Edgar Filing: MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE INC

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10-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

x	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013.

¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO

Commission File No. 0-14902

MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE, INC.

3471 River Hills Drive

Cincinnati, Ohio 45244

IRS Employer ID No. 31-0888197

Incorporated under the Laws of Ohio

Phone: (513) 271-3700

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class		Name of each exchange of which registered
Common Shares, No Par Value		The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
		(NASDAQ Global Select Market)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES x NO ¨

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act. YES ¨ NO x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES x NO ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this Chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. YES ¨ NO x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). YES ¨ NO x

The aggregate market value of Common Shares held by non-affiliates as of March 31, 2013 was $926,647,632 based on a closing sale price of $22.82 per share on March 31, 2013. As of October 31, 2013, 41,518,049 no par value Common Shares were issued and outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Portions of the Registrant’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 furnished to the Commission pursuant to Rule 14a-3(b) are incorporated by reference in Part II as specified and portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement to be filed with the Commission for its 2014 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting are incorporated by reference in Part III as specified.

MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE, INC.

INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT

ON FORM 10-K


		Page
Part I

Item 1	Business		4
Item 1A	Risk Factors		14
Item 1B	Unresolved Staff Comments		22
Item 2	Properties		22
Item 3	Legal Proceedings		23
Item 4	Mine Safety Disclosures		23

Part II

Item 5	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
	Securities		23
Item 6	Selected Financial Data		24
Item 7	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		24
Item 7A	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk		42
Item 8	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data		43
Item 9	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure		73
Item 9A	Controls and Procedures		73
Item 9B	Other Information		73

Part III

Item 10	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance		74
Item 11	Executive Compensation		74
Item 12	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters		74
Item 13	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence		74
Item 14	Principal Accounting Fees and Services		74

Item 15	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules		75

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor from civil litigation for forward-looking statements accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements. Except for historical information, this report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which may be identified by words such as “estimates”, “anticipates”, “projects”, “plans”, “seeks”, “may”, “will”, “expects”, “intends”, “believes”, “should” and similar expressions or the negative versions thereof and which also may be identified by their context. Such statements, whether expressed or implied, are based upon current expectations of the Company and speak only as of the date made. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized. These statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, without limitation, the following: Meridian’s continued growth depends, in part, on its ability to introduce into the marketplace enhancements of existing products or new products that incorporate technological advances, meet customer requirements and respond to products developed by Meridian’s competition, and its ability to effectively sell such products. While Meridian has introduced a number of internally developed products, there can be no assurance that it will be successful in the future in introducing such products on a timely basis. Meridian relies on proprietary, patented and licensed technologies, and the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights, as well as the potential for intellectual property litigation, would impact its results. Ongoing consolidations of reference laboratories and formation of multi-hospital alliances may cause adverse changes to pricing and distribution. Recessionary pressures on the economy and the markets in which our customers operate, as well as adverse trends in buying patterns from customers can change expected results. Costs and difficulties in complying with laws and regulations, including those administered by the United States Food and Drug Administration, can result in unanticipated expenses and delays and interruptions to the sale of new and existing products. The international scope of Meridian’s operations, including changes in the relative strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar and general economic conditions in foreign countries, can impact results and make them difficult to predict. One of Meridian’s growth strategies is the acquisition of companies and product lines. There can be no assurance that additional acquisitions will be consummated or that, if consummated, will be successful and the acquired businesses will be successfully integrated into Meridian’s operations. There may be risks that acquisitions may disrupt operations and may pose potential difficulties in employee retention and there may be additional risks with respect to Meridian’s ability to recognize the benefits of acquisitions, including potential synergies and cost savings or the failure of acquisitions to achieve their plans and objectives. The Company cannot predict the possible impact of recently-enacted United States healthcare legislation and any similar initiatives in other countries on its results of operations. In addition to the factors described in this paragraph, Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors contains a list and description of uncertainties, risks and other matters that may affect the Company.

PART I.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes forward-looking statements about our business and results of operations that are subject to risks and uncertainties. See “Forward Looking Statements” above. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those discussed in Item 1A. Risk Factors. In addition to the risk factors discussed herein, we are also subject to additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial. If any of these risks and uncertainties develop into actual events, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.

Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “Meridian,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or “our company” refer to Meridian Bioscience, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

In the discussion that follows, all dollars and shares are in thousands (both tables and text), except per share data.

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

Overview

Meridian is a fully-integrated life science company with principal businesses in (i) the development, manufacture, sale and distribution of diagnostic test kits, primarily for certain gastrointestinal, viral, respiratory and parasitic infectious diseases; (ii) the manufacture and distribution of bulk antigens, antibodies, PCR/qPCR reagents, nucleotides, competent cells and bioresearch reagents used by researchers and other diagnostic manufacturers; and (iii) the contract development and manufacture of proteins and other biologicals under cGMP conditions for use by biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies engaged in research for new drugs and vaccines. The company was incorporated in Ohio in 1976. Our principal corporate offices are located near Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

Our website is www.meridianbioscience.com. We make available our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments thereto, free of charge through this website, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material has been electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These reports may also be read and copied at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549, phone number 1-800-732-0330. The SEC maintains an internet site containing these filings and other information regarding Meridian at www.sec.gov. The information on our website is not and should not be considered part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Reportable Segments

Our reportable segments are Diagnostics and Life Science. The Diagnostics segment consists of manufacturing operations in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the sale and distribution of diagnostic test kits in the U.S. and Canada (“North America”); Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”); and other countries outside of North America and EMEA (rest of the world, or “ROW”). The Life Science segment consists of manufacturing operations in Memphis, Tennessee; Boca Raton, Florida; London, England; Luckenwalde, Germany; and Sydney, Australia, and the sale and distribution of bulk antigens, antibodies, PCR/qPCR reagents, nucleotides, competent cells and bioresearch reagents domestically and abroad, including a sales and business development location in Singapore. The Life Science segment also includes the contract development and manufacture of cGMP clinical grade proteins and other biologicals for use by biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies engaged in research for new drugs and vaccines. Financial information for Meridian’s reportable segments is included in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.

Diagnostics Segment

Overview of Products and Markets

Our primary source of revenues continues to be diagnostic products, with our Diagnostics segment providing 77% of consolidated net sales for fiscal 2013. Third-party sales for this segment were $145,000, $130,000 and $120,000 for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, reflecting a three-year compound annual growth rate of 8%. As of September 30, 2013, our Diagnostics segment had approximately 360 employees in six countries.

Our diagnostic products provide accuracy, simplicity and speed; enable early diagnosis and treatment of common, acute medical conditions; and provide for better patient outcomes at reduced costs. We target diagnostics for disease states that (i) are acute conditions where rapid diagnosis impacts patient outcomes; (ii) have opportunistic demographic and disease profiles; (iii) are underserved by current diagnostic products; and (iv) have difficult sample handling requirements (stool, blood, urine and other body fluids). This approach has allowed us to establish significant market share in our target disease states.

Our diagnostic products span a broad menu of testing platforms and technologies, and also include transport media that store and preserve specimen samples from patient collection to laboratory testing. Our testing platforms include:

•

Isothermal DNA Amplification (illumigene^® brand) – high sensitivity, molecular platform that is suitable for virtually any size laboratory, whether centralized or decentralized; provides flexibility to process from 1 to 10 tests per run in generally under one hour; and requires no batching of samples.

•

Enzyme Immunoassay (TRU^®, ImmunoCard^® and ImmunoCard STAT!^® brands) – single-use immunoassays that can be used in point-of-care settings; these tests have fast turnaround times (generally under 20 minutes); and can reduce expensive send-outs for hospitals and outpatient clinics.

•

Enzyme-linked Immunoassay (Premier^® brand) – batch immunoassay platform that can process up to 96 tests per run; is highly accurate and economical; and is adaptable to automation.

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Our diagnostic products are used principally in the detection of infectious diseases caused by various bacteria, viruses, parasites and pathogens. Our focus product families in Diagnostics are C. difficile (antibiotic-associated diarrhea from a hospital-acquired infection), foodborne (Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and Campylobacter jejuni (Campy)), and H. pylori (stomach ulcers). Sales within our focus product families – C. difficile, foodborne and H. pylori – accounted for 62%, 62% and 59% of our Diagnostics segment’s third-party sales during fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These same product families accounted for 47%, 47% and 44% of consolidated net sales in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Our product portfolio, over 140 diagnostic tests and transport media, extends beyond our focus families, reaching into prenatal care (Group B Streptococcus), respiratory (Group A Streptococcus, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, among others), and organ transplant infections (Cytomegalovirus), among other infectious disease areas. The primary markets and customers for our products are acute care hospitals, reference laboratories and outpatient clinics in over 60 countries around the world.

We continue to invest in new product development for our molecular testing platform, illumigene^®. This platform now has four commercialized tests (assays), with three additional tests expected to be available for sale in fiscal 2014:

illumigene^® C. difficile – commercialized in August 2010

illumigene^® Group B Streptococcus (Group B Strep or GBS) – commercialized in December 2011

illumigene^® Group A Streptococcus (Group A Strep) – commercialized in September 2012

illumigene^® Mycoplasma (M. pneumonia; walking pneumonia) – commercialized in June 2013

illumigene^® Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough) – expected first half fiscal 2014

illumigene^® Chlamydia trachomatis – expected second half fiscal 2014

illumigene^® Neisseria gonorrhea – expected second half fiscal 2014

Additional illumigene tests in early-stage research or development include Herpes Simplex Virus I & II, enteric parasites such as Giardia, foodborne pathogens such as E. coli, and bloodborne pathogens such as malaria.

We believe that our illumigene system has been well-accepted in our global markets. We currently have approximately 1,200 customer account placements. Of these account placements, approximately 1,000 accounts have completed evaluations and validations and are regularly purchasing product, with the remaining account placements being in some stage of product evaluation and/or validation. Of our account placements, we have over 190 accounts that are multi-assay users.

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Market Trends

The global market for infectious disease tests continues to expand as new disease states are identified, new therapies become available, and worldwide standards of living and access to health care improve. More importantly, within this market, there is a continuing shift from conventional testing, which requires highly trained personnel and lengthy turnaround times for test results, to more technologically advanced testing, which can be performed by less highly trained personnel and completed in minutes or hours.

The increasing global pressures to contain total health care costs have accelerated the increased use of diagnostic testing. With rapid and accurate diagnoses of infectious diseases, physicians can pinpoint appropriate therapies quickly, leading to faster recovery, shorter hospital stays and lower overall treatment cost. The creation of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in our U.S. market, in particular, has the goal of increasing efficiency of healthcare delivery, reducing spending and improving clinical outcomes. We believe our product portfolio positions us competitively with ACOs and healthcare systems that are transitioning from fee-for-service compensation models, to compensation models based on the total outcome costs of a given patient. Our C. difficile, Group B Streptococcus, Group A Streptococcus, and H. pylori products are all examples of how a highly accurate diagnostic test on the front-end can mitigate or reduce down-stream costs for antibiotic use, symptom-relieving drugs and hospital stays.

We also continue to see aggregation of buying power in our U.S. market via multi-hospital group purchasing organizations and integrated delivery networks, consolidation among reference laboratories, and acquisition of physician practices by hospitals. We utilize multi-year supply agreements to secure our business where possible and appropriate.

Cost containment pressures have also affected healthcare systems outside the U.S., particularly in Europe, where the healthcare systems are generally government-run. The level of government budget deficits can have an adverse effect on the amount of government healthcare spend. We have seen this in Italy, for example.

Sales, Marketing and Focus Product Families

Our Diagnostics segment’s sales and distribution network consists of the following for each of the broad geographic regions we serve:

North America

In North America, our sales and distribution network consists of a direct sales force (U.S. only) complemented by independent distributors. The use of independent distributors in the U.S. allows our products to reach any size healthcare facility and also provides our customers the option to purchase our products direct or through distribution along with other supplies. Two independent distributors in the U.S. accounted for 10% or more of consolidated net sales in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011: Cardinal Healthcare Corporation and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Our sales to Cardinal were approximately $35,000, $33,000 and $30,000 during fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Our sales to Fisher were approximately $25,000, $20,000 and $18,000 during fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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EMEA

In EMEA, our sales and distribution network consists of direct sales forces in Belgium, France, Holland and Italy, and independent distributors in other European countries, Africa and the Middle East. We maintain a distribution center near Milan, Italy.

ROW

With the exception of Australia, in which we utilize a direct sales force, we utilize independent distributors throughout the ROW.

Our Diagnostics segment’s focus product families are described below:

C. difficile

C. difficile, a serious hospital acquired bacterial infection, is our largest product family, generating approximately $39,000 in global sales for fiscal 2013, or 8% growth from fiscal 2012 – reflecting a combination of sales of our molecular-based and traditional immunoassay products. This product family has experienced significant competition in recent years from new technologies, including molecular testing platforms. See Competition discussion below.

Foodborne

Our foodborne product family achieved approximately $24,000 in global sales for fiscal 2013, or growth of 15%, with over 95% of such sales occurring in the U.S. Our foodborne products include tests for Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and Campylobacter jejuni (Campy). In the U.S. market, we believe that there are potentially 20 million stool cultures that are tested annually for foodborne illnesses. At present, we believe that we have less than a 20% market share for EHEC and less than a 5% market share for Campy.

The primary competition for our foodborne products is laboratory culture methods. We believe that our products have two principal advantages versus culture methods. The first principal advantage is test accuracy. Independent evaluations have shown our products to have higher sensitivity than culture methods. The second principal advantage is improved work flow of the testing process, resulting in significantly shortened time to test result. Our single-use rapid products provide a test result in approximately 20 minutes, whereas culture results can take up to 24-48 hours. Time to test result can be a critical factor in the physician’s choice of therapies, as the mortality rate for EHEC is estimated to be 5% to 10%.

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Helicobacter pylori

H. pylori, a bacterium found in the stomach, is a major cause of peptic ulcers and is linked to duodenal ulcers and stomach cancer. H. pylori represents our second largest product family, generating approximately $26,000 in global sales for 2013, or 11% growth. We offer both antibody and direct antigen tests in alternative formats (single-use and high volume batch). Our major competition in this product family is test-method alternatives, serology and urea breath, and the prescription of symptom-relieving medications. Over 70% of our H. pylori product sales are in the U.S., where our strategy for this product line has been to partner with managed care companies to promote the health and economic benefits of a test and treat strategy, and to move physician behavior away from serology-based testing toward direct antigen testing. In the U.S. market, we believe that there are potentially 30 million people suffering from peptic ulcers and we believe that we currently have a 5% market share.

Competition

Our major competitors in molecular diagnostics are Cepheid and Becton Dickinson, who have systems with multiple-assay menus. We also face competition in molecular diagnostics, but to a lesser degree, from companies such as Great Basin, Nanosphere and Quidel. These latter companies have a limited commercial menu and tend to compete strictly on price. We believe that our molecular platform offers a number of competitive features:

•

Molecular assay sensitivity that is comparable to higher costing PCR;

•

Low capital investment with no instrument service cost;

•

Small footprint that is portable and does not consume much laboratory space; and

•

Product menu that fits with initiatives to improve clinical and economic outcomes.

Our major competitors in rapid immunoassay diagnostics are primarily Alere and Quidel. These companies tend to compete strictly on price. We believe that the breadth and depth of our product portfolio provides us with a competitive advantage. For C. difficile, we believe that we are the only company able to offer a full line of FDA-approved immunoassay (GDH and Toxin) and molecular products, allowing the customer to choose the solution that best suits them.

