bioMérieux launches cutting-edge equine
infectious respiratory disease testing
With VETFIRE™, bioMérieux enters the veterinary PCR market with an equine dedicated panel

Marcy-l’Étoile, France – June 3rd, 2025,– bioMérieux, a world leader in the field of
in vitro diagnostics, today announced the launch of VETFIRE™, a ready-to-use
PCR kit that makes testing for equine infectious respiratory diseases easier and
faster.

Providing highly accurate results in less than 20 minutes, bioMérieux’s latest cutting-
edge diagnostic test, called VETFIRE™, leverages advanced PCR technology,
renowned for its high sensitivity and reliability, to provide a complete solution for the
simultaneous detection of seven infectious respiratory pathogens in horses1.

David Smart, Global Veterinary Business Developer at bioMérieux, says: “This new
diagnostic test is a landmark moment in equine healthcare. By providing rapid and
accurate results, this simple test, which uses a nasopharyngeal swab, empowers
veterinarians to make informed decisions about treatment and management, improving
overall animal health.”

Respiratory pathogens are one of the biggest day-to-day concerns for equine
veterinarians. The impact of infectious respiratory outbreaks is still front of mind following
the 2019 equine influenza epidemic in Europe, which caused disruption to equestrian
events in Britain, including the brief cancellation of horseracing in February, and
interruption to many equine gatherings later in the year – notwithstanding the equine
welfare impact arising from clinical disease. The economic impact of such an outbreak
can be devastating, as was seen in Australia in 2007, when a widespread equine
influenza outbreak had a A$1 billion impact on the industry.

Against this backdrop, VETFIRE™ can be used in a range of scenarios, including:

• Facilitating the better management of equine health where there are suspicions
of respiratory infections, due to the test’s ability to quickly identify causative
agents and support informed decisions around when animals should be isolated
or treated.
• Mitigating the impact of an outbreak of a respiratory disease within a contained
area e.g. in a training yard or wider area. The simplicity and speed of the test
means that suspected outbreaks can be managed much more effectively, with
positive cases identified at speed to allow for quarantine measures to prevent the
spread of diseases.
• Overtime, it could become part of the standard testing processes ahead of horses
travelling domestically or internationally for competition, ensuring they are
healthy and fit to compete.

Crucially, bioMérieux’s new PCR-based test not only identifies the presence of infectious
respiratory diseases but can inform the course of treatment – with the test detecting if an
infection is caused by one of six viruses and/or a strain of bacteria. Playing an important
role in antibiotic stewardship, the test’s capability to distinguish between viral and

1Equine Herpesvirus type 1, Equine Herpesvirus type 4, Influenza A, Equine Rhinovirus A, Equine Rhinovirus B,
Equine Adenovirus 1, Streptococcus equi equi
bacterial infections is hugely important for ensuring antibiotics are used appropriately
when required to reduce the risk of resistance.

Pierre Rouppert, Global VETFIRE™ Product Manager, commented: “bioMérieux
draws on more than 60 years of innovation in the field of infectious diseases to bring the
same level of expertise to veterinary diagnostics as it does to human health – and we
are excited about the opportunities offered by the veterinary market to extend the
footprint of our VETFIRE™ technology.”

The VETFIRE™ test is performed on the BIOFIRE® SPOTFIRE® System, the latest
advancement in molecular infectious disease diagnostics from bioMérieux for Point-of-
Care testing. The cutting-edge equine infectious respiratory disease test is commercially
available in United Kingdom, Ireland and France, with possible expansion plans to other
countries in the near future.

-Ends-

ABOUT BIOMÉRIEUX
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 2024, revenues reached
€4 billion, with over 93% 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
Reuters: BIOX.PA/Bloomberg: BIM.FP


CONTACTS

INVESTORS RELATIONS
bioMérieux
Aymeric Fichet
Tel: +33 (0)4 78 87 20 00
investor.relations@biomerieux.com

MEDIA RELATIONS
bioMérieux Ireland & United Kingdom
Romain Duchez Enda Joyce (Hanover)
Tel: +33 (0)4 78 87 20 00 Tel: +44 (0)7980 916 827
media@biomerieux.com ejoyce@hanovercomms.com