(Source: Business Wire)Meridian Bioscience, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio (NASDAQ: VIVO) announced today that Meridian Bioscience Europe srl, Milan, Italy has signed an agreement with BÃ"HLMANN Laboratories AG, Schönenbuch, Switzerland for distribution in Italy of an innovative test for inflammatory conditions of the intestine, Quantum Blue® Calprotectin. The test which detects calprotectin, a GI inflammatory marker, is a fundamental tool in differentiating between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Patients suffering from IBS do not have increased faecal calprotectin values. Faecal calprotectin concentrations, as measured by the BÃ"HLMANN Calprotectin assay, are significantly elevated in patients with IBD and correlate well with endoscopic an histological assessment of disease activity. Over two million patients in Europe suffer from IBD, and it is estimated that IBS affects more than 30 million Europeans. This novel and simple test will avoid unnecessary colon endoscopies for Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's disease and will minimize discomfort while offering substantial savings for patients and health systems.

Antonio Interno, President of Meridian Bioscience Europe, commented: "The BÃ"HLMANN Calprotectin test fits very well in Meridian's gastroenteric product range providing another key technology for our lab customers. Preliminary customer interest and sales indicate that the BÃ"HLMANN Calprotectin test will contribute to FY2010 revenues in Italy. We are also discussing the extension of the distribution agreement to the French market."

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