Research and Development

Our Diagnostics segment’s research and development organization, which is located at our corporate headquarters in Newtown, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati, has expertise in biochemistry, immunology, mycology, bacteriology, virology, parasitology and molecular biology. Research and development expenses for the Diagnostics segment for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 were approximately $8,000, $8,000 and $7,000, respectively. This research and development organization focuses its activities on new product and new technology development, new applications for our existing technologies, and improvements to existing products. Research and development efforts may occur in-house or with collaborative partners. We believe that new product development is a key source for sustaining revenue growth. The products within our illumigene molecular platform and H. pylori product family were developed solely in-house.

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Manufacturing

Our immunoassay and molecular products require the production of highly specific and sensitive antigens, antibodies, primers and enzymes. While we produce substantially all of our own requirements including monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, and a variety of fungal, bacterial and viral antigens, currently a number of the raw materials used in our products, including our illumigene molecular products, are purchased from outside vendors. We believe that we have, or can build, sufficient manufacturing and sourcing capacity for anticipated growth over the next several years.

Intellectual Property, Patents and Licenses

We own or license U.S. and foreign patents, most of which are for products manufactured by our Diagnostics segment. Sales of these products are as follows:


Product/Technology Family	Number of products		% of consolidated sales
			2013			2012
*illumi*gene		4		18	%		14	%
H. pylori		2		13	%		13	%
Respiratory		3		3	%		2	%
Other		6		1	%		1	%

Total patented products		15		35	%		30	%

The patents for the illumigene products expire between 2020 and 2022; the patents for the two H. pylori products expire between 2016 and 2017; and the patents for the three respiratory products expire in 2022 (two products) and 2027. The remaining six patented products for which we own or license patents are spread over three product families.

In the absence of patent protection, we may be vulnerable to competitors who successfully replicate our production and manufacturing technologies and processes. Our employees are required to execute confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements designed to protect our proprietary products.

Government Regulation

Our diagnostic products are regulated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as “devices” pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). Under the FDCA, medical devices are classified into one of three classes (i.e., Class I, II or III). Class I and II devices are not expressly approved by the FDA, but, instead, are “cleared” for marketing. Class III devices generally must receive “pre-market approval” from the FDA as to safety and effectiveness.

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Each of the diagnostic products currently marketed by us in the United States has been cleared by the FDA pursuant to the 510(k) clearance process or is exempt from such requirements. We believe that most, but not all, products under development will be classified as Class I or II medical devices and, in the case of Class II devices, will be eligible for 510(k) clearance; however, we can make no assurances in this regard.

Sales of our diagnostic products in foreign countries are subject to foreign government regulation, largely similar to that of the FDA.

Meridian’s Cincinnati manufacturing facility is certified to ISO 13485:2012.

Medical Device Tax

On January 1, 2013, the medical device tax established as part of the U.S. healthcare reform legislation became effective and as a result, the Company made its first required tax deposit near the end of January 2013. During fiscal 2013, the Company recorded to cost of sales approximately $1,300 of medical device tax expense related to this legislation.

Seasonal Factors and Sporadic Outbreaks

Our principal business is the sale of a broad range of diagnostic test kits for common gastrointestinal, viral, upper respiratory and parasitic infectious diseases. Certain infectious diseases may be seasonal in nature, while others may be associated with sporadic outbreaks, such as foodborne illnesses, or pandemics such as the H1N1 influenza outbreak during fiscal 2009. While we believe that the breadth of our diagnostic product lines reduces the risk that infections subject to seasonality and sporadic outbreaks will cause significant variability in diagnostic revenues, we can make no assurance that revenues will not be impacted period over period by such factors.

Life Science Segment

Overview of Products and Markets

Our Life Science segment’s business focuses on the development, manufacture, sale and distribution of bulk antigens, antibodies, PCR/qPCR reagents, nucleotides, competent cells and bioresearch reagents used by researchers and other diagnostic manufacturing companies, as well as contract development and manufacturing services under clinical cGMP conditions. Third-party sales for this segment were approximately $44,000, $43,000 and $38,000 for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, our Life Science segment had approximately 190 employees in five countries.

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Most of the revenue for our Life Science segment currently comes from the manufacture, sale and distribution of bulk antigens, antibodies, PCR/qPCR reagents, nucleotides, competent cells and bioresearch reagents used by researchers and other diagnostic manufacturing companies focused on the development of immunoassay and molecular tests. Approximately 60% of Life Science revenues are generated from the industrial market, defined as diagnostic manufacturers and the agriculture industry. This is an increasing focus for our Bioline molecular component business, which historically focused on the academic/research market that comprises the remaining 40% of revenues. We utilize direct sales teams in key countries such as the U.S., the UK, Germany, France, Australia and Singapore, where we recently opened a sales and business development office. This new office is designed to increase our presence and our revenue opportunities in Asia for both molecular and immunoassay components. We utilize a network of distributors in other major countries. During fiscal 2013, 17% of third-party sales for this segment were to two diagnostic manufacturing customers. For one of these two customers, we have exclusive supply agreements that have annual automatic renewal provisions. We have a long-standing relationship with this customer; and although there can be no assurances, we intend to renew these supply agreements in the normal course of business.

Products such as antibodies, antigens and reagents are marketed primarily to diagnostic manufacturing customers as a source of raw materials for their immunoassay products, or as an outsourced step in their manufacturing processes. For example, Meridian Life Science supplies a number of major diagnostic manufacturers with proteins used to detect Hepatitis A and Rubella. These products are typically sold in bulk quantities, and may also be custom-designed for a particular manufacturer’s requirements. Sales efforts are focused on multi-year supply arrangements in order to provide stability in volumes and pricing. We believe this benefits both us and our customers.

Molecular biology products such as PCR/qPCR reagents, nucleotides and competent cells are marketed to academic/research and industrial customers. These products are used in measuring DNA and RNA in clinical and agricultural applications. These reagents improve the purity, yield and speed of PCR reactions. Products such as MyTaq^™ and SensiFAST^™ are examples of this type of PCR/qPCR reagent.

Our clinical cGMP protein production facility in Memphis, Tennessee serves as an enabling technology for process development and large-scale manufacturing for biologicals used in new drugs and vaccines. The size of the facility is intended to accommodate manufacturing requirements for Phase I and Phase II clinical trials for biopharmaceutical, biotechnology and government agency customers. Our revenues for contract services were approximately $3,000, $2,000 and $3,000 in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Market Trends

Throughout the market, sales of molecular components are growing at a faster pace than immunoassay components, and this is where we are experiencing growth. Geographic expansion is a significant strategy for our Life Science segment, along with further penetration into industrial markets with our molecular products.

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Competition

The market for bulk biomedical reagents is highly competitive. Important competitive factors include product quality, price, customer service and reputation. We face competitors, many of which have greater financial, research and development, sales and marketing, and manufacturing resources, and where sole-source supply arrangements do not exist. From time to time, customers may choose to manufacture their biomedical reagents in-house rather than purchase from outside vendors such as Meridian.

The academic/research market is highly fragmented. Individual purchases are typically of small quantities. The breadth of product offerings, quality, price and service, including on-line capabilities and technical resources, are important factors to building customer loyalty and repeat purchases.

The market for contract manufacturing in a validated cGMP facility, such as our Memphis facility, is also competitive. Important competitive factors include reputation, customer service and price. Although the product application for this facility was built from our existing expertise in cell culture manufacturing techniques, we face competitors with greater experience in contract manufacturing in a clinical cGMP environment.

Research and Development

Research and development expenses for our Life Science segment for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 were approximately $3,000, $2,000 and $3,000, respectively. This research and development organization is heavily involved in vaccine development and production activities for our cGMP facility and development of new molecular products.

Manufacturing and Government Regulation

The Meridian Life Science facilities are ISO 9001:2008 certified, and where appropriate, comply with Regulation EC 1069:2009.

The cGMP clinical grade proteins that are produced in our Memphis facility are intended to be used as “injectibles,” and, as such, they are produced under cGMP Regulations for Biologics and Human Drugs under the auspices of the FDA. Following clinical trials, approval and licensing of these products is the responsibility of the applicant, who owns the rights to each protein. Typically, the customer is the applicant, not Meridian Life Science.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions have played an important role in the growth of our businesses. Our acquisition objectives include, among other things, (i) enhancing product offerings; (ii) improving product distribution capabilities; (iii) providing access to new markets; and/or (iv) providing access to key biologicals or new technologies that lead to new products. Although we cannot provide any assurance that we will consummate any additional acquisitions in the future, nor can we provide any assurance that any acquisitions will accomplish these objectives, we expect that the potential for acquisitions will continue to provide opportunities for revenues and earnings growth in the future.

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International Markets

International markets are an important source of revenue and future growth opportunities for both of our segments. For both segments combined, sales made to customers located outside of North America approximated $54,000 or 29% of consolidated fiscal 2013 sales, $53,000 or 31% of consolidated fiscal 2012 sales and $53,000 or 33% of consolidated fiscal 2011 sales. We expect to continue to look to international markets as a source of new revenues and growth in the future.

Environmental

We are a conditionally exempt, small quantity generator of hazardous waste and have a U.S. EPA identification number. We are in compliance with applicable portions of the federal and state hazardous waste regulations and have never been a party to any environmental proceeding.

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the following factors, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, cash flows or future results. Any one of these factors could cause our actual results to vary materially from recent results or from anticipated future results. The risks described below are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

Risks Affecting Growth and Profitability of our Business

We may be unable to develop new products and services or acquire products and services on favorable terms.

The medical diagnostic and life science industries are characterized by ongoing technological developments and changing customer requirements. As such, our results of operations and continued growth depend, in part, on our ability in a timely manner to develop or acquire rights to, and successfully introduce into the marketplace, enhancements of existing products and services or new products and services that incorporate technological advances, meet customer requirements and respond to products developed by our competition. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be successful in developing or acquiring such rights to products and services on a timely basis, or that such products and services will adequately address the changing needs of the marketplace, either of which could adversely affect our results of operations.

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In addition, we must regularly allocate considerable resources to research and development of new products, services and technologies. The research and development process generally takes a significant amount of time from design stage to product launch. This process is conducted in various stages. During each stage, there is a risk that we will not achieve our goals on a timely basis, or at all, and we may have to abandon a product in which we have invested substantial resources.

We may be unable to successfully integrate operations or to achieve expected cost savings from acquisitions we make.

One of our growth strategies is the acquisition of companies and/or products. Although additional acquisitions of companies and products may enhance the opportunity to increase net earnings over time, such acquisitions could result in greater administrative burdens, increased exposure to the uncertainties inherent in marketing new products and financial risks of additional operating costs. The principal benefits expected to result from any acquisitions we make will not be achieved fully unless we are able to successfully integrate the operations of the acquired entities with our operations and realize the anticipated synergies, cost savings and growth opportunities from integrating these businesses into our existing businesses. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to identify and complete additional acquisitions on terms we consider favorable or that, if completed, will be successfully integrated into our operations.

Revenues for our Diagnostics segment may be impacted by our reliance upon two key distributors in North America, seasonal factors and sporadic outbreaks, and changing diagnostic market conditions.

Key Distributors

Our Diagnostic segment’s sales through two U.S. distributors were 42% and 41%, respectively, of the Diagnostics segment’s total sales for fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, or 32% and 31%, respectively, of our consolidated sales for fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012. These parties distribute our products and other laboratory products to end-user customers. The loss of either of these distributors could negatively impact our sales and results of operations unless suitable alternatives were timely found or lost sales to one distributor were absorbed by another distributor. Finding a suitable alternative on satisfactory terms may pose challenges in our industry’s competitive environment. As an alternative, we could expand our efforts to distribute and market our products directly. This alternative, however, would require substantial investment in additional sales, marketing and logistics resources, including hiring additional sales and customer service personnel, which would significantly increase our future selling, general and administrative expenses but would not necessarily result in lower net income levels.

In addition, buying patterns of these two distributors may fluctuate from quarter to quarter, potentially leading to uneven concentration levels on a quarterly basis.

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Seasonal Factors and Sporadic Outbreaks

Our principal business is the sale of a broad range of diagnostic test kits for common gastrointestinal, viral, upper respiratory and parasitic infectious diseases. Certain infectious diseases may be seasonal in nature, while others may be associated with sporadic outbreaks, such as foodborne illnesses, or pandemics such as H1N1 influenza. While we believe that the breadth of our diagnostic product lines reduces the risk that infections subject to seasonality and sporadic outbreaks will cause significant variability in diagnostic revenues, we can make no assurance that revenues will not be negatively impacted period over period by such factors.

Changing Diagnostic Market Conditions

Changes in the U.S. healthcare delivery system have resulted in consolidation among reference laboratories and the formation of multi-hospital alliances, reducing the number of institutional customers for diagnostic test products. Consolidation in the U.S. healthcare industry has also led to the creation of group purchasing organizations (GPOs) and integrated delivery networks (IDNs) that aggregate buying power for hospital groups and put pressure on our selling prices. Due to such consolidation, we may not be able to enter into and/or sustain contractual or other marketing or distribution arrangements on a satisfactory commercial basis with institutional customers, GPOs and IDNs, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

We could be adversely affected by healthcare reform legislation.

Third-party payers for medical products and services, including state, federal and foreign governments, are increasingly concerned about escalating health care costs and can indirectly affect the pricing or the relative attractiveness of our products by regulating the maximum amount of reimbursement they will provide for diagnostic testing services. Following years of increasing pressure, during 2010 the U.S. government enacted comprehensive healthcare reform. At present, given the early stages of the enacted reform, we are unable to predict what effect the legislation might ultimately have on reimbursement rates for our products. If reimbursement amounts for diagnostic testing services are decreased in the future, such decreases may reduce the amount that will be reimbursed to hospitals or physicians for such services and consequently could place constraints on the levels of overall pricing, which could have a material effect on our sales and/or results of operations.

In addition, on January 1, 2013, the medical device tax established as part of the U.S. healthcare reform legislation became effective and as a result, the Company made its first required tax deposit near the end of January 2013. During fiscal 2013, the Company recorded approximately $1,300 of medical device tax expense, which is reflected as a component of cost of sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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Revenues for our Life Science segment may be impacted by customer concentrations and buying patterns.

Our Life Science segment’s sales of purified antigens and reagents to two diagnostics manufacturing customers were 17% and 19%, respectively, of the Life Science segment’s total sales for fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, or 4% and 5%, respectively, of our consolidated sales for fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012. For one of these two customers, we have exclusive supply agreements that have annual, automatic renewal provisions. Although we have a long-standing relationship with this customer, we cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to renew these supply agreements, which could adversely affect our sales and results of operations. However, inclusion of our antigens and reagents in 510(k)-cleared products does, by nature of the related regulatory process, make them difficult to replace.

Our Life Science segment has four other significant customers who purchase antigens, antibodies and reagents, which together comprised 8% and 9%, respectively, of the segment’s total sales for fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012. Any significant alteration of buying patterns from these customers could adversely affect our period over period sales and results of operations.

Revenues relating to research, development and manufacturing services for our Life Science segment are generated on a contract by contract basis. The nature of this business is such that each contract provides a unique product and/or service and corresponding revenue stream. While this business has historically generated annual revenue of approximately $2,000 to $4,000, there can be no assurance that future contracts will be secured, and if secured, will be profitable.

Intense competition could adversely affect our profitability.

The markets for our products and services are characterized by substantial competition and rapid change. Hundreds of companies around the world supply diagnostic tests and purified reagents. These companies range from multinational healthcare entities, for which diagnostics is one line of business, to small start-up companies. Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, manufacturing and marketing resources than we do. We cannot provide any assurance that our products and services will be able to compete successfully with the products and services of our competitors.

We depend on international sales, and our financial results may be adversely impacted by foreign currency, regulatory or other developments affecting international markets.

