Copan and bioMérieux sign exclusive worldwide distribution agreement

Italian company Copan and French diagnostics group bioMérieux have signed an exclusive worldwide distribution agreement authorising bioMérieux to market, for the pharmaceutical industry, an innovative sample collection system based on technology developed by Copan.

This patented product is believed to be the first swab on the market that can be used to perform a quantitative environmental control. The unique texture of the Nylon flocked swab picks up more microorganisms than conventional swabs.

The swab is protected by a triple sterile packaging designed specifically for aseptic manufacturing facilities. It is intended for pharmaceutical industries that use cleanrooms and controlled environments.

This agreement provides bioMérieux with an important addition to its line of environmental controls, which includes the air IDEAL3P air sampler and a range of ready-to-use media. The swab can be used with bioMérieux culture media plates to provide a quantitative determination of the bioburden in an environment.

The distribution agreement granted by Copan to bioMérieux is exclusive and worldwide. Both companies have also signed an agreement to distribute a Nylon flocked swab for bioMérieux's clinical business.

“Copan's technology is highly complementary to our line of products and allows us to extend our current environmental control solutions to new market segments,” said Stéphane Bancel, chief executive officer of bioMérieux.

Copan is a world leader in the field of research, development and production of innovative systems for the collection and storage of bacteria and viruses for culture and molecular biology. These systems are used in both clinical and industrial activities.