bioMerieux and Biocartis Sign Strategic Partnership in Molecular Diagnostics

MARCY L'ETOILE, France and LAUSANNE, Switzerland, November 4, 2010 -

    - Co-development of Assays and Co-distribution of a Fully Integrated
      Molecular Platform due for Launch in 2012

    - bioMerieux Gains Exclusive Rights in Microbiology

    - bioMerieux Takes Equity Stake in Biocartis

bioMerieux and Biocartis announced today that they have
entered into a strategic agreement to co-develop assays on Biocartis' fully
integrated molecular diagnostics system, which the two companies will
co-distribute starting in 2012. Under the agreement, bioMerieux will have
worldwide exclusive rights to develop and commercialize microbiology assays
on the platform. It will also have access to the platform for certain
oncology and theranostics assays. bioMerieux has taken a EUR9 million equity
stake in Biocartis.

Biocartis has continued to successfully develop its molecular
diagnostics platform, which was acquired from Philips earlier this year. The
platform now fully integrates all the steps of a multiplexed molecular assay,
from sample-in to data-out, in a sealed disposable cartridge, which avoids
any contamination risk. Providing rapid results, the system is able to
perform complex tests on a wide variety of samples, including oncology assays
on tissue. The Biocartis platform does not require molecular biology
experience or infrastructure with highly skilled technicians, and involves
only 1-2 minutes hands-on time. Adapted to both small and large labs, the
platform is fully scalable and allows random access use.

bioMerieux, the world leader in microbiology, will enhance the
Biocartis platform's broad menu with an exclusive line of tests for
healthcare-associated infections and sepsis. bioMerieux also plans to develop
oncology and theranostics assays on the system.

"Our team is developing new diagnostics solutions to bridge
the gap between the increasing availability of multiple, clinically validated
biomarkers and their actual use and deployment in daily clinical practice.
Our system has been designed to provide meaningful results whether care is
provided in small or larger hospitals, or in remote or more developed
settings," said Dr. Rudi Pauwels, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of
Biocartis. "This collaborative agreement is a fundamental step in Biocartis'
strategy for the introduction of our molecular diagnostics platform, and we
are therefore very pleased to partner with bioMerieux, the global leader in
the microbiology field, able to ensure the development of key assays and
broad distribution of our system worldwide."

"Molecular biology is an important technology for
strengthening our global leadership in microbiology and becoming a key
theranostics partner for pharmaceutical companies. By gaining access to such
an innovative, fully integrated platform, bioMerieux achieves a significant
milestone in our growth strategy for the next decade," said Stephane Bancel,
Chief Executive Officer of bioMerieux. "We are extremely pleased to work with
such a talented team, headed by a very successful serial entrepreneur, Dr.
Rudi Pauwels."

Under the terms of the agreement Biocartis will receive
upfront and milestone payments as well as royalties on future sales. In
connection with the equity stake, bioMerieux has the right to designate one
director for election to the board and as a result, Stephane Bancel will
become a Biocartis board member. No further financial details of the
transaction were disclosed.

About Biocartis

Biocartis is a privately owned biotech company that was founded in 2007
by Dr. Rudi Pauwels (Co-founder of Tibotec, Virco and Galapagos Genomics),
Prof. Philippe Renaud (Prof. at EPFL), and Nader Donzel (Co-founder of Scitec
laboratory Automation). Biocartis engages in the development of novel
diagnostics technology platforms for low to highly multiplexed detection of
molecular-based biomarkers. The Company plans to bring to market in 2012 a
versatile and compact molecular diagnostic platform whose ease of use and
operational characteristics will lower the entry barrier to molecular
diagnostic testing. Biocartis is based at the EPFL Science Park in Lausanne,
Switzerland and at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. A new
R&D and manufacturing center is being established in Flanders, Belgium.

The company has raised significant capital since 2009 through a syndicate
of investors that contains some of Europe's most successful biotech
entrepreneurs, including Aescap Venture Management, Advent Venture Partners,
Biovest, and Debiopharm Group, as well as KBC Private Equity and Johnson &
Johnson Development Corporation.

For further information, please visit www.biocartis.com

About bioMerieux

Advancing diagnostics to improve public health

A world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics for over
45 years, bioMerieux is present in more than 150 countries through 39
subsidiaries and a large network of distributors. In 2009, revenues reached
EUR1.223 billion with 85% of sales outside of France. bioMerieux 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 cancer screening and monitoring and
cardiovascular emergencies. They are also used for detecting microorganisms
in agri-food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

bioMerieux is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris market
(Symbol: BIM - ISIN: FR0010096479).

Other information can be found at www.biomerieux.com

    Contacts

    Biocartis

    Biocartis Media Relations
    Citigate Dewe Regerson
    David Dible
    Tel: +44-7967-566-919
    pr@biocartis.com

    bioMerieux

    Investor Relations
    bioMerieux
    Isabelle Tongio
    Tel: +33-4-78-87-22-37
    investor.relations@biomerieux.com

    Media Relations

    bioMerieux
    Koren Wolman-Tardy
    Tel: +33-4-78-87-20-08
    media@biomerieux.com
    kimberly.mays@fleishman.com

    Fleishman-Hillard
    Kimberly Mays
    Tel: +1-216-928-3459

Contacts: Biocartis, Biocartis Media Relations, Citigate Dewe Regerson, David Dible, Tel: +44-7967-566-919, pr at biocartis.com; bioMerieux: Investor Relations, bioMerieux, Isabelle Tongio, Tel: +33-4-78-87-22-37, investor.relations at biomerieux.com, Media Relations: bioMerieux, Koren Wolman-Tardy, Tel: +33-4-78-87-20-08, media at biomerieux.com, kimberly.mays at fleishman.com; Fleishman-Hillard, Kimberly Mays, Tel: +1-216-928-3459