B·R·A·H·M·S AG and bioMérieux SA sign a Non-exclusive Agreement on the Use of Procalcitonin

Marcy l'Etoile, March 1st, 2005: B·R·A·H·M·S AG and bioMérieux SA have announced the signature of a non-exclusive agreement on the use of Procalcitonin as a diagnostic marker for severe bacterial infections.

Through this global agreement, B·R·A·H·M·S authorizes bioMérieux to develop, produce and market a quantitative Procalcitonin assay test on VIDAS immunoassay systems.

"The new VIDAS BRAHMS Procalcitonin test should complete and create a significant
combined action in our infectious disease range. It is a key stage in the development of our specialized biological management range strategy for emergency departments" states
Benoît Adelus, Executive Vice President of bioMérieux.

Procalcitonin is one of the tools likely to improve the care and treatment of severe bacterial infections (sepsis). Sepsis is a major healthcare problem. In the United States, it is estimated that 750,000 patients are concerned by severe sepsis every year*. The cost of the care for these patients was estimated at almost 17 billion dollars in 2001.

"At the present time, Procalcitonin is routinely used in numerous European Hospitals" states Herbert Sucka, Chief Marketing Officer of B·R·A·H·M·S. "With this agreement we will strongly exceed the global availability of Procalcitonin particularly to hospitals in the USA where we just received the final FDA clearance for our test B·R·A·H·M·S PCT LIA"

*Angus DC, Linde-Zwirble WT, Lidicker J, Clermont G, Carcilio J, Pinsky MR. Epidemiology of severe sepsis in the United States: analysis of incidence, outcome, and associated costs of care. Crit Care Med. 2001;29:1303-1310

About B·R·A·H·M·S
B·R·A·H·M·S is a European biotech research company located in Berlin, Germany. The company researches and produces innovative diagnostic tests for clinical use and markets its products in over 50 countries worldwide. B·R·A·H·M·S holds the international patents for Procalcitonin (PCT) as well as for other innovative products.

About bioMérieux
bioMérieux is a leading international diagnostics group that specializes in the field of in vitro diagnostics for clinical and industrial applications. bioMérieux designs, develops, manufactures and markets systems (i.e.reagents, instruments and software) used in various clinical and industrial applications.