We sell products and services into approximately 60 countries. Approximately 29% of our net sales for fiscal 2013 and approximately 31% of our net sales for fiscal 2012 were attributable to markets outside of North America. For fiscal 2013, approximately 40% of our international sales were made in Euros and 40% were made in U.S. dollars, with the remaining 20% being a combination of the British pound and Australian dollar. We are subject to the risks associated with fluctuations in the exchange rates for the Australian dollar, British pound, Euro and Singapore dollar to the U.S. dollar. We are also subject to other risks associated with international operations, including longer customer payment cycles, tariff regulations, requirements for export licenses, instability of foreign governments, and governmental requirements with respect to the importation and distribution of medical devices and immunodiagnostic and molecular biology reagents, all of which may vary by country.

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Risks Affecting our Manufacturing Operations

We are subject to comprehensive regulation, and our ability to earn profits may be restricted by these regulations.

Medical device diagnostics and the manufacture, sale and distribution of bulk antigens, antibodies and reagents are highly regulated industries. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to obtain necessary governmental clearances or approvals or timely clearances or approvals to market future products in the United States and other countries. Costs and difficulties in complying with laws and regulations administered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the Centers for Disease Control or other regulators can result in unanticipated expenses and delays and interruptions to the sale of new and existing products. Contract manufacturing of proteins and other biologicals is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Regulatory approval can be a lengthy, expensive and uncertain process, making the timing and costs of approvals difficult to predict. The failure to comply with these regulations can result in delay in obtaining authorization to sell products, seizure or recall of products, suspension or revocation of authority to manufacture or sell products, and other civil or criminal sanctions.

Significant interruptions in production at our principal manufacturing facilities and/or third-party manufacturing facilities would adversely affect our business and operating results.

Products and services manufactured at facilities we own or lease comprised a majority of our revenues. Our global supply of these products and services is dependent on the uninterrupted and efficient operation of these facilities. In addition, we currently rely on a small number of third-party manufacturers to produce certain of our diagnostic products and product components. The operations of our facilities or these third-party manufacturing facilities could be adversely affected by power failures, natural or other disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, tornadoes or terrorist threats. Although we carry insurance to protect against certain business interruptions at our facilities, there can be no assurance that such coverage will be adequate or that such coverage will continue to remain available on acceptable terms, if at all. Any significant interruption in the Company’s or third-party manufacturing capabilities could materially and adversely affect our operating results.

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We depend on sole-source suppliers for certain critical raw materials and components, and finished products. A supply interruption could adversely affect our business.

Raw Materials and Components

Our diagnostic products are made from a wide variety of raw materials that are biological or chemical in nature, and that generally are available from multiple sources of supply. We sole-source certain raw materials and components due to FDA regulations, which make it time consuming and costly to switch raw materials and components in FDA cleared products. If certain suppliers fail to supply required raw materials or components, we will need to secure other sources which may require us to conduct additional development and testing and obtain regulatory approval. These activities require significant time and resources, and there is no assurance that new sources will be secured or regulatory approvals, if necessary, will be obtained.

One third party manufactures our proprietary illumipro-10™ Incubator/Reader (instrument), a component of our illumigene molecular system. This instrument is manufactured exclusively for Meridian according to our specifications, with the cost of each instrument being relatively inexpensive. While other manufacturers for this type of instrument are available, we source solely from one manufacturer due to the FDA regulations and costs involved in clearing the system for marketing in the United States. If this third-party manufacturer fails to supply us with instruments, we will need to secure another manufacturer, and it may take as long as 12 months to transfer instrument manufacturing. As revenues for our illumigene molecular system accounted for $34,000 or 18% of consolidated sales for fiscal 2013, $23,000 or 13% for fiscal 2012 and $9,000 or 6% for fiscal 2011, an interruption in the manufacturing of this system could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

Additionally, one third party manufactures one certain reagent for use with our illumigene assays. While alternative suppliers exist, we elect to utilize this third party exclusively in order to maintain consistency in our materials, which is critical in complying with FDA regulatory requirements.

Finished Products

We outsource the manufacturing for certain finished diagnostic products to third parties. A disruption in the supply of these finished products could have a material adverse effect on our business until we find another supplier or bring manufacturing in house.

Three products manufactured exclusively for us by two separate and independent companies accounted for 14%, 13% and 12% of consolidated sales in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Meridian owns all right and title to the FDA 510(k) clearances for these products.

Activities undertaken by Meridian to reduce the risk of these sole-supplier arrangements include maintaining adequate inventory levels, supplier qualification procedures, supplier audits, site visits and frequent communication. Additionally, we have identified potential alternate suppliers.

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Risks Related to Intellectual Property and Product Liability

We may be unable to protect or obtain proprietary rights that we utilize or intend to utilize.

In developing and manufacturing our products, we employ a variety of proprietary and patented technologies. In addition, we have licensed, and expect to continue to license, various complementary technologies and methods from academic institutions and public and private companies. We cannot provide any assurance that the technologies that we own or license provide protection from competitive threats or from challenges to our intellectual property. In addition, we cannot provide any assurances that we will be successful in obtaining and retaining licenses or proprietary or patented technologies in the future.

Product infringement claims by other companies could result in costly disputes and could limit our ability to sell our products.

Litigation over intellectual property rights is prevalent in the diagnostic industry. As the market for diagnostics continues to grow and the number of participants in the market increases, we may increasingly be subject to patent infringement claims. It is possible that a third-party may claim infringement against us. If found to infringe, we may attempt to obtain a license to such intellectual property; however, we may be unable to do so on favorable terms, or at all. Additionally, if our products are found to infringe on third-party intellectual property, we may be required to pay damages for past infringement and lose the ability to sell certain products, causing our revenues to decrease. We currently carry intellectual property insurance that covers damages and defense costs from our potential infringement on certain other third-party patents at levels that we believe are commercially reasonable, although there is no assurance that it will be adequate to cover claims that may arise. Any substantial underinsured loss resulting from such a claim could have a material adverse effect on our profitability and the damage to our reputation in the industry could have a material adverse effect on our business.

If product liability lawsuits are successfully brought against us, we may incur substantial liabilities and may have to limit or cease sales of our products.

The testing, manufacturing and marketing of medical diagnostic products involves an inherent risk of product liability claims. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit or cease sales of our products. We currently carry product liability insurance at a level we believe is commercially reasonable, although there is no assurance that it will be adequate to cover claims that may arise. In certain customer contracts, we indemnify third-parties for certain product liability claims related to our products. These indemnification obligations may cause us to pay significant sums of money for claims that are covered by these indemnifications. In addition, a defect in the design or manufacture of our products could have a material adverse effect on our reputation in the industry and subject us to claims of liability for injury and otherwise. Any substantial underinsured loss resulting from such a claim could have a material adverse effect on our profitability and the damage to our reputation in the industry could have a material adverse effect on our business.

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Other Risks Affecting Our Business

Our business could be negatively affected if we are unable to attract, hire and retain key personnel.

Our future success depends on our continued ability to attract, hire and retain highly qualified personnel, including our executive officers and scientific, technical, sales and marketing employees, and their ability to manage growth successfully. If such key employees were to leave and we were unable to obtain adequate replacements, our operating results could be adversely affected.

Our bank credit agreement imposes restrictions with respect to our operations.

Our bank credit agreement contains a number of financial covenants that require us to meet certain financial ratios and tests. If we fail to comply with the obligations in the credit agreement, we would be in default under the credit agreement. If an event of default is not cured or waived, it could result in acceleration of any indebtedness under our credit agreement, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. At the present time, no borrowings are outstanding under our bank credit agreement.

We face risks related to global economic conditions.

We currently generate significant operating cash flows, which combined with access to the credit markets provides us with discretionary funding capacity for research and development and other strategic activities. However, as an enterprise with global operations and markets, our operations and financial performance are in part dependent upon global economic conditions, and we could be negatively impacted by a global, regional or national economic crisis, including sovereign risk in the event of deterioration in the credit worthiness of or a default by local governments. We are particularly susceptible to the economic conditions in countries where government-sponsored healthcare systems are the primary payers for healthcare, including those countries within the European Union that are reducing their public expenditures in an effort to achieve cost savings. The uncertainty in global economic conditions poses a risk to the overall economy that could impact demand for our products, as well as our ability to manage normal commercial relationships with our customers, suppliers and creditors, including financial institutions. As such, if global economic conditions deteriorate significantly, our business could be negatively impacted, including such areas as reduced demand for our products from a slow-down in the general economy, supplier or customer disruptions resulting from tighter credit markets and/or temporary interruptions in our ability to conduct day-to-day transactions through our financial intermediaries involving the payment to or collection of funds from our customers, vendors and suppliers. While to-date such factors have not had a significant negative impact on our results or operations, we continue to monitor and plan for the potential impact of these global economic factors.

Approximately $3,500 of our accounts receivable at September 30, 2013 is due from Italian hospital customers whose funding ultimately comes from the Italian government, which is down from approximately $4,600 at September 30, 2012.

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Risks Related to Our Common Stock

Our board of directors has the authority to issue up to 1,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock and to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, of such shares without any future vote or action by the shareholders. The issuance of preferred stock under certain circumstances could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our company. Ohio corporation law contains provisions that may discourage takeover bids for our company that have not been negotiated with the board of directors. Such provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. In addition, sales of substantial amounts of such shares in the public market could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to raise additional capital at a price favorable to us.

ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES

Our corporate offices, Diagnostics manufacturing facility, and Diagnostics research and development facility are located in four buildings totaling approximately 114,000 square feet on 10 acres of land in the Village of Newtown, a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. These properties are owned by us. We also operate a Diagnostics sales and distribution center near Milan, Italy in an approximately 18,000 square foot two-story building. This facility is owned by our wholly-owned Italian subsidiary, Meridian Bioscience Europe s.r.l. We also rent office space in Paris, France; and Nivelles, Belgium for sales and administrative functions.

Our Life Science operations are conducted in several facilities in Memphis, Tennessee; Boca Raton, Florida; Taunton, Massachusetts; London, England; Luckenwalde, Germany; Sydney, Australia; and Singapore. Our facility in Memphis, Tennessee consists of two buildings totaling approximately 44,000 square feet and is owned by us. Our leased facility in Boca Raton, Florida contains approximately 7,500 square feet of manufacturing space. In addition, we continue to own an approximately 23,000 square foot facility in Saco, Maine, which we have been marketing for sale or lease. Following are details of our other Life Science facilities, all of which are leased: Taunton – approximately 10,000 square feet of sales and warehouse space; London – approximately 17,000 square feet of sales, warehouse, distribution, research and development, manufacturing and administrative office space; Luckenwalde – approximately 10,000 square feet of sales, warehouse and manufacturing space; Sydney – approximately 4,000 square feet of sales, warehouse, research and development, and manufacturing space; Singapore – less than 1,000 square feet of sales and business development space.

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ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are a party to various litigation matters that we believe are in the normal course of business. The ultimate resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. No material provision has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for these matters.

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II.

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON

EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Refer to “Forward Looking Statements” following the Index in front of the Form 10-K and Item 1A “Risk Factors” on Pages 14 through 22 of this Annual Report.

“Common Stock Information” on the inside back cover of the Annual Report to Shareholders for 2013 and “Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)” relating to our dividends in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements are incorporated herein by reference. Except as may otherwise be prohibited by applicable law, there are no restrictions on cash dividend payments.

During fiscal 2013, our indicated annual dividend rate of $0.76 per share approximated 84% of full-year diluted earnings per share, in line with our long-standing policy of setting a cash dividend payout ratio of between 75% and 85% of each fiscal year’s expected net earnings. We believe that this positive dividend payout relationship will continue, although no assurances can be made in this regard. The declaration and amount of dividends will be determined by the board of directors in its discretion based upon its evaluation of earnings, cash flow requirements and future business developments and opportunities, including acquisitions. At its meeting on November 6, 2013, the board of directors increased the indicated annual dividend rate to $0.80 per share for fiscal 2014.

We paid dividends of $0.76 per share in each of fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011.

As of September 30, 2013, there were approximately 900 holders of record and approximately 15,900 beneficial owners of our common shares.

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ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Incorporated by reference from inside front cover of the Annual Report to Shareholders for 2013.

ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Refer to “Forward Looking Statements” following the Index in front of this Form 10-K and Item 1A “Risk Factors” on pages 14 through 22 of this Annual Report.

In the discussion that follows, all amounts are in thousands (both tables and text), except per share data.

Results of Operations:

Fourth Quarter

Net earnings for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 increased 7% to $9,150, or $0.22 per diluted share, from net earnings for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 of $8,573, or $0.21 per diluted share. This increase reflects the combined effects of both increased sales, consistent gross profit margins and increased operating expenses, along with the negative effect of $441 (pre-tax) of medical device tax that did not exist in fiscal 2012 (see discussion in Medical Device Tax below). Consolidated sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 were $48,962, an increase of $5,479, or 13%, compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. Increased sales across all of our diagnostic focus product families (C. difficile, foodborne and H. pylori), as well as in our Life Science segment, contributed to this increase. Included within the fourth quarter 2013 results were sales of our illumigene^® molecular platform of products totaling $9,400, representing a 44% increase over the fiscal 2012 fourth quarter.

Sales for the Diagnostics segment for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 increased 15% compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, reflecting growth across all of our focus product families – 9% growth in our C. difficile products, 16% growth in our foodborne products, and 26% growth in our H. pylori products. With growth in both its molecular component and immunoassay component business, sales of our Life Science segment increased by 5% during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.

Fiscal Year

Net earnings for fiscal 2013 increased 14% to $38,032, or $0.91 per diluted share from net earnings for fiscal 2012 of $33,371, or $0.80 per diluted share. This increase reflects the combined effects of both increased sales, increased gross profit margins and increased operating expenses, along with the negative effect of $1,318 (pre-tax) of medical device tax that did not exist in fiscal 2012 (see discussion in Medical Device Tax below). Additionally, fiscal 2012 results included $1,013 of costs associated with the consolidation of the Saco, Maine operations into the Memphis, Tennessee facility (impact on earnings of $659 or $0.02 per diluted share – see Non-GAAP Information below).

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Non-GAAP Information

The tables below provide information on net earnings, basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share, excluding the effect of costs associated with the consolidation of our Saco, Maine operations into our Memphis, Tennessee facility (fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011) and costs of reorganizing our sales and marketing leadership (fiscal 2011), each of which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as well as reconciliations to amounts reported under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. We believe that this information is useful to those who read our financial statements and evaluate our operating results because:

1.	These measures help to appropriately evaluate and compare the results of operations from period to period by removing the impact of non-routine costs related to consolidating the Maine operations (fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011) and reorganizing our sales and marketing leadership (fiscal 2011); and

2.	These measures are used by our management for various purposes, including evaluating performance against incentive bonus achievement targets, comparing performance from period to period in presentations to our board of directors, and as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting.


	2013		2012		2011
Net Earnings—
U.S. GAAP basis	$	38,032	$	33,371	$	26,831
Facility consolidation costs (1)		—		659		691
Sales & marketing leadership reorganization (2)		—		—		872

Adjusted earnings	$	38,032	$	34,030	$	28,394

Net Earnings per Basic Common Share—
U.S. GAAP basis	$	0.92	$	0.81	$	0.66
Facility consolidation costs (1)		—		0.02		0.02
Sales & marketing leadership reorganization (2)		—		—		0.02

Adjusted Basic EPS	$	0.92	$	0.83	$	0.70

Net Earnings per Diluted Common Share—
U.S. GAAP basis	$	0.91	$	0.80	$	0.65
Facility consolidation costs (1)		—		0.02		0.02
Sales & marketing leadership reorganization (2)		—		—		0.02

Adjusted Diluted EPS	$	0.91	$	0.82	$	0.69

(1)	These facility consolidation costs are net of income tax effects of $354 and $366 for fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, respectively, which were calculated using the effective tax rates of the jurisdictions in which the costs were incurred.

