BMD announces new ISO 9001 certification

Marne-la-Vallée (France), April 24, 2003 -- BMD, European specialist in advanced diagnostics, announces today that its commercial division has met ISO 9001:2000 standards for quality management. This certification is an addition to the quality management assurance already obtained by BMD's Research, Development and Manufacturing Department. BMD views the certification as confirmation that the company's activities as a whole measure up to ISO quality requirements. It represents an important guarantee for BMD's customers and partners, and is a significant move forward in the company's development.

The ISO 9001:2000 certification of BMD's commercial division gives the company a significant competitive advantage over other key players in the advanced diagnostics market, particularly in the field of autoimmunity. It will also strengthen BMD's position in the international market and will open up new market opportunities, particularly in the United States.

BMD views ISO certification as an important part of its development plan, which has been accelerating since 2001. BMD's development goals led the company to implement a number of high-performance management tools in 2002 including Sage CS/3, the management and information system, and Novacial, a CRM solution. The systems ensure BMD's customers access information of consistently high quality from the moment an order is placed until the product is delivered, including full traceability.

BMD's Research, Development and Manufacturing Department has already obtained ISO 9001:2000 certification and EN 13485:2001.

"Our customers include medical analysis laboratories where work is focused on early screening of diseases and treatment analysis," said Daniel Pierron, CEO of BMD. "We feel we have a real responsibility to our customers in providing them with first class products and excellent service. We want our customers - and their patients - to feel reassured by what BMD offers. We are delighted with the complete ISO 9001 certification. It reflects the business policy that is practiced at all levels in the company."

About BMD:
BMD (Biomedical Diagnostics) develops and markets advanced biological diagnostic tools for the medical professions. The company boasts a unique combination of experience, knowledge and understanding of the biological diagnostics field. Founded in 1986, the company initially concentrated on building a profitable product distribution business. Increasing knowledge and understanding of the market led the company to establish research and development activities of its own, and today BMD offers its own products to the medical sector. BMD now holds a leading position in the diagnostics market, offering a wide range of solutions in the fields of autoimmune diseases, allergies, and infectious diseases. BMD also offers immunochemical tests for diagnosing heart failure and other coronary problems. As well as the development of its own products, BMD is involved in the manufacture of products for other international distributors. BMD owns three European subsidiaries in Germany, Italy and Spain and a network of fifteen distributors across Europe, in North Africa and in Asia.

Miina Salminen

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