMérieux is present in 44 countries and
serves more than 160 countries with the support of a large network of distributors. In 2020, revenues
reached €3.1 billion, with over 90% of sales outside of France.
bioMérieux provides diagnostic solutions (systems, reagents, software and services) which determine the
source of disease and contamination to improve patient health and ensure consumer safety. Its products
are mainly used for diagnosing infectious diseases. They are also used for detecting microorganisms in agrifood, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.
bioMérieux is listed on the Euronext Paris stock market.
Symbol: BIM – ISIN Code: FR0013280286
Reuters: BIOX.PA/Bloomberg: BIM.FP
Corporate website: www.biomerieux.com
ABOUT SPECIFIC DIAGNOSTICS
Specific Diagnostics has developed in vitro diagnostic systems based upon a unique, patented metabolomic
signature technology that enables rapid detection and identification of microorganisms as they grow in
culture. Its first commercial application, the REVEAL®, applies this fundamental new capability to the rapid
determination of antimicrobial susceptibility directly from positive blood cultures, as well as isolate dilutions.
Specific is based in Mountain View, CA with operations in the UK, France and Ireland.
Corporate website: www.specificdx.com
