IDEXX Launches the Quanti-Disc® Reader for Total Viable Counts [Trade]

Westbrook, Maine, October 9, 2006—IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDXX), announced today that its Water Microbiology division launched the Quanti-Disc® Reader for the Quanti-Disc® test, a groundbreaking new method for testing Total Viable Counts (TVC) in water. The extremely easy, rapid Quanti-Disc method produces results that correlate with the International Standard ISO 6222 Yeast Extract Agar pour plate method incubated at 36° ± 2° C for two days or at 22° C ± 2° C for three days. The new Quanti-Disc Reader further simplifies testing by increasing ease-of-use and accuracy.

With automated reading and recording of results, the Quanti-Disc Reader eliminates any subjective results interpretation and allows laboratories to read a high number of samples in a short amount of time. The Quanti-Disc Reader also improves accuracy by enabling sample bar coding, recording and storage of test results, and integration into a laboratory information management system (LIMS).

Used to monitor bacterial growth trends in water samples, the Quanti-Disc test is a ready-to-use method designed to streamline laboratory workflow by eliminating the need for agar preparation, glassware and autoclaves. Running a Quanti-Disc involves just three steps—pipetting, incubation and reading—taking less than 15 seconds hands-on time. This unprecedented simplicity of operation and readability can increase productivity while minimizing training requirements.

According to Andrew Headland, IDEXX European Business Manager, the Quanti-Disc was developed with considerable feedback from UK laboratories. He explained that large labs are attracted to the product’s potential to dramatically streamline operations associated with TVC testing in drinking water. For example, the use and maintenance of automated plate pourers can be eliminated, as well as the wait for agar plates to gel. This creates the flexibility to run TVC samples concurrently with coliform tests, as opposed to batching them to create efficiencies for an automatic pourer. For small laboratories, the elimination of media preparation means that technicians can run a TVC test at any time.

“We are delighted to offer a radical change in the way water testing labs conduct TVCs. The Quanti-Disc/Quanti-Disc Reader method is simple, quick and removes the subjectivity traditionally associated with counting spreader and pinpoint colonies,” Headland said. “Additionally, the need for Quality Control (QC) procedures is greatly reduced. Labs that make up their own media from scratch each day need to carry out QC tests on every batch, while a lab that purchases the Quanti-Disc platform need perform QC only once per lot to validate the product’s performance.”

IDEXX Laboratories entered the water market in 1993 with Colilert®, its leading coliform and E. coli test, which is now used more than any other method for coliform and E. coli testing combined in the U.S., Canada and Japan. The IDEXX Water Microbiology division is now the world's leading provider of cutting-edge drinking water microbiology test kits—delivering easy, rapid, accurate and cost-effective test solutions to the world's water industry. IDEXX products test for key drinking water microbiological analytes, including coliforms, E. coli, Enterococci, Heterotrophic Plate Counts, Cryptosporidium, Giardia and a chemical reagent to determine the amount of chlorine in drinking water. IDEXX coliform tests are the only commercial microbiological methods to be included in the “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 21st Edition,” which is a joint publication of the American Public Health Association (APHA), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), and the Water Environment Federation (WEF).

For more information on the Quanti-Disc® Reader and test or any other IDEXX water microbiology product, visit www.idexx.com/water or call Customer Service at 00-800-4339-9111.

About IDEXX Laboratories
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a leader in companion animal health, serving practicing veterinarians around the world with innovative, technology-based offerings, including a broad range of diagnostic products and services, practice-management systems and therapeutics. Our products enhance the ability of veterinarians to provide advanced medical care and to build more economically successful practices. IDEXX is also a worldwide leader in providing diagnostic tests and information for the production animal industry and tests for the quality and safety of water and milk. Headquartered in Westbrook, Maine, IDEXX Laboratories employs more than 3,000 people and offers products to customers in over 100 countries.

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