8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

________________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 27, 2020

Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Ohio	000-14902	31-0888197
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

3471 RIVER HILLS DRIVE CINCINNATI, Ohio	45244
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (513) 271-3700

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, no par value	VIVO	NASDAQ Global Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act □

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On January 27, 2020, Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that certain diagnostic companies and laboratories located in China have engaged the Company to use the Company’s Lyo-Ready 1-Step RT-qPCR Mix to develop screening assays for the detection of the coronavirus, currently named 2019-nCoV (the “Coronavirus”), which has and is continuing to spread throughout China and other parts of the world.  A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated by reference herein.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this are “forward-looking” statements made within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “ensure,” “expect,” “if,” “intend,” “estimate,” “probable,” “project,” “forecasts,” “predict,” “outlook,” “aim,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “potential,” “may,” “might,” “anticipate,” “likely,” “plan,” “positioned,” “strategy,” and similar expressions, and the negative thereof, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. In addition, forward-looking statements may also be adversely affected by general market factors, competitive product development, product availability, federal and state regulations and legislation, the regulatory process for new products and indications, manufacturing issues that may arise, patent positions and litigation, among other factors. The forward-looking statements contained in this communication may become outdated over time. The Company does not assume any responsibility for updating any forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in the Company’s filings with the SEC and available through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering and Analysis Retrieval system at www.sec.gov, including the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof.

Item 8.01.  Other Events.

As described in Item 7.01 of this Form 8-K, on January 27, 2020, the Company issued a press release announcing that certain diagnostic companies and laboratories located in China have engaged the Company to use the Company’s Lyo-Ready 1-Step RT-qPCR Mix to develop screening assays for the detection of the Coronavirus.

The information in each of Item 7.01 and Item 8.01 of this Form 8-K and in the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section. The information in each of Item 7.01 and Item 8.01 of this Form 8-K and each of Exhibit 99.1 shall not be incorporated by reference in any filing (whether made before or after the date hereof) or any other document under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in any such filing or document.

Item 9.01     Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)	Exhibits
99.1	Press Release dated January 27, 2020

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE, INC.
Date:  January 27, 2020	By: /s/ Jack Kenny
	Jack Kenny Chief Executive Officer

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

For Immediate Release

Meridian Bioscience Lyo-Ready 1-Step RT-qPCR Mix is Used in the Development of Molecular Diagnostics for New Coronavirus Outbreak

CINCINNATI, January 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: VIVO) today announced a novel coronavirus, identified by Chinese authorities on January 7 and currently named 2019-nCoV, is a new strain that had not been previously identified in humans. The outbreak started on the Chinese city of Wuhan, 56 people have already died and more than 2,000 confirmed infected. This new virus has already spread to other parts of mainland China and several other countries and health authorities around the world are taking action to prevent a global epidemic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided interim guidance to laboratories and stakeholders involved in laboratory testing of patients who meet the definition of suspected case of pneumonia associated with 2019-nCoV. Sequence information from the 2019-nCoV has recently been made available and diagnostic companies and laboratories in China have turned to Meridian’s Lyo-Ready 1-Step RT-qPCR Mix to develop fast and accurate screening assays.  Meridian’s manufacturing team is working diligently to meet the supply of critical reagents for the detection of Coronavirus and fast response to the outbreak.

Dr. Liang Zhang, General Manager for Meridian in China, commented, “The advantage of the Meridian Lyo-Ready 1-Step RT-qPCR Mix is that the assay can be set up and freeze-dried, so that they are highly stable, just requiring the patient sample to be added and the assay run. This means that patients can be screened very quickly to help stop the spread of this virus.  We are pleased to have a reagent that works so well and makes economic sense for Coronavirus diagnostics during these times of great urgency.”

Dr. Steve Hawkins, Product Marketing Manager added. “Over the last few days we have seen significant demand for our Lyo-Ready One-Step RT-qPCR Mix. This ready-to-use, lyophilization-friendly mix is designed to improve the accuracy of assays, increase operational efficiencies and reduce their overall costs, making screening fast and affordable, upholding our commit to bringing innovation and quality products to the IVD community, especially in times of need.”

For complete information, please visit meridianlifescience.com/molecular-dx-reagents.

About Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

Meridian is a fully integrated life science company that develops, manufactures, markets and distributes a broad range of innovative diagnostic products. We are dedicated to developing and delivering better solutions that give answers with speed, accuracy and simplicity that are redefining the possibilities of life from discovery to diagnosis. Through discovery and development, we provide critical life science raw materials used in immunological and molecular tests for human, animal, plant, and environmental applications. Through diagnosis, we provide diagnostic solutions in areas including gastrointestinal and upper respiratory infections and blood lead level testing.  We build relationships and provide solutions to hospitals, reference laboratories, research centers, veterinary testing centers, physician offices, diagnostics manufacturers, and biotech companies in more than 70 countries around the world.

Meridian’s shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, symbol VIVO. Meridian’s website address is www.meridianbioscience.com.

Contact:

Jack Kenny

Chief Executive Officer

Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

Phone:  513.271.3700

Email: mbi@meridianbioscience.com

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XML

Document and Entity Information	Jan. 27, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jan. 27, 2020
Entity Registrant Name	Meridian Bioscience, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	OH
Entity File Number	000-14902
Entity Tax Identification Number	31-0888197
Entity Address, Address Line One	3471 RIVER HILLS DRIVE
Entity Address, City or Town	CINCINNATI
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	45244
City Area Code	513
Local Phone Number	271-3700
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000794172
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, no par value
Trading Symbol	VIVO
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