Christian Leutenegger, DrVetMed, PhD, Joins IDEXX to Manage New Real-Time PCR Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory [Trade]
The new specialized laboratory will offer affordable Real-Time PCR panels to veterinary practices

Westbrook, Maine, March 5, 2007—IDEXX Reference Laboratories, a division of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ:IDXX), announced the addition of Christian M. Leutenegger, DrVetMed, PhD, FVH, as Lead Scientist for IDEXX’s new Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory in IDEXX’s Sacramento, California facility. Dr. Leutenegger is leading a team dedicated exclusively to developing Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction¹ (Real-Time PCR) diagnostic services for veterinary practitioners. With this new lab, IDEXX will be providing high-quality PCR diagnostics with rapid turnaround times.

Before joining IDEXX, Dr. Leutenegger directed the Lucy Whittier Molecular & Diagnostic Core Facility at the University of California, Davis, where he was responsible for project acquisition and management, assay product development and validation. Under his direction, the UC Davis facility offered research and diagnostic services for molecular diagnostics coupled with specialty applications such as laser capture microdissection and sensitivity-enhanced protocols for virus load determination in human and veterinary research.

“We’re very excited to welcome Dr. Leutenegger to IDEXX, because his in-depth knowledge of probe-based Real-Time PCR and laboratory integration will bring IDEXX to the forefront of molecular diagnostic services,” stated Scott Hamilton, Vice President and General Manager, IDEXX Reference Laboratories. “This will also provide our customers with improved access to an advanced level of information, helping them move through their differential diagnoses more efficiently and effectively.”

IDEXX Reference Laboratories is the first veterinary-specific laboratory in the U.S. to develop improved throughput Real-Time PCR testing capability, delivering fast results on these highly specialized tests. The Real-Time PCR methodology has become a gold standard in research and commercial applications. Currently, the majority of PCR testing for companion animals is performed at university and private laboratories. IDEXX’s Real-Time PCR testing will provide veterinarians with an alternative to the limitations of traditional PCR testing. Real-Time PCR is technologically superior to traditional PCR testing with respect to sensitivity, specificity, speed and minimal contamination.

IDEXX anticipates that it will begin offering Real-Time PCR diagnostic services by late spring. For more information, call 1-888-433-9987 (Option 1), extension 72736.

About Christian Leutenegger,
DrVetmed, PhD
Dr. Leutenegger directed the Lucy Whittier Molecular & Diagnostic Core Facility at the University of California, Davis, where he was responsible for project acquisition and management, assay product development and validation. Under his direction, the UC Davis facility offered research and diagnostic services for molecular diagnostics coupled with specialty applications such as laser capture microdissection and sensitivity-enhanced protocols for virus load determination in human and veterinary research. Prior to UC Davis, he spent seven years researching and developing DNA vaccines and diagnostic assays at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. In 1992, Dr. Leutenegger graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Zurich, where he also completed his DrVetMed in 1995. In 1998, he earned his PhD in Molecular Virology and Immunology from the University of Bern, Switzerland and, in 2001, was named a specialist in Veterinary Laboratory Medicine by the Swiss Veterinary Association.

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 pharmaceuticals. IDEXX products enhance the ability of veterinarians to provide advanced medical care and to build more economically successful practices. Headquartered in Westbrook, Maine, IDEXX Laboratories operates numerous veterinary reference laboratories in nine countries and offers its products to customers in over 100 countries.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements about the Company’s business prospects that are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's expectations of future events as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments. Actual results could differ materially from management’s expectations. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the following: the Company’s ability to develop, manufacture, introduce and market new products and enhancements to existing products; the effectiveness of the Company’s sales and marketing activities; the Company’s ability to develop, license or obtain rights to new technologies; the Company’s ability to identify acquisition opportunities, complete acquisitions and integrate acquired businesses; the impact of competition and technological change on the markets for the Company’s products; the effect of government regulation on the Company’s business, including government decisions about whether and when to approve the Company’s products and decisions regarding labeling, manufacturing and marketing products; the impact of distributor purchasing decisions on sales of our products that are sold through distribution; changes or trends in veterinary medicine that affect the rate of use of the Company’s products and services by veterinarians; the Company’s ability to obtain patent and other intellectual property protection for its products, successfully enforce its intellectual property rights and defend itself against third party claims against the Company; disruptions, shortages or pricing changes that affect the Company’s purchases of products and materials from third parties, including from sole source suppliers; the effects of government regulatory decisions, customer demand, pricing and other factors on the realizability of the Company’s inventories; the Company’s ability to manufacture complex biologic products; the effects of operations outside the U.S., including from currency fluctuations, different regulatory, political and economic conditions, and different market conditions; and the loss of key employees. A further description of these and other factors can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (623 KB), in the section captioned "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

1. Real-Time PCR, released in 1996 by Applied Biosystems (Foster City, CA), is a fully standardized and quantitative PCR platform with a high degree of automation, standardization and safety. The PCR methodology was discovered in 1983 by Kary B. Mullis, who subsequently received a shared Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Michael Smith in 1993.

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