(2)	These leadership reorganization costs are net of income tax effects of $368 for fiscal 2011, which were calculated using the effective tax rates of the jurisdictions in which the costs were incurred.

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REVENUE OVERVIEW

Below are analyses of the Company’s revenue, provided for each of the following:

•

By Reportable Segment & Geographic Region

•

By Product Platform/Type

•

By Disease Family (Diagnostics only)

Revenue Overview- By Reportable Segment & Geographic Region

Revenues for the Diagnostics segment, in the normal course of business, may be affected from quarter to quarter by buying patterns of major distributors, seasonality and strength of certain diseases, and foreign currency exchange rates. Revenues for the Life Science segment, in the normal course of business, may be affected from quarter to quarter by the timing and nature of arrangements for contract services work, which may have longer production cycles than bioresearch reagents and bulk antigens and antibodies, as well as buying patterns of major customers, and foreign currency exchange rates. We believe that the overall breadth of our product lines serves to reduce the variability in consolidated revenues.

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Revenues for each of our segments and the geographic regions therein are shown below.


										2013 vs. 2012			2012 vs. 2011
	2013			2012			2011			Inc (Dec)			Inc (Dec)
Diagnostics-
North America	$	116,509		$	101,391		$	90,387			15	%		12	%
EMEA		21,378			22,267			24,059			(4	)%		(7	)%
ROW		6,742			6,522			5,987			3	%		9	%

Total Diagnostics		144,629			130,180			120,433			11	%		8	%

Life Science-
North America		17,688			17,917			15,797			(1	)%		13	%
EMEA		18,721			18,050			16,133			4	%		12	%
ROW		7,648			6,565			6,473			16	%		1	%

Total Life Science		44,057			42,532			38,403			4	%		11	%

Consolidated	$	188,686		$	172,712		$	158,836			9	%		9	%

% of total sales-
Diagnostics		77	%		75	%		76	%
Life Science		23	%		25	%		24	%

Total		100	%		100	%		100	%

Ex-North America		29	%		31	%		33	%

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Revenue Overview- By Product Platform/Type

The revenues generated by each of our reportable segments result primarily from the sale of the following segment-specific categories of products:

Diagnostics

1) Molecular tests that operate on our illumigene platform

2) Immunoassay tests

Life Science

1) Molecular components

2) Immunoassay components

Revenue for each product platform/type, as well as its relative percentage of segment revenue, is shown below.


	2013			2012			2011			2013 vs. 2012 Inc (Dec)			2012 vs. 2011 Inc (Dec)
Diagnostics-
Molecular	$	33,597		$	23,248		$	9,042			45	%		157	%
Immunoassay		111,032			106,932			111,391			4	%		(4	)%

Total Diagnostics	$	144,629		$	130,180		$	120,433			11	%		8	%

Life Science-
Molecular components	$	18,777		$	17,078		$	14,869			10	%		15	%
Immunoassay components		25,280			25,454			23,534			(1	)%		8	%

Total Life Science	$	44,057		$	42,532		$	38,403			4	%		11	%

% of Diagnostics sales-
Molecular		23	%		18	%		8	%
Immunoassay		77	%		82	%		92	%

Total Diagnostics		100	%		100	%		100	%

% of Life Science sales-
Molecular components		43	%		40	%		39	%
Immunoassay components		57	%		60	%		61	%

Total Life Science		100	%		100	%		100	%

Following is a discussion of the revenues generated by each of these product platforms/types:

Diagnostics Products

illumigene Molecular Platform Products

We have approximately 1,200 customer account placements. Of these account placements, approximately 1,000 accounts have completed evaluations and validations and are regularly purchasing product, with the balance of our account placements being in some stage of product evaluation and/or validation. Of our account placements, we have over 190 accounts that are regularly purchasing, evaluating and/or validating two or more assays.

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We continue to invest in new product development for our molecular testing platform, illumigene. This platform now has four commercialized tests, with three additional tests expected to be available for sale in fiscal 2014:

illumigene^® C. difficile – commercialized in August 2010

illumigene^® Group B Streptococcus (Group B Strep or GBS) – commercialized in December 2011

illumigene^® Group A Streptococcus (Group A Strep) – commercialized in September 2012

illumigene^® Mycoplasma (M. pneumonia; walking pneumonia) – commercialized in June 2013

illumigene^® Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough) – expected first half fiscal 2014

illumigene^® Chlamydia trachomatis – expected second half fiscal 2014

illumigene^® Neisseria gonorrhea – expected second half fiscal 2014

We believe that the diagnostic testing market is continuing to move away from culture and immunoassay testing to molecular testing for diseases where there is a favorable cost/benefit position for the total cost of healthcare. While this market is competitive, with molecular companies such as Cepheid and Becton Dickinson and new entrants such as Quidel, Great Basin, Nanosphere, and others, we believe we are well positioned to capitalize on the migration to molecular testing. Our simple, easy-to-use, illumigene platform, with its expanding menu, requires no expensive equipment purchase and little to no maintenance cost. These features, along with its small footprint and the performance of the illumigene assays, make illumigene an attractive molecular platform to any size hospital.

Immunoassay Products

Sales of our Diagnostic segment’s immunoassay products increased 4% in fiscal 2013, following a 4% decrease in fiscal 2012. The current year increase results primarily from the revenue growth of our H. pylori and foodborne products, as described below.

Life Science Products

During fiscal 2013, sales of our Life Science segment increased 4%, with sales of our molecular component business increasing 10% over fiscal 2012 and sales of our immunoassay component business decreasing 1%. Life Science segment sales increased 11% in fiscal 2012, reflecting increases in both our molecular and immunoassay component businesses of 15% and 8%, respectively. Our molecular component business continues to benefit from new product launches and advancements – most notably SensiFAST™ and MyTaq™ PCR components – while our bulk immunoassay component business is focusing on improving its operating efficiency and developing revenue opportunities in Asia.

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Diagnostic Revenue Overview- By Disease Family

Sales from our focus families (C. difficile, foodborne and H. pylori) comprised 62%, 62% and 59% of our Diagnostics segment’s revenue during fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Following is a discussion of the revenues generated by each product family:

C. difficile Products

During fiscal 2013 our C. difficile product family sales totaled $39,000, representing growth of 8%. This followed growth of 21% in fiscal 2012. This overall product family growth is largely driven by the growth of our illumigene C. difficile product, which now represents over 70% of total C. difficile revenues. While the C. difficile market continues to be highly competitive, we are the only company that can offer a full range of high performing, FDA cleared, C. difficile testing formats, including toxin, GDH and molecular tests.

Foodborne Products

With fiscal 2013 sales totaling $24,000, we continue to see demand increases for foodborne products, all of which are immunoassay products, as laboratories realize the benefits of increased sensitivity and faster turnaround time with our tests for Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and Campylobacter, compared to traditional culture methods. Sales increases for these products were 15% and 13% during fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively. While historically the primary competition for our foodborne products has been laboratory culture methods, during 2012 one of our competitors, Alere, cleared through the FDA a shiga toxin test that competes with our EHEC test. Despite this new competition, our revenue growth rate improved in fiscal 2013. We believe that our products have two principal advantages versus culture methods: (i) test accuracy; and (ii) improved work flow, resulting in a significantly shortened time to test result (20 minutes vs. 24-48 hours for culture).

H. pylori Products

During fiscal 2013, sales of H. pylori products, all of which are immunoassay products, grew 11% to $26,000, which followed 7% growth during fiscal 2012. This increase continues to reflect the benefits of our partnerships with managed care companies in promoting the health and economic benefits of a test and treat strategy, and the ongoing effects of such strategy moving physician behavior away from serology-based testing toward direct antigen testing. A significant amount of the H. pylori product sales are to reference labs, whose buying patterns may not be consistent period to period.

Respiratory Products

Total respiratory sales for our Diagnostics segment increased 17% to $17,000 during fiscal 2013, following a 3% decrease in the sales of such products in fiscal 2012. Contributing to the current year increase were increased sales of influenza products, reflecting the strength of this year’s influenza season, compared to last year’s; and growth in our illumigene Group A Strep product, which as previously noted, received FDA approval in September 2012.

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Foreign Currency

During fiscal 2013, currency exchange rates had a negligible impact on revenue; $150 favorable within the Diagnostics segment and $150 unfavorable in the Life Science segment. This compares to currency exchange having an approximate $1,700 unfavorable impact on revenue in fiscal 2012; $1,450 within the Diagnostics segment and $250 in the Life Science segment.

Significant Customers

Two U.S. distributors accounted for 42%, 41% and 40% of our Diagnostics segment’s total sales for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These sales represented 32%, 31% and 30% of consolidated sales for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Within our Life Science segment, two diagnostic manufacturing customers accounted for 17%, 19% and 15% of the segment’s total sales for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These sales represented 4%, 5% and 4% of our consolidated sales for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Medical Device Tax

On January 1, 2013, the medical device tax established as part of the U.S. healthcare reform legislation became effective, and as a result, the Company made its first required tax deposit near the end of January 2013. During fiscal 2013, the Company recorded approximately $1,300 of medical device tax expense, which is reflected as a component of cost of sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Gross Profit:


	2013			2012			2011			2013 vs. 2012 Inc (Dec)			2012 vs. 2011 Inc (Dec)
Gross Profit	$	121,044		$	109,048		$	98,411			11	%		11	%
Gross Profit Margin		64	%		63	%		62	%		+1 point			+1 point

The improvement in our overall gross profit margins from 2011 to 2013 reflects the combined effects of (i) mix of sales from the Company’s segments; (ii) continued operating efficiencies in our Cincinnati, Ohio diagnostic manufacturing facility; (iii) lower overall cost structure from the consolidation of our Life Science immunoassay component manufacturing facilities; and (iv) mix of products sold.

Our overall operations consist of the sale of diagnostic test kits for various disease states and in alternative test formats, as well as bioresearch reagents, bulk antigens and antibodies, PCR/qPCR reagents, nucleotides, competent cells, proficiency panels, and contract research and development, and contract manufacturing services. Product sales mix shifts, in the normal course of business, can cause the consolidated gross profit margin to fluctuate by several points.

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Operating Expenses:


	Research & Development			Selling & Marketing			General & Administrative			Other			Total Operating Expenses
2011 Expenses	$	9,822		$	21,885		$	24,883		$	1,788		$	58,378

% of Sales		6	%		14	%		16	%		1	%		37	%
Fiscal 2012 Increases (Decreases):
Diagnostics		644			(1,080	)		3,113			(1,240	)		1,437
Life Science		(191	)		1,287			(1,624	)		465			(63	)

2012 Expenses	$	10,275		$	22,092		$	26,372		$	1,013		$	59,752

% of Sales		6	%		13	%		15	%		1	%		35	%
% Increase (Decrease)		5	%		1	%		6	%		(43	%)		2	%
Fiscal 2013 Increases (Decreases):
Diagnostics		324			572			3,006			—			3,902
Life Science		188			(240	)		1,141			(1,013	)		76

2013 Expenses	$	10,787		$	22,424		$	30,519		$	—		$	63,730

% of Sales		6	%		12	%		16	%		0	%		34	%
% Increase (Decrease)		5	%		2	%		16	%		(100	%)		7	%

Overall, total operating expenses increased during both fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 relative to the immediately preceding fiscal year, but decreased as a percentage of consolidated sales. The fiscal 2013 increase results in large part from the combined effects of our (i) ongoing efforts to control spending in each of our segments while investing the necessary resources in our strategic areas of growth, including increased investment in Research & Development for our molecular platform products; (ii) increased sales personnel costs in Europe in connection with filling open positions and upgrading talent; (iii) increased incentive compensation compared to fiscal 2012 based upon improved operating results; and (iv) costs incurred in connection with the consolidation of our Saco, Maine operations into our Memphis, Tennessee location during fiscal 2012 of approximately $1,013. We expect to have higher levels of Research & Development spending during fiscal 2014 related to clinical trials for our illumigene Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhea products.

During fiscal 2012, the increase in operating expenses resulted in large part from the combined effects of our (i) fiscal 2012 efforts to control spending in each of our segments while investing the necessary resources in our strategic areas of growth; (ii) beginning to realize cost savings during 2012 from the consolidation of our Life Science immunoassay component manufacturing operations into one facility in Tennessee; (iii) incurring costs in connection with the Maine-Tennessee facility consolidation of approximately $1,013 during fiscal 2012, and approximately $1,057 during fiscal 2011 ($548 of an Operating Expense nature); and (iv) incurring during the second quarter of fiscal 2011 approximately $1,240 of costs in connection with the reorganization of our European and Global Sales and Marketing Leadership.

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Operating expenses for the Diagnostics segment increased $3,902 for fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012, and increased $1,437 for fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011. These overall increases result largely from the combined effects of the following:

Fiscal 2013

General & Administrative

Improved corporate-wide operating profits, resulting in increased bonus expense of approximately $3,100, along with an approximate $500 increase in stock-based compensation during fiscal 2013.

Fiscal 2012

Research & Development

Overall increase in spending on new product development activities, related primarily to our illumigene test for Group A Streptococcus, including an approximate $350 increase in personnel-related costs.

Selling & Marketing

Field sales force realignment activities during the year resulting in decreased sales commission expenses of approximately $1,050.

General & Administrative

Improved corporate-wide operating profits, resulting in increased bonus, profit sharing and deferred compensation expenses of approximately $2,800, partially offset by an approximate $650 decrease in stock-based compensation during fiscal 2012.

Operating expenses for the Life Science segment increased $76 for fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012, and decreased $63 for fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011. The 2013 activity reflects in large part the combined effects of increased bonus expenses, investments in Bioline infrastructure and the lack of Maine-Tennessee facility consolidation costs, which existed in fiscal 2012. The decrease in 2012 primarily results from realizing cost savings from the Maine-Tennessee facility consolidation and an increased investment in Bioline Group sales resources.

The amount of stock-based compensation expense reported for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $2,502, $1,987 and $2,614, respectively. During fiscal 2011, we granted restricted shares and restricted share units to certain employees, with half of each employee’s grant being time-vested restricted shares or restricted share units vesting in full in four years, and the remaining half being subject to attainment of a specified earnings target for fiscal 2011. Although dividend equivalents were paid on these shares and units throughout fiscal 2011, because Meridian’s net earnings did not reach the minimum level in fiscal 2011, the performance-based awards were not earned and no stock-based compensation was recorded for these performance-based awards.

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During fiscal 2012, we granted restricted share units to certain employees, with half of each employee’s grant being time-vested restricted share units vesting in total on the fourth anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining half being subject to attainment of a specified earnings target for fiscal 2012. Although dividend equivalents were paid on these units throughout fiscal 2012, because Meridian’s net earnings did not reach the minimum level in fiscal 2012, the performance-based awards were not earned and no stock-based compensation was recorded for these performance-based awards. Additionally, during fiscal 2012, we granted restricted share units and options to certain executive management employees to reward them for meeting Company revenue targets in advance of planned expectations. These awards can only be earned if specified cumulative revenue thresholds are met one fiscal quarter in advance of planned revenue expectations through fiscal 2015, with the three measurement dates for ratably earning one-third of the grant being (i) the 21-month period ending June 30, 2013, (ii) the 33-month period ending June 30, 2014 and (iii) the 45-month period ending June 30, 2015. To date, no expense has been recognized for these restricted share units and options, and as a result of the cumulative threshold for the 21-month period ended June 30, 2013 not being met, one-third of the restricted share units and options granted have been cancelled.

