First Partner Assay on the BD MAX™ System Launches in Europe

- New, Fully Automated Diagenode Respiratory FLU A/B Assay Validated for Use on the BD MAX™ System

BALTIMORE and LIEGE, Belgium, Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- BD Diagnostics, a segment of global medical technology company BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), and Diagenode SA, an international biotech company based in Belgium, announced today the European-only launch of the Diagenode Respiratory FLU A/B primers and probes kit for use on the BD MAX™ System. The Diagenode Respiratory FLU A/B primers and probes kit has been CE-marked and validated to run on the BD MAX™ System using the BD MAX™ RNA Extraction kit RNA-3 open system reagent, providing customers with a fully automated system that standardizes the extraction process and offers ease-of-use and improved laboratory workflow.

"As the first partner assay validated for use on the BD MAX System, the launch of the Diagenode Respiratory FLU A/B kit demonstrates the flexibility and versatility of the BD MAX System and open system reagents in facilitating the rapid development of molecular testing assays," said Gregory Meehan, Vice President, Product Planning, BD Diagnostics – Diagnostic Systems.

Through collaborations with leading in vitro diagnostic (IVD) developers such as Diagenode, BD plans to expand the molecular testing menu by offering clinically relevant, IVD assays across a number of disease syndromes. "The Diagenode FLU A/B assay is the first of several assays we are planning to launch as fully validated, CE-marked products on the BD MAX System. What is unique about the BD MAX System versus other platforms is the ability to leverage the open system capability of the instrument throughout the validation process," stated Didier Allaer, CEO of Diagenode.

The expanding BD MAX System menu and open capability, full automation and standardized workflow, will enable laboratories to consolidate and standardize a broad range of molecular tests to build programs that can meet both their current and future clinical needs.

About BD

BD is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. The Company is dedicated to improving people's health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. BD's capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world's most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs approximately 29,000 associates in more than 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. For more information, please visit http://www.bd.com/.

About Diagenode

Diagenode (http://www.diagenodediagnostics.com/) is a leading developer and marketer of innovative life-science tools and systems for epigenetics and molecular diagnostics. Diagenode is developing novel products for the infectious disease diagnostic market, but is also providing a complete solution for epigenetics research. Diagenode's customers include leading epigenetics researchers, academic institutions, molecular diagnostics, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Diagenode's products provide customers with the best quality and performance and allow scientists to produce consistent, cost-effective and robust results.