Innovative ID/AST System to Help Diagnose Infectious Diseases and Combat AMR

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 20 Mar 2025

Image: bioMérieux has received FDA 510(k) Clearance for its VITEK® COMPACT PRO (Photo courtesy of bioMérieux)

Each year, 11 million people across the world die of sepsis out of which 1.3 million deaths are due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to weigh heavily, complicating the detection of resistant pathogens. There is a need for clinicians to get accurate identification and faster antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) results, thereby enabling timely and appropriate patient intervention. Now, an innovative system for microorganism identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) can benefit clinical laboratories to help diagnose infectious diseases and combat AMR.

bioMérieux’s (Marcy l'Etoile, France) VITEK® COMPACT PRO combines the latest diagnostic technology with the globally acknowledged advantages of its predecessor: VITEK® 2 COMPACT. With an ergonomically advanced design and a simplified workflow, it further enhances the user experience and improves overall efficiency as the laboratory technician has to spend less time for sample loading and processing. It offers one of the most efficient workflows, fastest routine ID/AST results and microbiology expertise for accurate and confident diagnostics insights.

Ideally suited for small and medium-sized laboratories, VITEK® COMPACT PRO also enables laboratories transitioning from manual workflows to benefit from automation efficiencies. bioMérieux has now received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for VITEK® COMPACT PRO. The commercial launch of VITEK® COMPACT PRO is initially planned in select countries, followed by a global launch starting in the second quarter of 2025.

"For decades, bioMérieux has been an industry leader in microbiology innovation. With the introduction of VITEK® COMPACT PRO, we are continuing this journey and delivering on the specialized needs of our customers – supporting laboratories with simplified, efficient workflows and the latest technology to optimize their experience," said Jennifer Zinn, Executive Vice President, Clinical Operations. “Through ongoing expansion of our VITEK® solutions portfolio, bioMérieux continues to strengthen our comprehensive AMR/AMS offer and reinforce our commitment to provide next-generation ID/AST systems to healthcare and laboratory professionals around the world.”

"As a leader in the fight against AMR, bioMérieux continuously innovates by developing and renewing its key diagnostic solutions," added Céline Roger-Dalbert, Executive Vice President, Research and Development. “VITEK® COMPACT PRO delivers fast, accurate and reproducible results comparable to VITEK® 2 and VITEK® 2 COMPACT systems. The ergonomic features, a new intuitive user interface, and an updated software with one of the most comprehensive knowledge database makes VITEK® COMPACT PRO highly appealing to both clinical and industrial laboratories.”