bioMerieux sets up unit in Algeria

French in vitro diagnostics group bioMerieux is to establish a subsidiary in Algeria to be involved in the development of the country's health care infrastructure, the firm announced during the JIB international biologists congress, which this year is honoring Algeria. The company will open in Algiers in early 2008 and strengthen the group's presence in Africa.

bioMerieux says that, under the health sector five-year program, over 100 new health care institutions will be built and opened. The French group, which has another African company based on the Ivory Coast, says that it intends, in particular, to play a part in protecting atients from health care-associated infections.