New IDEXX BSE-Scrapie Test Is USDA- and EU-Approved [Trade]

The IDEXX HerdChek® BSE-Scrapie Test Kit is an antigen-capture enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for detection of the abnormal conformer of the prion protein (PrP^Sc). The kit detects abnormal prions from postmortem tissues in cattle and small ruminants. The kit is intended for veterinary use and is only available for sale and distribution outside the United States.

Nevena Djuranovic, product manager, IDEXX Production Animal Services, states, "The IDEXX BSE-scrapie EIA has the same components as the IDEXX BSE EIA, but with an additional small-ruminant conjugate. In addition to the kit's excellent sensitivity and specificity, the IDEXX BSE-scrapie EIA provides a rapid and reliable method for screening large numbers of bovine and small-ruminant (sheep and goat) samples with a single test kit. This convenient format allows for a streamlined sample flow in the laboratory."

To order IDEXX HerdChek BSE-Scrapie Test Kits or for more information, contact your IDEXX sales representative or IDEXX Customer Support—in Canada: 1-800-548-9997, in Europe: 00-800-727-43399.

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.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements about the Company's business prospects and estimates of the Company's financial results for future periods 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, 2005 (1.5 MB), in the section captioned "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

HerdChek is a trademark or registered trademark of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries.