Bioline enters Epigenetics field with launch of new EPIK product range

Bioline, The PCR Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIVO), announces that it has entered the rapidly growing Epigenetics field, with the launch of the first kits in the new EPIK™ product range; EPIK™ Fast Quantification Kit and EPIK™ Amplification Kit.

These EPIK^TM Kits have been developed to meet the needs of researchers employing PCR and real-time PCR analysis in Epigenetics, by delivering significantly increased reliability and sensitivity. Currently the majority of techniques used in Epigenetics have been found to be unreliable and not reproducible. Methylation of DNA is one of the best-studied epigenetic phenomena with bisulfite-modification of DNA considered to be the best method to study DNA methylation patterns. The EPIK™ Kits are based on the highly sensitive, and customer proven, MyTaq™ and SensiFAST™ polymerases together with a novel EPIKORE™ buffer system, formulated to overcome the challenges associated with bisulfite-modified DNA templates. The high-speed, enhanced specificity and outstanding reliability of the EPIK™ Kits makes them perfectly suited to high-throughput epigenetic analysis.

Marco Calzavara, President of Bioline, said, "Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of DNA and can turn genes on or off. Strong links have been identified between Epigenetics, aging and cancer; consequently there is a lot of active research in this rapidly growing field. Our customers have told us that reliability is a major issue in Epigenetic analysis, and with the launch of these new kits, we will bring new levels of reproducibility and sensitivity to this field."

Richard L. Eberly, President of Meridian Life Science, Inc., stated, "We are delighted with the launch of this new product range. Researchers world-wide will now have greater confidence in their results, as they push the boundaries of Epigenetics understanding. The EPIK^TM range is a further demonstration of our commitment to our life science customers and to bringing innovation and quality products to the research laboratory, clinical diagnostic laboratories, and biotechnology companies."