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Business Summary
bioMerieux is a worldwide group specialized in the field
of in vitro diagnostics for clinical and industrial
applications. We design, develop, manufacture and market
systems used in:
-Clinical Applications: the diagnosis of infectious
illnesses and pathologies, based on the analysis of
biological samples (such as blood, saliva or urine);
and
-Industrial Applications: the microbiological analysis
of food, environments (such as water and air), surfaces
and pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, based on the
analysis of product or environmental samples.
In 2003, our consolidated revenues were €915 million.
History
The foundation of our business is the historical expertise
of the Mérieux family in biology, which dates
back to 1897, when Marcel Mérieux created the
Institut Mérieux in France. bioMérieux
was created in 1963 by Alain Mérieux.
Our Business
Our business in the clinical segment focuses on diagnosis
of infectious diseases and complex pathologies, such
as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. In the industrial
segment, our business focuses on the monitoring of microbiological
quality of food products, environments (water, air),
surfaces and sterile products from the agribusiness,
pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
We are active in the diagnosis of cardiovascular pathologies
(including thromboses), which accounted for the majority
of our 2003 revenues earned on these major pathologies.
The haemostasis methods we developed have their principal
application in this segment. In the area of immunoassays,
we developed and market the high value-added D-Dimer
test, which is the industry standard for the detection
of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
We are also developing our products for cancer detection,
using in particular our molecular biology technology.
We are developing tests that could, through study of
the human genome, allow the detection of predisposition
to certain cancers (in particular breast cancer), permit
their diagnosis, aid the selection of treatment (molecular
testing of tumors and patient for advance knowledge
of their reaction to the different treatments available),
follow the progress of treatment and monitor the disease
when treatment is complete.
Research and Development
Innovation, a key growth driver
-120 million spent in Research and Development in 2003
and 11 million euros in up-front fees within the framework
of the licensing agreements signed with Cepheid and
IDI
-850 employees dedicated to research
-9 research centers
-specific know-how : bacteriology, immunoassays, molecular
biology and hemostasis, instrumentation, software.
Our worldwide presence
We are present in over 130 countries, through 33 subsidiaries
and a large network of distributors. In 2003, we earned
56% of our consolidated revenues in Europe, including
19% in France, and we earned 28% in North America.
We first set up in Asia in 1988. bioMérieux is
present in Japan, China, Korea, Thailand and Australia.
Two production plants for culture media are based in
this region, in Saitama, Japan and in Brisbane, Australia.
bioMérieux now employs 330 people in the Asia-Pacific
region.
Our presence in China dates back to 1991 with offices
now opened in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhu,
Taïpei… In 2005, bioMérieux China
as well as bioMérieux Asia Pacific headquarters
will be transferred to Shanghai. bioMérieux is
also present in most of the Asian countries via distributors.
Sustainable development
Our company develops, uses and maintains its facilities
in such a way as to control their impact on the environment
(water, air, noise, energy, waste, pollution). Our company
has regular audits of its facilities within the legal
and compulsory framework and is committed to implement
the necessary resources to resolve any deviation.
bioMérieux is also convinced that each employee
can actively contribute to the improvement of safety
and environment and encourages them to propose appropriate
ideas and actions.
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