bioMérieux Introduces GENE-UP^® PRO GENDER ID and GENE-UP^® PRO HOP LATENT VIROID (HLVd) Solutions 

Comprehensive Diagnostic Testing Solution Portfolio Helps Protect Crops, Time and Profits from Seed to Sale

CHICAGO – March 07, 2023 –  bioMérieux, a world leader in in vitro diagnostics for 60 years, is pleased to announce the availability of GENE-UP PRO GENDER ID and GENE-UP PRO HOP LATENT VIROID (HLVd) quality control solutions. The addition of these offerings strengthens the company’s comprehensive portfolio of cannabis microbial testing solutions to provide enhanced control of the cannabis cultivation process risk, creating efficiencies and boosting the bottom line from seed to sale. Thanks to rapid detection with a simple workflow, both solutions empower cultivators to act on infected plants to safeguard the health of crops to maximize yield output.

Early detection of gender in a crop is essential to safeguard female plants from propagation, as male cannabis plants pose risks to potential yield and oil production of female plants, possibly devaluing an entire cultivation crop. bioMérieux’s newly available GENE-UP PRO GENDER ID provides early detection and enhanced gender results from cannabis plants as early as 1-2 weeks old, through a 6-minute sample prep. The rapid gender identification solution provides a universal workflow designed for both fresh and dried cannabis, as well as hemp products, minimizing hands on time to save resources and space to build operational efficiency and increase profitability. 

bioMérieux designed the newly available GENE-UP PRO HLVd test to address this most devastating plant pathogen in the cannabis industry – Hop Latent Viroid. An estimated 25-30% of cultivated cannabis crops are infected with this viroid, negatively impacting profitability for nurseries and cultivators.  The kits feature a simple process with rapid, accurate results to facilitate timely decisions to help protect the cultivation and its profitability.  

The GENE-UP PRO GENDER ID and GENE-UP PRO HLVd tests join bioMérieux’s overall cannabis and hemp pathogen and quality indicator testing solutions portfolio which also includes offerings for Aspergillus, STEC/Salmonella, Listeria, S. aureus and E. coli.  The company continues to meet the needs of cannabis cultivators, in-house testing and regulatory compliance to future-proof operations and enable confidence in the cultivation process from seed to sale. 

“bioMérieux is proud to be a longstanding partner of the cannabis community; steadfast in our commitment to provide cannabis microbial testing solutions to minimize risks at every stage of cultivation and processing while simultaneously championing human health and safety,” said Maria McIntyre, Head of Cannabis Operations, bioMérieux. “Plant health is a critical element of the cannabis supply chain, as preharvest and postharvest pathogens can destroy entire crops resulting in a loss of great profits and time. As the cannabis industry expands and cannabis products increase, the industry must invest in reliable and steadfast testing infrastructure to meet the rising demands through sound scientific solutions.”

The GENE-UP PRO GENDER ID and GENE-UP PRO HLVd solutions are fueled by bioMérieux’s xPRO program – an innovation engine within bioMérieux partnering directly with industry leaders to rapidly develop, validate, and commercialize innovative molecular assays to respond to emerging needs and provide solutions for new markets enhancing their overall quality programs. 

GENE-UP PRO GENDER ID and GENE-UP PRO HLVd are now available for implementation. For more information on bioMérieux’s comprehensive portfolio of cannabis and hemp pathogen and quality indicator testing solutions, please visit https://go.biomerieux.com/us-cannabis.  

Pioneering Diagnostics

A world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics since 1963, bioMérieux is present in 45 countries and serves more than 160 countries with the support of a large network of distributors. In 2021, revenues reached €3.4 billion, with over 90% of sales outside of France.

bioMérieux provides diagnostic solutions (systems, reagents, software and services) which determine the source of disease and contamination to improve patient health and ensure consumer safety. Its products are mainly used for diagnosing infectious diseases. They are also used for detecting microorganisms in agri-food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. www.biomerieux.com

bioMérieux is listed on the Euronext Paris stock market. 

Symbol: BIM – ISIN Code: FR0013280286

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