BD and Diagenode Collaborate to Expand Infectious Disease Menu on the BD MAX™ System

BALTIMORE and LIEGE, Belgium, May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BD Diagnostics, a segment of global medical technology company BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), and Diagenode SA, an international biotech company based in Belgium, announced today an agreement to co-develop seven initial molecular diagnostic assays on the BD MAX™ System for pathogens associated with respiratory, enteric and central nervous system diseases.  

"Our agreement with Diagenode represents the first milestone in BD's strategy to make BD MAX System an indispensible clinical laboratory tool that empowers laboratory professionals to provide rapid, accurate test results to clinicians needing the best information to make critical treatment decisions," said Tom Polen, President of BD Diagnostics - Diagnostic Systems.  "By collaborating with leading IVD developers, such as Diagenode, we intend to build a growing, content-rich menu of clinically relevant assays that will allow laboratories to meet ever-changing clinical needs."

Under this agreement, Diagenode will begin developing seven initial CE-marked assays for the BD MAX System, using its open system capability.  These initial assays will include a respiratory panel for diagnosing respiratory infections, two panels for diagnosing virus- and parasite-based gastrointestinal infections and a panel for differentially diagnosing meningitis.  BD plans to fully integrate these in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays onto the BD MAX platform and ultimately assume responsibility for manufacturing and commercializing the tests globally.

"We are pleased that BD is leveraging our expertise in infectious disease diagnostics. The versatility of BD MAX will enable us to readily adapt our assays on a fully automated molecular platform," said Didier Allaer, CEO of Diagenode.

According to Polen, BD plans to bring new assays to the BD MAX System in a broad range of disease categories.  The BD MAX System's content-rich 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 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 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.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements (as defined under Federal securities laws) regarding BD's performance, including future product development. . Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "plan", "intend" or words of similar meaning in conjunction with statements of future performance. All such statements are based upon current expectations of BD and involve a number of business risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from anticipated results described, implied or projected in any forward-looking statement. With respect to forward-looking statements contained herein, a number of factors could cause actual results to vary materially from any forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to:  difficulties inherent in product development and delays in product introductions; the possibility that BD may not be able to enter into product development agreements on satisfactory terms; the unknown consequences of the recently-enacted healthcare reform in the United States, including potential reduced demand for BD's products; adverse changes in regional, national or foreign economic conditions, including any impact that may result from the current global economic situation on BD's ability to access credit markets and finance its operations, the demand for BD's products and services, or its suppliers' ability to provide products needed for BD's operations; competitive factors; pricing and market share pressures; increases in energy costs and their effect on, among other things, the cost of producing BD's products; fluctuations in costs and availability of raw materials and in BD's ability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and relationships; new or changing laws impacting BD's business or changes in enforcement practices with respect to such laws; and future healthcare reform, including changes in government pricing and reimbursement policies or other cost containment reforms. BD does not intend to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof except as required by applicable laws or regulations.

SOURCE BD-Becton Dickinson