Similar to previous years, during fiscal 2013, we granted restricted share units to certain employees, with half of each employee’s grant being time-vested restricted share units vesting in total on the fourth anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining half being subject to attainment of a specified earnings target for fiscal 2013. Although dividend equivalents were paid on these units throughout fiscal 2013, because Meridian’s net earnings did not reach the minimum level in fiscal 2013, the performance-based awards were not earned and no stock-based compensation was recorded for these performance-based awards.

Operating Income

Operating income increased 16% and 23% in fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively, as a result of the factors discussed above.

Income Taxes

The effective rate for income taxes has remained relatively stable during the fiscal years reflected at 34%, 33% and 34% for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These rates reflect the net effects of various items, such as (i) the release of certain reserves for uncertain tax positions due to the passage of the relevant statutes of limitations, (ii) the effect of adjusting, upon filing of the tax returns, the previously estimated permanent differences between income for financial reporting purposes and for tax purposes; and (iii) the net tax benefit on dividends from a foreign-based subsidiary.

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Impact of Inflation

To the extent feasible, we have consistently followed the practice of adjusting our prices to reflect the impact of inflation on salaries and fringe benefits for employees and the cost of purchased materials and services. Inflation and changing prices did not have a material adverse impact on our gross margin, revenue or operating income in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Liquidity and Capital Resources:

Liquidity

Our cash flow and financing requirements are determined by analyses of operating and capital spending budgets, consideration of acquisition plans, and consideration of common share dividends. We have historically maintained a credit facility to augment working capital requirements and to respond quickly to acquisition opportunities. Our investment portfolio presently consists of overnight repurchase agreements.

We have an investment policy that guides the holdings of our investment portfolio. Our objectives in managing the investment portfolio are to (i) preserve capital; (ii) provide sufficient liquidity to meet working capital requirements and fund strategic objectives such as acquisitions; and (iii) capture a market rate of return commensurate with market conditions and our policy’s investment eligibility criteria. As we look forward, we will continue to manage the holdings of our investment portfolio with preservation of capital being the primary objective.

We do not expect current conditions in the financial markets, or overall economic conditions, to have a significant impact on our liquidity needs, financial condition, or results of operations, although no assurances can be made in this regard. We intend to continue to fund our working capital requirements and dividends from current cash flows from operating activities and cash on hand. If needed, we also have an additional source of liquidity through our $30,000 bank credit facility. Approximately $3,500 of our accounts receivable at September 30, 2013 is due from Italian hospital customers whose funding ultimately comes from the Italian government, which is down from approximately $4,600 at September 30, 2012. Our liquidity needs may change if overall economic conditions worsen and/or liquidity and credit within the financial markets remains tight for an extended period of time, and such conditions impact the collectibility of our customer accounts receivable or impact credit terms with our vendors, or disrupt the supply of raw materials and services.

Fluctuations in overall stock market valuations may raise questions as to the potential impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets. Our annual goodwill impairment review takes place as of June 30^th each year. There have been no impairments from these annual reviews. As of September 30, 2013, our stock price was $23.63 per share, compared to our book value per share of $3.73. This relationship, stock price trading at a 6.3x multiple of book value, is an indicator that the fluctuation in overall stock market valuations and its impact on our stock price has not been a triggering event for impairment of our goodwill and other long-lived assets.

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Our overall cash position improved nearly $13,000 during fiscal 2013, to $44,000 at September 30, 2013. The primary contributors to the increase in our cash position were the net effects of (i) our 14% increase in net earnings; (ii) our relatively modest capital expenditures; and (iii) our payment of approximately $31,000 of cash dividends.

Net cash flows from operating activities and cash on hand are anticipated to be adequate to fund working capital requirements, capital expenditures and dividends during the next twelve months. During fiscal 2013, the per share amount of our cash dividend represented 84% of our diluted earnings per share, in line with our long-standing policy of establishing a dividend payout ratio between 75% and 85% of diluted earnings per share. During fiscal 2014, we believe that this positive dividend payout relationship will continue, although no assurances can be made in this regard.

Capital Resources

We have a $30,000 credit facility with a commercial bank which expires September 15, 2015. As of November 23, 2013, there were no borrowings outstanding on this facility and we had 100% borrowing capacity available to us. We have had no borrowings outstanding under this facility during fiscal 2013, 2012 or 2011.

Our capital expenditures are estimated to range between approximately $7,500 to $9,000 for fiscal 2014, with the actual amount depending upon actual operating results and the phasing of certain projects. Such expenditures may be funded with cash and equivalents on hand, operating cash flows, and/or availability under the $30,000 credit facility discussed above. This range of capital expenditures includes approximately $4,000 related to an expansion of our molecular diagnostic manufacturing capacity in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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Known Contractual Obligations:

Known contractual obligations and their related due dates were as follows as of September 30, 2013:


	Total		Less than 1 Year		1-3 Years		4-5 Years		More than 5 Years
Operating leases (1)	$	3,624	$	1,370	$	1,934	$	320	$	—
Purchase obligations (2)		8,091		7,921		170		—		—
Uncertain income tax positions liability and interest (3)		208		208		—		—		—

Total	$	11,923	$	9,499	$	2,104	$	320	$	—

(1)

Meridian and its subsidiaries are lessees of (i) office and warehouse buildings in Ohio, Massachusetts, Florida, Australia, Belgium, France, Holland, Germany and the U.K.; (ii) automobiles for use by the diagnostic direct sales forces in the U.S. and Europe; and (iii) certain office equipment such as facsimile machines and copier machines across all business units, under operating lease agreements that expire at various dates.

(2)	Meridian’s purchase obligations are primarily outstanding purchase orders for inventory and service items. These contractual commitments are not in excess of expected production requirements over the next twelve months.

(3)

As of September 30, 2013, our liabilities for uncertain tax positions and related interest and penalties were $178 and $30, respectively. Due to inherent uncertainties in the timing of settlement of tax positions, we are unable to estimate the timing of the effective settlement of these obligations.

Other Commitments and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements:

License Agreements

Meridian has entered into various license agreements that require payment of royalties based on a specified percentage of sales of related products (1% to 14%). Meridian expects that payments under these agreements will amount to approximately $5,000 in fiscal 2014. These royalty payments primarily relate to the Diagnostics segment.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Except for the operating lease arrangements noted above, we have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Market Risk Exposure:

Foreign Currency Risk

We have market risk exposure related to foreign currency transactions from our operations outside the United States, as well as certain suppliers to our domestic businesses located outside the United States. The foreign currencies where we have market risk exposure are the Australian dollar, the British pound, the Euro, and the Singapore dollar. Assessing foreign currency exposures is a component of our overall ongoing risk management process, with such currency risks managed as we believe appropriate.

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Concentration of Customers/Products Risk

Our Diagnostic segment’s sales through two U.S. distributors were 42% of the segment’s total sales or 32% of consolidated sales for fiscal 2013. Our C. difficile, foodborne and H. pylori product families accounted for 62% of our Diagnostics segment’s third-party sales during fiscal 2013, and 47% of our fiscal 2013 consolidated sales.

Our Life Science segment’s sales of purified antigens and reagents to two diagnostics manufacturing customers were 17% of the segment’s total sales for fiscal 2013 or 4% of our fiscal 2013 consolidated sales. Our Life Science segment has four other significant customers who purchase antigens, antibodies and reagents, which together comprised 8% of the segment’s total sales for fiscal 2013.

Critical Accounting Policies:

The consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Such accounting principles require management to make judgments about estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. Management believes that the following accounting policies are critical to understanding the accompanying consolidated financial statements because the application of such polices requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, and the carrying values of related assets and liabilities are material.

Revenue Recognition

Our revenue is generally recognized from sales when product is shipped and title has passed to the customer. Revenue for the Diagnostics segment is reduced at the date of sale for product price adjustments due certain distributors under local contracts. Management estimates accruals for distributor price adjustments based on local contract terms, sales data provided by distributors, estimates of inventories of our products held by distributors, historical statistics, current trends, and other factors. Changes to the accruals are recorded in the period that they become known.

Revenue for our Diagnostics segment includes revenue for our illumigene molecular test system. This system includes an instrument, instrument accessories and test kits. In markets where the test system is sold via multiple deliverable arrangements (i.e., the United States, Australia, Belgium, France, Holland and Italy), the cost of the instrument and instrument accessories is deferred upon placement at a customer and amortized on a straight-line basis into cost of sales over the expected utilization period, generally three years.

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We evaluate whether each deliverable in the arrangement is a separate unit of accounting. The significant deliverables are an instrument, instrument accessories (e.g., printer) and test kits. An instrument and instrument accessories are delivered to the customer prior to the start of the customer utilization period, in order to accommodate customer set-up and installation. There is de minimis consideration received from the customer at the time of instrument placement. We have determined that the instrument and instrument accessories are not a separate unit of accounting because such equipment can only be used to process and read the results from our illumigene diagnostic tests (i.e., our instrument and test kits function together to deliver a diagnostic test result), and therefore the instrument and instrument accessories do not have standalone value to the customer. Consequently, there is no revenue allocated to the placement of the instrument and instrument accessories. Test kits are delivered to the customer over the utilization period of the instrument, which we estimate has a useful life of three years. Our average customer contract period, including estimated renewals, is at least equal to the estimated three-year utilization period. Revenue for the sale of test kits is recognized upon shipment and transfer of title to the customers.

In markets where the test system is not sold via multiple deliverable arrangements (i.e., countries other than the United States, Australia, Belgium, France, Holland and Italy), the cost of the instrument and instrument accessories is charged to cost of sales at the time of shipment and transfer of title to the customer. Revenue for the sales of instruments and instrument accessories and test kits is recognized upon shipment and transfer of title to the customers. In these markets, our illumigene molecular test system is sold to independent distributors who inventory the instruments, instrument accessories and test kits for resale to end-users.

Our products are generally not subject to a customer right of return except for product recall events under the rules and regulations of the Food and Drug Administration or equivalent agencies outside the United States. In this circumstance, the costs to replace affected products would be accrued at the time a loss was probable and estimable.

Life Science revenue for contract services may come from research and development services or manufacturing services, including process development work, or a combination of both. Revenue is recognized based on each of the deliverables in a given arrangement having distinct and separate customer pricing. Depending on the nature of the arrangement, revenue is recognized as services are performed and billed, upon completion and acceptance by the customer, or upon delivery of product and acceptance by the customer. In some cases, customers may request that we store on their behalf, clinical grade biologicals that we produce under contract manufacturing agreements. These cases arise when customers do not have clinical grade storage facilities or do not want to risk contamination during transport. For such cases, revenue may be recognized on a bill-and-hold basis. No such bill-and-hold arrangements existed at September 30, 2013, 2012 or 2011.

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Inventories

Our inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis for substantially all of our inventories. We establish reserves against cost for excess and obsolete materials, finished goods whose shelf life may expire before sale to customers, and other identified exposures. We estimate these reserves based on assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual demand and market conditions were to be less favorable than such estimates, additional inventory write-downs would be required and recorded in the period known. Such adjustments would negatively affect gross profit margin and overall results of operations.

Intangible Assets

Our intangible assets include identifiable intangibles and goodwill. Identifiable intangibles include customer lists, supply agreements, manufacturing technologies, patents, licenses and trade names. All of Meridian’s identifiable intangibles have finite lives.

Goodwill is subject to an annual impairment review (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise) by applying a fair-value based test. There have been no impairments from these analyses.

Identifiable intangibles with finite lives are reviewed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that such assets may not be recoverable at their current carrying value. Whether an event or circumstance triggers impairment is determined by comparing an estimate of the asset’s undiscounted future cash flows to its carrying value. If impairment has occurred, it is measured by a fair-value based test. There were no events or circumstances in fiscal 2013, 2012 or 2011 indicating that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable.

Our ability to recover intangible assets, both identifiable intangibles and goodwill, is dependent upon the future cash flows of the related acquired businesses and assets. We are required to make judgments and assumptions regarding future cash flows, including sales levels, gross profit margins, operating expense levels, working capital levels, and capital expenditures. With respect to identifiable intangibles, we also make judgments and assumptions regarding useful lives.

We consider the following factors in evaluating events and circumstances for possible impairment: (i) significant under-performance relative to historical or projected operating results; (ii) negative industry trends; (iii) sales levels of specific groups of products (related to specific identifiable intangibles); (iv) changes in overall business strategies; and (v) other factors.

If actual cash flows are less favorable than projections, this could trigger impairment of intangible assets and other long-lived assets. If impairment were to occur, this would negatively affect overall results of operations.

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Income Taxes

Our provision for income taxes includes federal, foreign, state and local income taxes currently payable and those deferred because of temporary differences between income for financial reporting purposes and income for tax purposes. We prepare estimates of permanent and temporary differences between income for financial reporting purposes and income for tax purposes. These differences are adjusted to actual upon filing of our tax returns, typically occurring in the third and fourth quarters of the current fiscal year for the preceding fiscal year’s estimates.

Our deferred tax assets include net operating loss carryforwards in foreign jurisdictions. The realization of tax benefits related to net operating loss carryforwards is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income in the applicable jurisdictions. We assess the level of deferred tax asset valuation allowance by taking into consideration historical and future projected operating results, future reversals of taxable temporary differences, as well as tax planning strategies. The amount of net deferred tax assets considered realizable could be reduced in future years if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced.

Undistributed earnings in our non-U.S. subsidiaries are considered by us to be permanently re-invested in such subsidiaries. Consequently, U.S. deferred tax liabilities on such earnings have not been recorded.

From time to time, our tax returns in federal, state and foreign jurisdictions are examined by the applicable tax authorities. To the extent that adjustments result from the completion of these examinations or the lapsing of statutes of limitation, they will affect tax liabilities in the period known. We believe that the results of any tax authority examinations would not have a significant adverse impact on financial condition or results of operations.

In September 2013, the Internal Revenue Service issued Treasury Decision 9636, which enacted final tax regulations regarding the capitalization and expensing of amounts paid to acquire, produce, or improve tangible property. The regulations also include guidance regarding the retirement of depreciable property. The regulations are required to be effective in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2014, although taxpayers may choose to apply them in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2012. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the final regulations on its financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, to improve the transparency of reporting reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. Specifically, the new amendments to ASU No. 2013-02 will require, depending upon the items being reclassified, the (i) presentation (either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes) of the effects on the line items of net income of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income; and/or (ii) the cross-reference to other disclosures currently required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about such items. These requirements are effective prospectively for the Company beginning October 1, 2013, and we do not expect their adoption to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

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Issued but not yet effective accounting pronouncements are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

See Market Risk Exposure and Capital Resources under Item 7 above.

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ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements


Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting			44

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			45

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011			47

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011			48

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011			49

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013 and 2012			50

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011			52

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements			53

Schedule No. II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011			78

All other supplemental schedules are omitted due to the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the information is shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.

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Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f).

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting can only provide reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on management’s evaluation and those criteria, the Company concluded that its system of internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2013.

