IDEXX Laboratories Introduces Spec cPL™ Test (canine pancreas-specific lipase) [Trade]

WESTBROOK, Maine, December 13, 2005—There's a new test available through IDEXX Reference Laboratories, a division of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDXX), that helps veterinarians accurately rule in or rule out pancreatitis in dogs. The Spec cPL (canine pancreas-specific lipase) test is highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of pancreatitis. This disease can be life-threatening, but is often difficult to diagnose because pets often present with common, non-specific clinical signs; vomiting, abdominal pain and anorexia, and currently available diagnostic tests are limited in their ability to detect this disease.

Recognizing the challenges of diagnosing pancreatitis and the need for rapid and accurate diagnosis, Drs. Jörg Steiner and David Williams, veterinarians at the Gastrointestinal Laboratory (GI Lab) at Texas A&M University, developed the canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) assay. The Spec cPL assay represents a two-year collaboration between IDEXX and Drs. Steiner and Williams, to enhance cPLI assay and make it more readily available to veterinarians across the country.

For decades, serum amylase and lipase activities have been used to diagnose canine pancreatitis, with a sensitivity of approximately 50%. Also, about half of patients with elevated serum amylase and/or lipase do not have pancreatitis, as both enzymes are affected by other non-pancreatic conditions such as kidney or liver disease or administration of corticosteroids such as prednisone. The advantage of these traditional tests is that they can be performed quickly in the practice with the IDEXX VetTest® Chemistry Analyzer while waiting for a more definitive reference laboratory result from Spec cPL, to help confirm the diagnosis.

"The new refined assay, Spec cPL, relies on the same concept of an immunoassay as cPLI, to measure the concentration of pancreas-specific lipase in the blood," said IDEXX Worldwide Pathology Chief Dr. Roberta Relford. "However, the Spec cPL assay provides enhanced results using monoclonal antibody and recombinant antigen technology. Until now, practitioners have been challenged by the lack of a specific and sensitive diagnostic for this disease and we're excited to offer them exactly that with our new test."

"This new assay performs similarly to the original serum cPLI assay, and given its improved stability and speed of performance, we have decided to utilize this new test in our GI Lab," said Dr. Steiner.

For more information on the Spec cPL assay, please call IDEXX Reference Laboratories at 1-888-433-9987 or visit www.idexx.com/speccpl.

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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