IDEXX Laboratories Announces New Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Test Kit [Trade]

WESTBROOK, Maine, October 27, 2009—IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. announces the new IDEXX HerdChek* PRRS X3 Antibody Test Kit for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). This new indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detects PRRS in plasma or serum with 99.9% specificity and 98.8% sensitivity. The test also reduces false-positive singleton reactors by 90%. This performance gives laboratories and veterinarians a more reliable and efficient way to accurately diagnose PRRS prevalence. HerdChek PRRS X3 is available in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Launch in the United States is planned for mid-2010.

"By delivering unprecedented specificity and with fewer false positives, the HerdChek PRRS X3 test lets laboratories run more smoothly without needing to plan their schedule around confirmation tests," says Frank Winslow, Senior Manager, Worldwide Marketing with IDEXX. "Such a dramatic reduction in the frequency of confirmatory testing also means veterinarians can get reliable results more quickly—so they can provide faster diagnoses and help their customers make more confident, informed decisions about herd health."

The HerdChek PRRS X3 Antibody Test Kit identifies both European and U.S. PRRS strains. For more information or to order the new IDEXX HerdChek* PRRS X3 Antibody Test Kit, please contact IDEXX Customer Service at 31-23-558-70-00 or 00-800-727-43399 (EU), e-mail pasweb@idexx.com, or visit www.idexx.com/prrsx3.

About IDEXX Production Animal Segment 

IDEXX Laboratories is the worldwide leader in production animal services. For nearly 25 years, IDEXX has delivered trusted, proven diagnostics and equipment that ensure the safety of the global supply of production animals. The IDEXX worldwide-distributed portfolio of production animal products addresses more than 50 pathologies affecting bovine, small ruminant, equine, porcine and poultry populations.

About IDEXX Laboratories 

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a leader in pet healthcare innovation, serving practicing veterinarians around the world with a broad range of diagnostic and information technology-based products and services. IDEXX products enhance the ability of veterinarians to provide advanced medical care, improve staff efficiency 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 Maine, IDEXX Laboratories employs more than 4,700 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 manufacture complex biologic products; and 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. 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, 2008 (PDF) and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 (PDF) in the section captioned "Risk Factors."