The company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


/s/ John A. Kraeutler				/s/ Melissa A. Lueke
John A. Kraeutler				Melissa A. Lueke
Chief Executive Officer				Executive Vice President and
November 29, 2013				Chief Financial Officer
				November 29, 2013

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (an Ohio corporation) and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2013. Our audits of the basic financial statements included the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Schedule No. II. We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Meridian Bioscience, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2013 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by COSO.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Cincinnati, Ohio

November 29, 2013

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share data)

Meridian Bioscience, Inc. and Subsidiaries


For the Year Ended September 30,	2013		2012		2011
Net Sales	$	188,686	$	172,712	$	158,836
Cost of Sales		67,642		63,664		59,916
Cost of Sales—Plant consolidation		—		—		509

Gross Profit		121,044		109,048		98,411

Operating Expenses:
Research and development		10,787		10,275		9,822
Selling and marketing		22,424		22,092		21,885
General and administrative		30,519		26,372		24,883
Plant consolidation costs		—		1,013		548
Sales and marketing leadership reorganization		—		—		1,240

Total operating expenses		63,730		59,752		58,378

Operating Income		57,314		49,296		40,033
Other Income:
Interest income		44		42		115
Other, net		4		378		352

Total other income		48		420		467

Earnings Before Income Taxes		57,362		49,716		40,500
Income Tax Provision		19,330		16,345		13,669

Net Earnings	$	38,032	$	33,371	$	26,831

Earnings Per Share Data:
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.92	$	0.81	$	0.66
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.91	$	0.80	$	0.65
Common shares used for basic earnings per common share		41,226		41,080		40,715
Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted shares and units		669		528		643

Common shares used for diluted earnings per common share		41,895		41,608		41,358

Dividends declared per common share	$	0.76	$	0.76	$	0.76
Anti-dilutive Securities:
Common share options and restricted shares and units		254		320		191

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (dollars in thousands)

Meridian Bioscience, Inc. and Subsidiaries


For the Year Ended September 30,	2013		2012			2011
Net Earnings	$	38,032	$	33,371		$	26,831
Foreign currency translation adjustment		650		(354	)		(206	)

Comprehensive Income	$	38,682	$	33,017		$	26,625

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (dollars in thousands)

Meridian Bioscience, Inc. and Subsidiaries


For the Year Ended September 30,	2013			2012			2011
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net earnings	$	38,032		$	33,371		$	26,831
Non-cash items included in net earnings:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment		3,354			3,490			3,380
Amortization of intangible assets		2,269			2,165			2,321
Amortization of deferred *illumi*gene instrument costs		1,529			942			172
Stock-based compensation		2,502			1,987			2,504
Deferred income taxes		(1,823	)		(1,448	)		(1,218	)
Loss on disposition and write-down of fixed assets and other assets		30			359			446
Change in current assets		(3,486	)		1,234			(10,762	)
Change in current liabilities		2,669			3,216			(570	)
Other, net		(640	)		(2,870	)		(648	)

Net cash provided by operating activities		44,436			42,446			22,456

Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(3,234	)		(3,530	)		(9,139	)
Proceeds from sale of assets		—			400			—
Purchases of intangibles and other assets		(43	)		(1,305	)		(12	)

Net cash used for investing activities		(3,277	)		(4,435	)		(9,151	)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Dividends paid		(31,354	)		(31,226	)		(30,943	)
Proceeds and tax benefits from exercises of stock options		2,752			552			3,423

Net cash used for financing activities		(28,602	)		(30,674	)		(27,520	)

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Equivalents		132			630			(38	)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Equivalents		12,689			7,967			(14,253	)
Cash and Equivalents at Beginning of Period		31,593			23,626			37,879

Cash and Equivalents at End of Period	$	44,282		$	31,593		$	23,626

Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for income taxes	$	20,093		$	16,010		$	17,991

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (dollars in thousands)

Meridian Bioscience, Inc. and Subsidiaries


As of September 30,	2013		2012
Assets
*Current Assets:*
Cash and equivalents	$	44,282	$	31,593
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $233 in 2013 and $574 in 2012		26,183		24,183
Inventories		34,835		31,682
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		4,643		6,203
Deferred income taxes		4,145		2,929

Total current assets		114,088		96,590

*Property, Plant and Equipment, at Cost:*
Land		1,183		1,175
Buildings and improvements		26,848		25,983
Machinery, equipment and furniture		38,502		34,917
Construction in progress		554		1,149

Subtotal		67,087		63,224
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		40,996		37,069

Net property, plant and equipment		26,091		26,155

*Other Assets:*
Goodwill		23,115		23,146
Other intangible assets, net		8,057		10,264
Restricted cash		1,000		1,000
Deferred *illumi*gene instrument costs, net		3,270		3,958
Deferred income taxes		823		—
Other assets		304		268

Total other assets		36,569		38,636

Total assets	$	176,748	$	161,381

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (dollars in thousands)

Meridian Bioscience, Inc. and Subsidiaries


As of September 30,	2013		2012
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
*Current Liabilities:*
Accounts payable	$	5,592	$	5,794
Accrued employee compensation costs		9,670		5,827
Other accrued expenses		5,462		5,247
Income taxes payable		979		1,594

Total current liabilities		21,703		18,462

*Deferred Income Taxes*		—		171
*Commitments and Contingencies*
*Shareholders’ Equity:*
Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued		—		—
Common shares, no par value, 71,000,000 shares authorized, 41,517,839 and 41,284,485 issued		—		—
Additional paid-in capital		107,412		102,443
Retained earnings		46,888		40,210
Accumulated other comprehensive income		745		95

Total shareholders’ equity		155,045		142,748

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	176,748	$	161,381

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)

Meridian Bioscience, Inc. and Subsidiaries


	Common Shares Issued			Additional Paid-in Capital		Retained Earnings			Accum Other Comp Income (Loss)			Total
Balance at September 30, 2010		40,654		$	94,529	$	42,177		$	655		$	137,361

Cash dividends paid—$0.76 per share		—			—		(30,943	)		—			(30,943	)
Exercise of stock options		485			2,977		—			—			2,977
Issuance of restricted shares, net of forfeitures		165			—		—			—			—
Cancellation of restricted shares		(85	)		—		—			—			—
Conversion of restricted stock units		18			—		—			—			—
Stock compensation expense		—			2,504		—			—			2,504
Net earnings		—			—		26,831			—			26,831
Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—		—			(206	)		(206	)

Balance at September 30, 2011		41,237			100,010		38,065			449			138,524

Cash dividends paid—$0.76 per share		—			—		(31,226	)		—			(31,226	)
Exercise of stock options		47			446		—			—			446
Issuance of restricted shares, net of forfeitures		(5	)		—		—			—			—
Conversion of restricted stock units		5			—		—			—			—
Stock compensation expense		—			1,987		—			—			1,987
Net earnings		—			—		33,371			—			33,371
Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—		—			(354	)		(354	)

Balance at September 30, 2012		41,284			102,443		40,210			95			142,748

Cash dividends paid—$0.76 per share		—			—		(31,354	)		—			(31,354	)
Exercise of stock options		226			2,564		—			—			2,564
Conversion of restricted stock units		8			—		—			—			—
Stock compensation expense		—			2,405		—			—			2,405
Net earnings		—			—		38,032			—			38,032
Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—		—			650			650

Balance at September 30, 2013		41,518		$	107,412	$	46,888		$	745		$	155,045

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Meridian Bioscience, Inc. and Subsidiaries

(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a)

Nature of Business - Meridian is a fully-integrated life science company whose principal businesses are (i) the development, manufacture and distribution of diagnostic test kits primarily for certain gastrointestinal, viral, respiratory and parasitic infectious diseases; (ii) the manufacture and distribution of bulk antigens, antibodies, PCR/qPCR reagents, nucleotides, competent cells and bioresearch reagents used by researchers and other diagnostic manufacturers; and (iii) the contract development and manufacture of proteins and other biologicals for use by biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies engaged in research for new drugs and vaccines.

(b)

Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Meridian Bioscience, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Meridian,” “we,” “us,” “our” or “our company” refer to Meridian Bioscience, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

(c)

Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(d)

Foreign Currency Translation - Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated using year-end exchange rates with gains or losses resulting from translation included as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Revenues and expenses are translated using exchange rates prevailing during the year. We also recognize foreign currency transaction gains and losses on certain assets and liabilities that are denominated in the Australian dollar, British pound, Euro and Singapore dollar currencies. These gains and losses are included in other income and expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

(e)

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments - The primary objectives of our investment activities are to preserve capital and provide sufficient liquidity to meet operating requirements and fund strategic initiatives such as acquisitions. We maintain a written investment policy that governs the management of our investments in fixed income securities. This policy, among other things, provides that we may purchase only high credit-quality securities, that have short-term ratings of at least A-2, P-2 and F-2 or better, and long-term ratings of at least A, Baa1 and A or better, by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch, respectively, at the time of purchase. We consider short-term investments with original maturities of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents, including overnight repurchase agreements and institutional money market funds. At times our investments of cash and equivalents with various high credit quality financial institutions may be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance (FDIC) insurance limit.

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Our investment portfolio includes the following components:


	September 30, 2013				September 30, 2012
	Cash and Equivalents		Other		Cash and Equivalents		Other
Overnight repurchase agreements	$	32,103	$	—	$	13,492	$	—
Cash on hand –
Restricted		—		1,000		—		1,000
Unrestricted		12,179		—		18,101		—

Total	$	44,282	$	1,000	$	31,593	$	1,000

(f)

Inventories - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out basis (FIFO) for substantially all of our inventories. illumigene^® instruments are carried in inventory until customer placement, at which time they are transferred to deferred illumigene instrument costs, unless sold outright.

We establish reserves against cost for excess and obsolete materials, finished goods whose shelf life may expire before sale to customers, and other identified exposures. Such reserves were $2,499 and $2,271 at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. We estimate these reserves based on assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual demand and market conditions were to be less favorable than such estimates, additional inventory write-downs would be required and recorded in the period known. Such adjustments would negatively affect gross profit margin and overall results of operations.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, we announced the closure of our Saco, Maine facility, and began the consolidation of manufacturing operations from this facility with our Memphis, Tennessee facility. In connection with this consolidation, inventory write-downs totaling $509 were recorded as cost of sales – plant consolidation during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 in the accompanying consolidation statements of operations.

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(g)

Property, Plant and Equipment - Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Upon retirement or other disposition of property, plant and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in earnings. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method in amounts sufficient to write-off the cost over the estimated useful lives as follows:

Buildings and improvements—18 to 40 years

Machinery, equipment and furniture—3 to 10 years

Computer equipment and software—3 to 5 years

In connection with the consolidation of our Maine facility noted in Note 1 (f) above, the carrying value of certain property, plant and equipment, including the building, was determined to be impaired and a write-down of approximately $210 and $425 was recorded as a component of plant consolidation costs during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, in the accompanying consolidation statements of operations. The building and the property on which it sits have been written down to current value, less selling costs, as determined by an independent outside appraisal.

(h)

Intangible Assets - Goodwill is subject to an annual impairment review (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise) by applying a fair-value based test. Fair value is determined via a market approach from three perspectives. These three perspectives are (i) an allocation of our actual enterprise value (defined as market capitalization plus debt less cash and cash equivalents) to each of the reporting units based on revenue and EBITDA contributions to consolidated results; (ii) an allocation of implied enterprise values to each of our reporting units based on average and median EBITDA multiples from a comparable group of companies; and (iii) a review of enterprise value to EBITDA multiples from recent industry merger and acquisition transactions. We perform our annual impairment review as of June 30, the end of our third fiscal quarter. We have no intangible assets with indefinite lives other than goodwill. There have been no impairments from these analyses for fiscal 2013, 2012 or 2011.

The change in goodwill was a decrease of $31 in fiscal 2013 and an increase of $22 in fiscal 2012. Both years reflect the effect of the Life Science segment’s Bioline Group and the currency translation adjustments thereon.

A summary of Meridian’s acquired intangible assets subject to amortization, as of September 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows.


	2013				2012
As of September 30,	Gross Carrying Value		Accum. Amort.		Gross Carrying Value		Accum. Amort.
Manufacturing technologies, core products and cell lines	$	11,676	$	10,097	$	11,678	$	9,327
Trademarks, licenses and patents		4,748		2,130		4,704		1,616
Customer lists and supply agreements		12,353		8,493		12,360		7,535

	$	28,777	$	20,720	$	28,742	$	18,478

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The actual aggregate amortization expense for these intangible assets for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $2,269, $2,165 and $2,321, respectively. The estimated aggregate amortization expense for these intangible assets for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows: fiscal 2014—$1,471, fiscal 2015—$1,242, fiscal 2016—$916, fiscal 2017—$736 and fiscal 2018—$716.

Long-lived assets, excluding goodwill, are reviewed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that such assets may not be recoverable at their carrying value. Whether an event or circumstance triggers an impairment is determined by comparing an estimate of the asset’s future undiscounted cash flows to its carrying value. If impairment has occurred, it is measured by a fair-value based test.

Our ability to recover our intangible assets, both identifiable intangibles and goodwill, is dependent upon the future cash flows of the related acquired businesses and assets. We make judgments and assumptions regarding future cash flows, including sales levels, gross profit margins, operating expense levels, working capital levels, and capital expenditures. With respect to identifiable intangibles and fixed assets, we also make judgments and assumptions regarding useful lives. See Note 1 (g) regarding impairment write-downs related to the consolidation of our Maine operations.

(i)

Revenue Recognition - Revenue is generally recognized from sales when product is shipped and title has passed to the customer. Revenue for the Diagnostics segment is reduced at the date of sale for product price adjustments due certain distributors under local contracts. Management estimates accruals for distributor price adjustments based on local contract terms, sales data provided by distributors, estimates of inventories of our products held by distributors, historical statistics, current trends, and other factors. Changes to the accruals are recorded in the period that they become known. Such accruals were $3,866 at September 30, 2013 and $3,877 at September 30, 2012, and have been netted against accounts receivable.

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Life Science revenue for contract services may come from research and development services or manufacturing services, including process development work, or a combination of both. Revenue is recognized based on each of the deliverables in a given arrangement having distinct and separate customer pricing. Depending on the nature of the arrangement, revenue is recognized as services are performed and billed, upon completion and acceptance by the customer, or upon delivery of product and acceptance by the customer. In some cases, customers may request that we store, on their behalf, clinical grade biologicals that we produce under contract manufacturing agreements. These cases arise when customers do not have clinical grade storage facilities or do not want to risk contamination during transport. For such cases, revenue may be recognized on a bill-and-hold basis. No such bill-and-hold arrangements existed at September 30, 2013, 2012 or 2011.

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Trade accounts receivable are recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at invoiced amounts less provisions for distributor price adjustments under local contracts and doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents our estimate of probable credit losses and is based on historical write-off experience and known conditions that would likely lead to non-payment. The allowance for doubtful accounts and related metrics, such as days’ sales outstanding, are reviewed monthly. Accounts with past due balances over 90 days are reviewed individually for collectibility. Customer invoices are charged off against the allowance when we believe it is probable that the invoices will not be paid.

(j)

Research and Development Costs - Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. Research and development costs include, among other things, salaries and wages for research scientists, materials and supplies used in the development of new products, costs for development of instrumentation equipment, costs for clinical trials, and costs for facilities and equipment.

(k)

Income Taxes - The provision for income taxes includes federal, foreign, state and local income taxes currently payable and those deferred because of temporary differences between income for financial reporting and income for tax purposes. We prepare estimates of permanent and temporary differences between income for financial reporting purposes and income for tax purposes. These differences are adjusted to actual upon filing of our tax returns, typically occurring in the third and fourth quarters of the current fiscal year for the preceding fiscal year’s estimates.

We account for uncertain tax positions using a benefit recognition model with a two-step approach: (i) a more-likely-than-not recognition criterion; and (ii) a measurement attribute that measures the position as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being ultimately realized upon ultimate settlement. If it is not more likely than not that the benefit will be sustained on its technical merits, no benefit is recorded. We recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits as a portion of our income tax provision in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 5.

(l)

Stock-based Compensation - We recognize compensation expense for all share-based awards made to employees, based upon the fair value of the share-based award on the date of the grant. See Note 6(b).

