Sysmex and bioMérieux Form a Global Partnership

This synergistic partnership between two major players in the in vitro diagnostic market brings together Sysmex’s recognized expertise in diagnostic analyzers and bioMérieux’s leadership position in microbiology.

Current urinary screening methods, mainly based on microscope cell numeration, are still very manual, time-consuming and the source of errors. Sysmex has developed the fluorescence flow cytometry UF-1000i urinalysis system, a highly standardized and automated solution. bioMérieux will provide its extensive customer base with this new technology and leverage its expertise and reputation in microbiology to expand the market. Commercialization by bioMérieux will start in Europe in September 2007 and be followed by the U.S. and other countries at the beginning of 2008.

“We are delighted with this very promising partnership with Sysmex, which will allow us to bring the gold standard for urinary screening to our customers”, said Mr. Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of bioMérieux. “Sysmex’s UF-1000i perfectly complements our current offer. With this system and the forthcoming plate streaker instrument, bioMérieux has added two important pieces to the microbiology lab automation process since announcing its 2012 strategy last January”, he added.

“The collaboration with bioMérieux will allow us to leverage our proven technology of particle analysis to tap into a new market segment and fuel further growth of our core business”, stated Mr. Hisashi Ietsugu, President of Sysmex Corporation. ”This agreement complements our existing partnerships for distributing the UF instrument series for use in other IVD segments.”

About Sysmex

Sysmex Corporation, based in Kobe, Japan, is a world leader in clinical laboratory testing of blood, urine and other specimens, providing instruments and reagents for clinical laboratory testing as well as laboratory information systems as part of a comprehensive service and support system. Founded in 1968 as a company specializing in hematology, Sysmex Corporation has expanded to offer a comprehensive range of diagnostics products and solutions in the diagnostics field including coagulation, biochemistry, immunochemistry, urinalysis and other disciplines. The company is also actively involved in developing technologies and expertise to expand related areas of business such as point-of-care testing systems to enable faster diagnoses, centralized test data management for improved testing efficiency, and the establishment of local healthcare networks to link hospitals and clinics. Sysmex is developing new core technologies to address disease prevention and early cancer detection. In addition to clinical laboratory testing, the companies’ core technologies are being applied to industry, sports, and other new business fields. Recognized among the top 10 diagnostics leaders, Sysmex Corporation is listed in Tokyo Stock Exchange, First Section and the Osaka Securities Exchange, First Section (Ticker Code: 6869). For more information about Sysmex, please visit our website at www.sysmex.com.

About bioMérieux

Advancing Diagnostics to Improve Public Health
A world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics for over 40 years, bioMérieux is present in more than 150 countries through 35 subsidiaries and a large network of distributors. In 2006, revenues reached €1.037 billion with 83% of sales outside of France.

bioMérieux provides diagnostic solutions (reagents, instruments, software) which determine the source of disease and contamination to improve patient health and ensure consumer safety. Our products are used for diagnosing infectious diseases and providing high medical value results for cardiovascular emergencies and cancer screening and monitoring. They are also used for detecting microorganisms in agri-food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. bioMérieux is listed on Eurolist by Euronext. Other information can be found at http://www.biomerieux.com/.

Contacts Sysmex
Yasumasa Yamauchi
Tel: +81-78-265-0508
info@sysmex.co.jp

Contacts bioMérieux
Investor Relations
bioMérieux
Hervé Laurent
Tel: + 33 4 78 87 22 37
mailto:investor.relations@eu.biomerieux.com

Media Relations
bioMérieux
Koren Wolman-Tardy
Tel: + 33 4 78 87 20 08
media@eu.biomerieux.com

LT Value
Nancy Levain
Tel: + 33 55 27 15 88
nancy.levain@ltvalue.com

Image Sept
Laurence Heilbronn
Tel: + 33 1 53 70 74 64
lheilbronn@image7.fr

Estelle Guillot-Tantay
Tel: + 33 1 53 70 74 93
egt@image7.fr