Philips and bioMérieux Announce Milestone in the Development of Innovative Handheld Diagnostic Solutions for Rapid Point-of-Care Testing

Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) and bioMérieux (NYSE Euronext Paris: BIM) today announced that they have successfully achieved an important milestone in the development of fully-automated handheld rapid diagnostic test solutions for use in hospitals at the point-of-care – i.e. close to a patient’s bedside. This milestone comprises the successful integration of bioMérieux’s assay technology and Philips’ Magnotech rapid diagnostic testing technology into a disposable cartridge and handheld reader combination that achieves the speed, sensitivity and precision required for point-of-care testing. In time-critical situations, such as those encountered in emergency departments, coronary units and intensive care units, rapid diagnostic testing close to patients has the potential to improve patient outcomes and clinical workflows.

This important achievement has been realized within a year of the two companies signing a joint development agreement in January 2010 to develop handheld diagnostic solutions, and means that both companies will now push forward with the development program. Philips will now further develop its prototype handheld reader into a fully-engineered rugged unit, while bioMérieux will continue the assay development. In addition, Philips will set up manufacturing facilities to be ready to produce the disposable cartridges for the 2013 commercial launch of the new solution.

Among others, one important target application for the Philips/bioMérieux technology is the measurement of cardiac Troponin-I levels in blood to assist in the rapid diagnosis of myocardial infarction. Troponin-I is typically found at elevated levels in patients who have suffered a heart attack. However, it is only present in the patient’s blood in picomolar concentrations. In the past, detecting these extremely low concentrations has required costly time-consuming laboratory-based testing. Philips’ and bioMérieux’s success represents one of the first point-of-care multi-assay solutions with the potential to achieve lab quality performance.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs 119,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 25.4 billion in 2010, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

About bioMérieux

Advancing Diagnostics to Improve Public Health

A world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics for over 45 years, bioMérieux is present in more than 150 countries through 39 subsidiaries and a large network of distributors. In 2010, revenues reached €1.357 billion with 87% of sales outside of France.

bioMérieux provides diagnostic solutions (reagents, instruments, software) which determine the source of disease and contamination to improve patient health and ensure consumer safety. Its 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. bioMérieux is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris market (Symbol: BIM – ISIN: FR0010096479). Other information can be found at www.biomerieux.com

For further information, please contact:

Hans Driessen
Philips Handheld Diagnostics
Mob: +31 (0)610610417
E-mail: hans.driessen@philips.com

Koren Wolman-Tardy
bioMérieux
Mob: +33 (0)6 13 94 51 14
E-mail: media@biomerieux.com