(m)

Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Comprehensive income (loss) represents the net change in shareholders’ equity during a period from sources other than transactions with shareholders. As reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income, our comprehensive income or loss is comprised of net earnings and foreign currency translation.

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(n)

Shipping and Handling costs - Shipping and handling costs invoiced to customers are included in net sales. Costs to distribute products to customers, including freight costs, warehousing costs, and other shipping and handling activities are included in cost of sales.

(o)

Non-income Government-Assessed Taxes - We classify all non-income, government-assessed taxes (sales, use and value-added) collected from customers and remitted by us to appropriate revenue authorities, on a net basis (excluded from net sales) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

(p)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. ASU No. 2011-04 amends and clarifies the measurement and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC 820, resulting in common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements, clarification of how to apply existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, and changes to certain principles and requirements for measuring fair value and disclosing information about fair value measurements. The new requirements were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company’s adoption of this amended guidance on October 1, 2012 had no material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which amends the disclosure and presentation requirements of Comprehensive Income. Specifically, ASU No. 2011-05 requires that all nonowner changes in shareholders’ equity be presented either in (i) a single continuous statement of comprehensive income; or (ii) two separate but consecutive statements, in which the first statement presents total net income and its components, and the second statement presents total other comprehensive income and its components. The Company adopted these new presentation requirements upon their October 1, 2012 effective date, and has presented Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 that are compliant with the requirements. Adoption of these requirements had no impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which amended goodwill impairment guidance to provide an option for entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. After assessing the totality of events and circumstances, if an entity determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, performance of the two-step impairment test is no longer required. This guidance was effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The Company’s adoption of this guidance effective October 1, 2012 had no impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flow or financial position.

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(q)

Reclassifications - Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior fiscal year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no impact on net earnings or shareholders’ equity.

(2) Inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following:


As of September 30,	2013		2012
Raw materials	$	7,170	$	6,916
Work-in-process		8,585		9,540
Finished goods—*illumi*gene instruments		1,980		2,326
Finished goods—kits and reagents		17,100		12,900

Total	$	34,835	$	31,682

(3) Bank Credit Arrangements

We have a $30,000 credit facility with a commercial bank, which expires in September 2015. This credit facility is collateralized by our business assets, except for those of non-U.S. subsidiaries, which totaled approximately $149,000 at September 30, 2013. There were no borrowings outstanding on this credit facility at September 30, 2013 or September 30, 2012. Available borrowings under this credit facility were $30,000 at September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012. In connection with this bank credit facility, we are required to comply with financial covenants that limit the amount of debt obligations and require a minimum amount of tangible net worth. We are in compliance with all covenants. We are also required to maintain a cash compensating balance with the bank in the amount of $1,000, pursuant to this bank credit facility and are in compliance with this requirement.

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(4) Fair Value Measurements

We use a fair value measurement to value our financial assets and liabilities. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value hierarchy prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels, which are described below:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date for assets and liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, that is, markets in which there are few transactions for the asset or liability, the prices are not current, or price quotations vary substantially either over time or among market makers, or in which little information is released publicly and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs, developed using our estimates and assumptions, which reflect those that the market participants would use. Such inputs are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.

Determining where an asset or liability falls within the hierarchy depends on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole. In determining fair value, we utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible and consider counterparty credit risk in the assessment of fair value.

We had no financial assets or liabilities carried at fair value at September 30, 2013 or 2012 to be classified as Level 1, 2 or 3.

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(5) Income Taxes

(a)	Earnings before income taxes, and the related provision for income taxes for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:


Year Ended September 30,	2013			2012			2011
Domestic	$	53,963		$	44,774		$	37,955
Foreign		3,399			4,942			2,545

Total earnings before income taxes	$	57,362		$	49,716		$	40,500

Provision (credit) for income taxes—
Federal—
Current	$	18,311		$	15,077		$	13,336
Temporary differences
Fixed asset basis differences and depreciation		121			2			(155	)
Intangible asset basis differences and amortization		(339	)		(354	)		(312	)
Currently non-deductible expenses and reserves		(425	)		(397	)		(627	)
Stock-based compensation		(282	)		(599	)		(706	)
Tax credit carryforwards		(717	)		—			—
Other, net		43			74			35

Subtotal		16,712			13,803			11,571
State and local		2,013			1,521			1,213
Foreign		605			1,021			885

Total income tax provision	$	19,330		$	16,345		$	13,669

(b)	The following is a reconciliation between the statutory U.S. income tax rate and the effective rate derived by dividing the provision for income taxes by earnings before income taxes:


Year Ended September 30,	2013					2012					2011
Computed income taxes at statutory rate	$	20,078		35.0	%	$	17,398		35.0	%	$	14,175		35.0	%
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from—
State and local income taxes		1,270		2.2			994		2.0			834		2.1
Net benefit on foreign dividend		(84	)	(0.2	)		(373	)	(0.8	)		—		—
Qualified domestic production incentives		(1,621	)	(2.8	)		(1,226	)	(2.5	)		(1,025	)	(2.5	)
Uncertain tax position activity		(80	)	(0.1	)		(71	)	(0.1	)		(397	)	(1.0	)
Other, net		(233	)	(0.4	)		(377	)	(0.7	)		82		0.2

	$	19,330		33.7	%	$	16,345		32.9	%	$	13,669		33.8	%

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(c)	The components of net deferred tax assets were as follows:


As of September 30,	2013			2012
Deferred tax assets—
Valuation reserves and non-deductible expenses	$	1,784		$	1,575
Stock compensation expense not deductible		3,381			3,067
Net operating loss carryforwards		734			765
Tax credit carryforwards		717			—
Inventory basis differences		1,626			1,376
Other		33			—

Subtotal		8,275			6,783
Less valuation allowance		(296	)		(450	)

Deferred tax assets		7,979			6,333

Deferred tax liabilities—
Fixed asset basis differences and depreciation		(862	)		(761	)
Intangible asset basis differences and amortization		(1,924	)		(2,508	)
Other		(225	)		(306	)

Deferred tax liabilities		(3,011	)		(3,575	)

Net deferred tax assets	$	4,968		$	2,758

For income tax purposes, we have tax benefits related to operating loss carryforwards in the countries of Australia and Belgium. These net operating loss carryforwards have no expiration date. We have recorded deferred tax assets for these carryforwards totaling $734 and $765 at September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively, excluding valuation allowances for Australia in 2013, and Australia and Belgium in 2012.

The realization of deferred tax assets in foreign jurisdictions is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income in these countries. We have considered the levels of currently anticipated pre-tax income in foreign jurisdictions in assessing the required level of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Taking into consideration historical and current operating results, and other factors, we believe that it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax asset for foreign jurisdictions, after consideration of the valuation allowance, which has been established, will be realized. The amount of the net deferred tax asset considered realizable in foreign jurisdictions, however, could be reduced in future years if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced.

Undistributed earnings reinvested indefinitely in our non-U.S. operations were approximately $14,000 at September 30, 2013. U.S. deferred tax liabilities of approximately $1,000 on such earnings, after consideration of foreign tax credits, have not been recorded as of September 30, 2013.

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As described in Note 1, we utilize a comprehensive model for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions, assuming full knowledge of all relevant facts by the applicable tax authorities. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 related to such positions was $208 and $471, respectively, of which the full amounts would favorably affect the effective tax rate if recognized. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of our income tax provision. During fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, we decreased our tax provision by approximately $72 and $18, respectively, for such interest and penalties. We had approximately $30 accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at September 30, 2013 compared to $102 accrued at September 30, 2012. The amount of our liability for uncertain tax positions expected to be paid or settled in the next 12 months is uncertain.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:


	2013			2012
Unrecognized income tax benefits beginning of year	$	471		$	542
Additions for tax positions of prior years		61			159
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(103	)		—
Tax examination and other settlements		(183	)		—
Expirations of statute of limitations		(38	)		(230	)

Unrecognized income tax benefits at end of year	$	208		$	471

We are subject to examination by the tax authorities in the U.S. (both federal and state) and the countries of Australia, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Holland and Italy. In the U.S., open tax years are for fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2012, with the IRS having completed its examination of our federal return for fiscal 2011. In countries outside the U.S., open tax years generally range from fiscal 2008 and forward. However, in Belgium, the utilization of local net operating loss carryforwards extends the statute of limitations for examination well into the foreseeable future.

(6) Employee Benefits

(a)

Savings and Investment Plan - We have a profit sharing and retirement savings plan covering substantially all full-time U.S. employees. Profit sharing contributions to the plan, which are discretionary, are approved by the board of directors. The plan permits participants to contribute to the plan through salary reduction. Under terms of the plan, we match 50% of an employee’s contributions, up to maximum match of 3% of eligible compensation. Our discretionary and matching contributions to the plan amounted to approximately $1,539, $2,033 and $637, during fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

(b)

Stock-Based Compensation Plans - During fiscal 2013, we had two active stock-based compensation plans, the 2004 Equity Compensation Plan, which became effective December 7, 2004, as amended (the “2004 Plan”) and the 2012 Stock Incentive Plan, which became effective January 25, 2012 (the “2012 Plan”). In addition, we have an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESP Plan”), which became effective October 1, 1997. Under the ESP Plan, we sell shares of stock to our full-time and part-time employees up to the number of shares equivalent to a 1% to 15% payroll deduction from an employee’s base salary plus an additional 5% dollar match of this deduction by Meridian.

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Each of the 2004 Plan and 2012 Plan authorized the granting of new shares for options, restricted shares or restricted share units for up to 3,000 shares, with the non-granted portion of the 2004 Plan permitted to be carried forward and added to the 2012 Plan authorized limit. As of September 30, 2013, we have granted 2,256 and 191 shares under the 2004 Plan and 2012 Plan, respectively, thereby resulting in a remaining authorized limit of 3,553 shares. Options may be granted at exercise prices not less than 100% of the closing market value of the underlying common shares on the date of grant and have maximum terms up to ten years. Vesting schedules for options, restricted shares and restricted share units are established at the time of grant and may be set based on future service periods, achievement of performance targets, or a combination thereof. All options contain provisions restricting their transferability and limiting their exercise in the event of termination of employment or the disability or death of the optionee. We recognize compensation expense for all share-based payments made to employees, based upon the fair value of the share-based payment on the date of the grant.

During fiscal 2011, we granted approximately 214 restricted shares and restricted share units (with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $22.93 per share) to certain employees, with half of each employee’s grant being time-vested restricted shares or restricted share units vesting in total on the fourth anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining half being subject to attainment of a specified earnings target for fiscal 2011. While dividend equivalents were paid on these shares and units throughout fiscal 2011, the target for fiscal 2011 was not met and the performance-based portion of the restricted shares and restricted share units granted during fiscal 2011 were cancelled.

During fiscal 2012, we granted approximately 210 restricted share units (with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $17.99 per share) to certain employees, generally with half of each employee’s grant being time-vested restricted share units vesting in total on the fourth anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining half being subject to attainment of a specified earnings target for fiscal 2012. While dividend equivalents were paid on these units throughout fiscal 2012, the target for fiscal 2012 was not met and the performance-based portion of the restricted share units granted during fiscal 2012 were cancelled. Additionally, during fiscal 2012, we granted approximately 110 restricted share units (with a grant date fair value of $17.57 per share) and 1,035 options (with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $4.66 per option, as included in the options table below) to certain executive management employees to incentivize the achievement of Company revenue targets in advance of planned expectations. These awards can only be earned if specified cumulative revenue thresholds are met one fiscal quarter in advance of planned revenue expectations through fiscal 2015, with the three measurement dates for ratably earning one-third of the grant being (i) the 21-month period ending June 30, 2013; (ii) the 33-month period ending June 30, 2014; and (iii) the 45-month period ending June 30, 2015. As a result of the cumulative threshold for the 21-month period ended June 30, 2013 not having been met, one-third of the restricted share units and options granted have been cancelled.

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Similar to previous years, during fiscal 2013, we granted approximately 204 restricted share units (with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $19.38 per share) to certain employees, with half of each employee’s grant being time-vested restricted share units vesting in total on the fourth anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining half being subject to attainment of a specified earnings target for fiscal 2013. While dividend equivalents were paid on these units throughout fiscal 2013, the target for fiscal 2013 was not met and the performance-based portion of the restricted share units granted during fiscal 2013 have been cancelled.

Giving effect to these grants, cancellations and certain other activities for restricted shares and restricted share units throughout the years, including conversions to common shares, forfeitures, and new hire and employee promotion grants, approximately 450 restricted shares and restricted share units remain outstanding as of September 30, 2013, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $19.92 per share, a weighted-average remaining vesting period of 1.75 years and an aggregate intrinsic value of $10,704. The weighted-average grant date fair value of the approximate 15 restricted share units that vested during fiscal 2013 was $21.76 per share.

The amount of stock-based compensation expense reported was $2,502, $1,987 and $2,614 in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The fiscal 2013 expense is comprised of $336 related to stock options, $2,069 related to restricted shares and units, and $97 related to the granting of unrestricted common shares to two executive officers; the fiscal 2012 expense is comprised of $426 related to stock options and $1,561 related to restricted shares and units; and the fiscal 2011 expense is comprised of $495 related to stock options, $2,009 related to restricted shares and units, and $110 related to the granting of unrestricted common shares to a retiring director. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for these stock-based compensation arrangements was $850, $588 and $865, for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, we expect future stock compensation expense for unvested options and unvested restricted stock and units to total $191 and $1,959, respectively, which will be recognized during fiscal years 2014 through 2017.

We recognize compensation expense only for the portion of shares that we expect to vest. As such, we apply estimated forfeiture rates to our compensation expense calculations. These rates have been derived using historical forfeiture data, stratified by several employee groups. During fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, we recorded $93, $73 and $39, respectively, in stock compensation expense to adjust estimated forfeiture rates to actual.

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We have elected to use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine grant-date fair value for stock options, with the following assumptions: (i) expected share price volatility based on the average of Meridian’s historical volatility over the options’ expected lives and implied volatility based on the value of tradable call options; (ii) expected life of options based on contractual lives, employees’ historical exercise behavior and employees’ historical post-vesting employment termination behavior; (iii) risk-free interest rates based on treasury rates that correspond to the expected lives of the options; and (iv) dividend yield based on the expected yield on underlying Meridian common stock.


Year ended September 30,	2013	2012	2011
Risk-free interest rates	0.88%	1.24%	1.91%
Dividend yield	4.1%	3.42%	3.74%
Life of option	6.23 yrs.	6.22 yrs.	5.93 yrs.
Share price volatility	36%	39%	34%
Forfeitures (by employee group)	0%-10%	0%-10%	0%-10%

A summary of the status of our stock option plans at September 30, 2013 and changes during the year is presented in the table and narrative below:


	Options			Wtd Avg Exercise Price		Wtd Avg Remaining Life (Yrs)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding beginning of period		2,026		$	16.93
Grants		66			21.08
Exercises		(225	)		10.03
Forfeitures		(8	)		20.68
Cancellations		(351	)		17.74

Outstanding end of period		1,508		$	17.93		6.11	$	9,486

Exercisable end of period		721		$	17.90		3.87	$	5,017

A summary of the status of our nonvested options as of September 30, 2013, and changes during the year ended September 30, 2013, is presented below:


	Options			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested beginning of period		1,162		$	4.95
Granted		66			4.19
Vested		(88	)		8.07
Forfeitures		(8	)		5.11
Cancelled		(351	)		4.66

Nonvested end of period		781		$	4.66

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The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted was $4.19, $4.68 and $4.97 for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $2,483, $452 and $8,038, for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The total grant-date fair value of options that vested during fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $712, $361 and $1,594, respectively.

