bioMérieux, a global leader in in vitro diagnostics, has announced a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of US-based infectious disease diagnostics company Day Zero Diagnostics. This strategic move will strengthen bioMérieux’s expertise in next-generation sequencing (NGS) and rapid diagnostics, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to innovation in healthcare and antimicrobial stewardship.
Day Zero Diagnostics has pioneered a technology platform that combines direct-from-whole-blood sample preparation, genome sequencing, and advanced identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (ID/AST) analytics. Its sequencing-based rapid diagnostic system, currently in development, can identify both the bacterial species and its antibiotic resistance profile directly from patient blood samples within hours—a significant advancement over conventional diagnostic methods, which often require 2 to 5 days to deliver similar results. The acquisition includes Day Zero Diagnostics’ NGS workflows, proprietary chemistries, reagents, as well as its bioinformatics pipeline and software solutions.
“This acquisition allows us to proactively expand our capabilities in next-generation sequencing. Sequencing is a transformative technology that enables hypothesis-free diagnostics, providing faster and more comprehensive insights, which are essential in managing infectious diseases,” said Céline Roger-Dalbert, Executive Vice President, Research & Development at bioMérieux.
By integrating these advanced sequencing technologies into its R&D pipeline, bioMérieux aims to address critical unmet needs in infectious disease diagnostics. The rapid and precise detection capabilities developed by Day Zero Diagnostics will particularly enhance the management of severe infections, including bloodstream infections and sepsis, where timely treatment is crucial for patient survival.
“This acquisition aligns perfectly with bioMérieux’s long-term vision and our mission to continuously advance public health,” stated Pierre Boulud, Chief Executive Officer, bioMérieux. “Once fully developed, these sequencing capabilities will complement our existing infectious disease diagnostic solutions, offering clinicians an advanced tool for rapid, actionable results—especially in life-threatening situations where every minute counts.”
Under the terms of the agreement, bioMérieux will acquire the assets for a total consideration of under USD 25 million. The integration and continued development of these assets will be fully absorbed within bioMérieux’s existing annual R&D budget, which typically represents about 12% of its annual sales, through the redeployment of internal resources. This acquisition not only strengthens bioMérieux’s innovation pipeline but also supports its growth trajectory beyond 2028.