IDEXX Laboratories Launches Diagnostic Kit for Chronic Wasting Disease

"We're pleased to offer a second-generation product that sets a new standard with its combination of performance and ease of use," said Dr. Quentin Tonelli, Corporate Vice President.

The IDEXX HerdChek CWD Test Kit utilizes a novel Seprion ligand capture technology licensed from Microsens Biotechnologies that allows for a greatly simplified procedure compared to existing products on the market. Laboratory personnel simply need to homogenize the sample, dilute an aliquot and run the assay. There is no need for additional equipment, the test is performed at room temperature and results are available in less than 3.5 hours.

The new microtiter strip plate package with five plates and 460 tests is available for sale to approved laboratories on December 1. To order the new IDEXX HerdChek CWD Antigen Test Kit, please call IDEXX at 1-800-548-9997.

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., is a worldwide leader in the development and commercialization of innovative, technology-based products and services for animal health. The Company's largest business is focused on companion animal health, combining biotechnology, medical device technology and information technology to aid veterinarians in providing better medicine while building successful practices. IDEXX Laboratories is also focused on employing innovative technologies to monitor production animal health and the safety and quality of drinking water and milk. Headquartered in Westbrook, Maine, IDEXX Laboratories employs over 2,400 people and offers products to customers in more than 100 countries.

Microsens Biotechnologies is a scientific research and licensing company founded in 1998 to develop technologies for the rapid and sensitive detection of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) and other related protein aggregation diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease—collectively known as the "protein conformation disorders." Based at the London Bioscience Innovation Centre, the company operates a dedicated category 3 level containment facility capable of handling bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), Scrapie, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (CJD) infected materials.

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations of future events, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from management's expectations. Risks and uncertainties include timing and success of new product introductions, competition and technological change, government regulation and obtaining government approvals, product demand and market acceptance, availability of products and raw materials, and litigation. A further description of these risks and uncertainties and other factors can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (PDF, 350 KB) and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 (PDF, 2,277 KB), in the section captioned "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.