Cash received from options exercised was $2,258, $431 and $1,721 for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Tax benefits realized and recorded to additional paid-in capital from option exercises totaled $306, $15 and $1,256 for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

(7) Reportable Segment and Major Concentrations Data

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, we aggregated our Diagnostics operating segments into a single reportable segment, thereby resulting in our reportable segments being Diagnostics and Life Science, with segmentation between the two determined based upon the nature of products and the types of customers. This aggregation in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 is consistent with aggregation criteria and reflects the current manner in which management reviews and manages our business. In addition, we believe that it provides financial statement users with the information most conducive to analyzing and understanding our Company. The prior period information reflected herein has been conformed to the current period presentation.

The Diagnostics segment consists of manufacturing operations in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the sale and distribution of diagnostic test kits domestically and abroad. The Life Science segment consists of manufacturing operations in Memphis, Tennessee; Boca Raton, Florida; London, England; Luckenwalde, Germany; and Sydney, Australia, and the sale and distribution of bulk antigens, antibodies, PCR/qPCR reagents, nucleotides, competent cells and bioresearch reagents domestically and abroad. The Life Science segment also includes the contract development and manufacture of cGMP clinical grade proteins and other biologicals for use by biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies engaged in research for new drugs and vaccines.

Sales to individual customers constituting 10% or more of consolidated net sales are as follows:


Year Ended September 30,	2013				2012				2011
Customer A	$	35,082	(19	)%	$	32,771	(19	)%	$	29,632	(19	)%
Customer B	$	25,457	(13	)%	$	19,903	(12	)%	$	18,308	(11	)%

Accounts receivable from these two Diagnostics distributor customers accounted for 17% and 14% of consolidated accounts receivable at September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively. In addition, approximately 16% of the consolidated accounts receivable balance at September 30, 2013 is largely dependent upon funds from the Italian government. The Company’s international sales totaled $56,224, $54,909, and $54,047 in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Our diagnostic focus product families – C. difficile, foodborne and H. pylori – accounted for 47%, 47% and 44% of consolidated net sales in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We currently sole-source from a U.S. manufacturer the illumipro-10™ instrument on which our illumigene molecular testing platform operates. Additionally, two of our foodborne products sourced from another vendor accounted for 14%, 13% and 12% of third-party sales for our Diagnostics segment in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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Significant sales information by country for the Diagnostics and Life Science segments is as follows. Sales are attributed to the geographic area based on the location to which the product is delivered.


Year Ended September 30,	2013		2012		2011
United States	$	114,935	$	99,998	$	89,078
Italy		7,427		7,473		8,544
United Kingdom		2,141		2,441		2,373
France		1,936		2,149		2,537
Holland		1,764		1,818		2,142
Belgium		1,285		1,271		1,289
Canada		1,248		941		892
Other countries		13,893		14,089		13,578

Total Diagnostics	$	144,629	$	130,180	$	120,433


Year Ended September 30,	2013		2012		2011
United States	$	17,527	$	17,805	$	15,711
Germany		6,465		4,872		4,922
United Kingdom		5,590		5,251		4,890
Australia		3,454		3,423		3,105
France		1,440		1,282		1,111
Other countries		9,581		9,899		8,664

Total Life Science	$	44,057	$	42,532	$	38,403

Identifiable assets for our Italian distribution organization were $10,760 and $12,537 at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. At September 30, 2013, identifiable assets for the Bioline Group’s operations in the U.K., Germany and Australia totaled approximately $14,220, $7,965 and $4,239, respectively; and totaled $13,464, $6,684 and $4,568, respectively, at September 30, 2012.

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Segment information for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:


	Diagnostics		Life Science		Elim (1)			Total
Fiscal Year 2013—
Net sales –
Third-party	$	144,629	$	44,057	$	—		$	188,686
Inter-segment		533		1,223		(1,756	)		—
Operating income		46,735		10,627		(48	)		57,314
Depreciation and amortization		4,328		2,824		—			7,152
Capital expenditures		2,031		1,203		—			3,234
Goodwill		1,250		21,865		—			23,115
Other intangible assets		1,561		6,496		—			8,057
Total assets		112,054		110,111		(45,417	)		176,748
Fiscal Year 2012—
Net sales –
Third-party	$	130,180	$	42,532	$	—		$	172,712
Inter-segment		599		1,097		(1,696	)		—
Operating income (2)		40,648		8,473		175			49,296
Depreciation and amortization		3,732		2,865		—			6,597
Capital expenditures		2,341		1,189		—			3,530
Goodwill		1,250		21,896		—			23,146
Other intangible assets		2,239		8,025		—			10,264
Total assets		96,928		101,706		(37,253	)		161,381
Fiscal Year 2011—
Net sales –
Third-party	$	120,433	$	38,403	$	—		$	158,836
Inter-segment		152		756		(908	)		—
Operating income (3)		37,698		2,595		(260	)		40,033
Depreciation and amortization		2,970		2,903		—			5,873
Capital expenditures		5,041		4,098		—			9,139
Goodwill		1,381		21,743		—			23,124
Other intangible assets		1,604		9,343		—			10,947
Total assets		104,179		92,467		(41,153	)		155,493

(1)	Eliminations consist of intersegment transactions.

(2)	Life Science includes $1,013 related to consolidation of the Maine operations into the Tennessee facility.

(3)	Diagnostics includes $1,240 related to sales and marketing leadership reorganization costs; and Life Science includes $1,057 related to consolidation of the Maine operations into the Tennessee facility.

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A reconciliation of segment operating income to consolidated earnings before income taxes for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:


Year Ended September 30,	2013		2012		2011
Segment operating income	$	57,314	$	49,296	$	40,033
Interest income		44		42		115
Other, net		4		378		352

Consolidated earnings before income taxes	$	57,362	$	49,716	$	40,500

Transactions between segments are accounted for at established intercompany prices for internal and management purposes with all intercompany amounts eliminated in consolidation.

(8) Commitments and Contingencies

(a)

Royalty Commitments - We have entered into various license agreements that require payment of royalties based on a specified percentage of the sales of licensed products (1% to 14%). These royalty expenses are recognized on an as-earned basis and recorded in the year earned as a component of cost of sales. Annual royalty expenses associated with these agreements were approximately $3,611, $3,040 and $1,853, respectively, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

(b)

Purchase Commitments - Excluding the operating lease commitments reflected in Note 8 (c) below, we have purchase commitments primarily for inventory and service items as part of the normal course of business. Commitments made under these obligations are $7,921 and $170 for fiscal 2014 and 2015, respectively. No purchase commitments have been made beyond fiscal 2015.

(c)

Operating Lease Commitments - Meridian and its subsidiaries are lessees of (i) certain office and warehouse buildings in the U.S., Europe and Australia; (ii) automobiles for use by the direct sales forces in the U.S. and Europe; and (iii) certain office equipment such as facsimile and copier machines across all business units, under operating lease agreements that expire at various dates. Amounts charged to expense under operating leases were $1,744, $1,524 and $1,391 for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Operating lease commitments for each of the five succeeding fiscal years are as follows: fiscal 2014—$1,370, fiscal 2015—$922, fiscal 2016—$670, fiscal 2017—$342, and fiscal 2018—$320.

(d)

Litigation - We are a party to various litigation matters from time to time that we believe are in the normal course of business. The ultimate resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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(e)

Indemnifications - In conjunction with certain contracts and agreements, we provide routine indemnifications whose terms range in duration and in some circumstances are not explicitly defined. The maximum obligation under some such indemnifications is not explicitly stated and, as a result of our having no history of paying such indemnifications, cannot be reasonably estimated. We have not made any payments for these indemnifications and no liability is recorded at September 30, 2013 or September 30, 2012. We believe that if we were to incur a loss on any of these matters, the loss would not have a material effect on our financial condition.

(9) Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The sum of the earnings per common share and cash dividends per share may not equal the corresponding annual amounts due to interim quarter rounding.


For the Quarter Ended in Fiscal 2013	December 31			March 31			June 30		September 30
Net sales	$	45,351		$	47,265		$	47,108	$	48,962
Gross profit		28,796			30,743			30,631		30,874
Net earnings		8,474			10,249			10,159		9,150
Basic earnings per common share		0.21			0.25			0.25		0.22
Diluted earnings per common share		0.20			0.24			0.24		0.22
Cash dividends per common share		0.38	*		—	*		0.19		0.19

For the Quarter Ended in Fiscal 2012	December 31			March 31			June 30		September 30
Net sales	$	40,075		$	47,239		$	41,915	$	43,483
Gross profit		24,542			29,548			27,417		27,541
Net earnings		6,578			9,626			8,594		8,573
Basic earnings per common share		0.16			0.23			0.21		0.21
Diluted earnings per common share		0.16			0.23			0.21		0.21
Cash dividends per common share		0.19			0.19			0.19		0.19

As a result of accelerating the declaration and payment of the quarterly cash dividend historically declared and paid during the second quarter of the fiscal year, two quarterly cash dividends were declared and paid during the three months ended December 31, 2012, with none occurring during the three months ended March 31, 2013.

(10) Subsequent Events

We evaluated subsequent events after the balance sheet date of September 30, 2013 and there were no material subsequent events that required recognition or additional disclosure in these financial statements.

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ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS

ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As of September 30, 2013, an evaluation was completed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2013. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation of internal control that occurred during the fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to affect, our internal control over financial reporting, or in other factors that could significantly affect internal control subsequent to September 30, 2013.

Our internal control report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K after Item 8, under the caption “Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.”

ITEM 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

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PART III

The information required by Items 10., 11., 12. (other than that portion set forth below), 13. and 14., of Part III are incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2014 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A.

ITEM 12.

EQUITY COMPENSATION INFORMATION

The following table presents summary information as of September 30, 2013 with respect to all of our equity compensation plans (number of securities information in thousands).


Plan Category	(a) Number of Securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights		(b) Weighted- average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights		(c) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)		1,508	$	17.934		3,553

Total (2)		1,508	$	17.934		3,553

(1)	1996 Stock Option Plan, as amended in 2001

1999 Director’s Stock Option Plan

2004 Equity Compensation Plan, as amended

2012 Stock Incentive Plan

(2)	Weighted-average remaining term of 6.11 years

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ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) (1) and (2) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES.

All financial statements and schedules required to be filed by Item 8 of this Form and included in this report have been so identified under Item 8. No additional financial statements or schedules are being filed since the requirements of paragraph (c) under Item 15 are not applicable to Meridian.

(b) (3) EXHIBITS.


Exhibit Number		Description of Exhibit

3.1		Articles of Incorporation, including amendments not related to Company name change (Incorporated by reference to Registration Statement No. 333-02613 on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 1996 and Meridian’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16, 2007)

3.2		Amended Code of Regulations (Incorporated by reference to Meridian’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2012)

10.1*		Savings and Investment Plan Prototype Adoption Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Meridian’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2003)

10.2*		Supplemental Benefit Agreement between Meridian and John A. Kraeutler, as amended April 24, 2001, December 29, 2008, August 3, 2011 and June 12, 2012 (referred to as the Salary Continuation Agreement prior to June 12, 2012) (Incorporated by reference to Meridian’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 14, 2012)

10.3		Dividend Reinvestment Plan (Incorporated by reference to Meridian’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 1999)

10.4*		Amended and Restated Employment Agreement Dated June 12, 2012 between Meridian and John A. Kraeutler (Incorporated by reference to Meridian’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 14, 2012)

10.5*		Agreement Concerning Disability and Death dated September 10, 2003, between Meridian and William J. Motto (Incorporated by reference to Meridian’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2003)

10.6*		2004 Equity Compensation Plan, amended and restated effective January 25, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Meridian’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period Ended December 31, 2011)

10.7*		2012 Stock Incentive Plan, effective January 25, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Meridian’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period Ended December 31, 2011)

10.8*		Fiscal 2013 Officers’ Performance Compensation Plan (Filed herewith)

10.9		Loan and Security Agreement among Meridian Bioscience, Inc., Meridian Bioscience Corporation, Omega Technologies, Inc. Meridian Life Science, Inc. and Fifth Third Bank dated August 1, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to Meridian’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2007)

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10.9.1		Amended and Restated Revolving Note with Fifth Third Bank dated September 15, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Meridian’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2012)

10.9.2		First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement among Meridian Bioscience, Inc., Meridian Bioscience Corporation, Omega Technologies, Inc., Meridian Life Science, Inc. and Fifth Third Bank dated September 2, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Meridian’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2010)

10.9.3		Second Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement among Meridian Bioscience, Inc., Meridian Bioscience Corporation, Omega Technologies, Inc., Meridian Life Science, Inc. and Fifth Third Bank dated December 1, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Meridian’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2010)

10.9.4		Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement among Meridian Bioscience, Inc., Meridian Bioscience Corporation, Omega Technologies, Inc., Meridian Life Science, Inc. and Fifth Third Bank dated September 15, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Meridian’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2012)

10.10*		Sample Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement dated November 7, 2012 (Filed herewith)

10.11*		Sample Performance Award Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement dated November 7, 2012 (Filed herewith)

10.12*		Meridian Bioscience, Inc. Change in Control Severance Compensation Policy dated March 18, 2011 (Incorporated by reference to Meridian’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 2011)

13		2013 Annual Report to Shareholders (1)

14		Code of Ethics (Incorporated by reference to Meridian’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2003)

21		Subsidiaries of the Registrant (Filed herewith)

23		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Filed herewith)

31.1		Certification of Principal Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) (Filed herewith)

31.2		Certification of Principal Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) (Filed herewith)

32		Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (Filed herewith)

101		The following financial information from Meridian Bioscience Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 filed with the SEC on November 29, 2013, formatted in XBRL includes: (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011; (iv) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013 and 2012; (v) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011; and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

*	Management Compensatory Contracts

(1)	Only specific portions of the 2013 Annual Report to Shareholders are incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K as filed herewith. A supplemental paper copy of the 2013 Annual Report to Shareholders has been furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission for informational purposes only.

Meridian will provide shareholders with any exhibit upon the payment of a specified reasonable fee, which fee shall be limited to Meridian’s reasonable expenses in furnishing such exhibit.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE, INC.

By:		/s/ John A. Kraeutler
Date: November 29, 2013
John A. Kraeutler
Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


Signature	Capacity	Date
/s/ William J. Motto William J. Motto	Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors	November 29, 2013

/s/ John A. Kraeutler John A. Kraeutler	Chief Executive Officer, Director	November 29, 2013

/s/ Melissa A. Lueke Melissa A. Lueke	Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)	November 29, 2013

/s/ James M. Anderson James M. Anderson	Director	November 29, 2013

/s/ David C. Phillips David C. Phillips	Director	November 29, 2013

/s/ Robert J. Ready Robert J. Ready	Director	November 29, 2013

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SCHEDULE II

Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

and Subsidiaries

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

(Dollars in thousands)

Years Ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011


Description	Balance at Beginning of Period		Charged to Costs and Expenses			Deductions			Other (a)			Balance at End of Period
Year Ended September 30, 2013:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	574	$	(116	)	$	(239	)	$	14		$	233
Inventory realizability reserves		2,271		1,132			(938	)		34			2,499
Valuation allowances – deferred taxes		450		150			(289	)		(15	)		296
Year Ended September 30, 2012:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	310	$	370		$	(89	)	$	(17	)	$	574
Inventory realizability reserves		3,175		198			(1,024	)		(78	)		2,271
Valuation allowances – deferred taxes		603		—			(140	)		(13	)		450
Year Ended September 30, 2011:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	241	$	68		$	—		$	1		$	310
Inventory realizability reserves		2,670		1,056			(550	)		(1	)		3,175
Valuation allowances – deferred taxes		439		172			—			(8	)		603

(a)	Balances reflect the effects of currency translation.

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