BioMérieux EpiSeq

BioMérieux has launched EpiSeq, a next-generation sequencing service for epidemiological monitoring and control of healthcare-associated infections.

EpiSeq is the first result of a collaboration signed between BioMérieux and Illumina in November 2014 to couple the companies' expertise in microbiology and NGS for microbiology sequencing. Customers of the new service will be able to send bacterial isolates to a service laboratory designated by BioMérieux and equipped with an Illumina MiSeq instrument. The genomic data is stored in a secure cloud platform and analyzed using a database and software developed by BioMérieux. Results showing the genomic profile of the infectious agent and the genetic variations identified by sequencing will be sent by BioMérieux to healthcare professionals in a customized report.

BioMérieux is launching the service first in Europe followed by North America and Asia. The menu will initially consist of Staphylococcus aureus and will subsequently be expanded to include other bacterial species most commonly responsible for HAIs.