Shimadzu and bioMérieux Enter into Partnership for Mass Spectrometry Applications in Microbiology

Shimadzu and bioMérieux announce that they have entered into a partnership to commercialize a mass spectrometry system for bacterial identification in microbiology laboratories. bioMérieux will work with Shimadzu and their subsidiary, Kratos Analytical, to adapt their linear MALDI-TOF* mass spectrometry technology for optimized integration into the microbiology laboratory workflow. This new solution is planned for commercialization by bioMérieux in 2010, together with the microbial database acquired from AnagnosTec.

Shimadzu has developed a broad range of technologies, encompassing analytical and measuring instruments, including liquid chromatographs, mass spectrometers, spectrophotometers and life science instruments, across many fields. The company has a long experience in mass spectrometry, including pioneering work in the development of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry technology.

As the world leader in microbiology, bioMérieux will bring its expertise in infectious diseases and extensive library of microorganisms. The company is constantly expanding its product offering to meet the diverse needs of microbiology labs and this new identification solution will be fully integrated with bioMérieux’s VITEK®, the world’s leading platform for identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST).

“We are very proud to announce our collaboration with bioMérieux, and we expect to make a significant contribution to the field of bacterial identification as a result,” said Osamu Ando, General Manager for Analytical & Measuring Instruments Division at Shimadzu Corporation. “Over the past few years, MALDI-TOF MS has become a key part of our product range, and is driving the expansion of our life science business. This collaboration with bioMérieux represents a new phase in the evolution of our business by expanding it from the research market into diagnostic testing.”

“We are very pleased to be partnering with Shimadzu, a leader in mass spectrometry and innovative technologies,” said Thierry Bernard, Corporate Vice President, Global Commercial Operations at bioMérieux. “By combining Shimadzu’s expertise and our unique understanding of the microbiology laboratory, bioMérieux will be the only company to provide a solution integrating mass spectrometry for bacterial ID with the market’s fastest AST on VITEK® 2. This complete offer, including the new Myla™ middleware, clearly demonstrates bioMérieux’s commitment to enhance productivity in the lab,” he added.