Sartorius Stedim Biotech and BD Diagnostics Strengthen Cooperation in the Area of Microbiological Diagnostics

-- Expansion of Product Portfolio for Microbiological Analyses in the Lab

GOETTINGEN, Germany and BALTIMORE, Oct. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB), a leading international pharma and biotech supplier, and BD Diagnostics, a segment of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, today announced a collaboration to develop, manufacture and market various  ready-to-use, prefilled media products for microbiological applications in pharmaceutical, biotech and research laboratories.

"Through our agreement with BD, we have created an excellent collaboration. BD is known worldwide for its expertise in manufacturing and filling of microbial media. BD's expertise combined with Sartorius Stedim Biotech's know-how in polymeric technologies and applications will help us further extend our expert capabilities in the field of microbiological monitoring," says Dominique Baly, member of the Sartorius Group Executive Committee.

Based on its many years of expertise in the development of membranes, SSB offers high-quality, single-use filter products for concentration of microbial contaminants in the lab. As part of this strategic collaboration, BD will fill special SSB single-use products with BD culture media and supply these to SSB as prepackaged products.  In addition, the companies are exploring options of extending their existing business relationship by pursuing further innovative solutions in the field of microbiological diagnostics.

"The products we plan to develop under our agreement with Sartorius Stedim Biotech will enhance laboratory efficiencies for our pharmaceutical, biotech and research customers with these unique product offerings," said Bob Ferguson, Vice President and General Manager, BD Diagnostics – Diagnostic Systems, Industrial Microbiology.  "By combining Sartorius Stedim Biotech's bioprocessing and filtration expertise with BD's microbiological media capabilities, customers will benefit from improved lab productivity and standardization of sample processing."

About Sartorius Stedim Biotech
Sartorius Stedim Biotech is a leading provider of cutting-edge equipment and services for the development, quality assurance and production processes of the biopharmaceutical industry. Its integrated solutions covering fermentation, cell cultivation, filtration, purification, fluid management and lab technologies are supporting the biopharmaceutical industry around the world to develop and produce drugs safely, timely and economically. Sartorius Stedim Biotech focuses on single-use technologies and value-added services to meet the rapidly changing technology requirements of the industry it serves. Strongly rooted in the scientific community and closely allied with customers and technology partners, the company is dedicated to its philosophy of "turning science into solutions."

Headquartered in Aubagne, France, Sartorius Stedim Biotech is listed on the Eurolist of Euronext Paris. With its own manufacturing and R&D sites in Europe, North America and Asia and a global network of sales companies, Sartorius Stedim Biotech enjoys a worldwide presence. Its key manufacturing and R&D site is in Germany. The company employs approx. 3,000 people, and in 2012 earned sales revenue of 544 million euros. www.sartorius.com.

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 nearly 30,000 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.

Contact SSB 
Karin Kleist 
Group Corporate Communications 
+49 (0)551 308 3615 
karin.kleist@sartorius.com

Contact BD 
Jamie Yacco 
Public Relations 
+1 (201) 847-4796 
Jamie_Yacco@bd.com