Hank Nordhoff to Retire from Gen-Probe

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Gen-Probe Incorporated (NASDAQ: GPRO) announced today that long-time chairman Hank Nordhoff has informed the board that he plans to retire at the end of 2011, and that the board has elected Carl Hull, the Company's president and chief executive officer (CEO), to succeed him.

Mr. Nordhoff led Gen-Probe as president and CEO from 1994 through 2009, and since then has been non-executive chairman of the board.  He will serve as a consultant to the board until the end of 2012.  "The Company and the board profoundly appreciate Hank's leadership over the past 17 years, as he guided Gen-Probe through a period of very significant growth, and we wish him all the best in his retirement," said Armin Kessler, Gen-Probe's lead independent director and former chief operating officer of Hoffman-La Roche. 

Mr. Hull joined the Company in 2007 as executive vice president and chief operating officer, was promoted to president in 2008, and was appointed CEO in 2009.  "Carl has demonstrated that he is well qualified to lead the Company and the board in the future, and we are delighted to welcome him as chairman," Mr. Kessler said.

About Gen-Probe
Gen-Probe is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of rapid, accurate and cost-effective molecular diagnostic products and services that are used primarily to diagnose human diseases, screen donated human blood, and ensure transplant compatibility. Gen-Probe is headquartered in San Diego and employs approximately 1,400 people. For more information, go to http://www.gen-probe.com.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this news release about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are forward-looking statements.  These statements are often made through the use of words or phrases such as believe, will, expect, anticipate, estimate, intend, plan and would.  For example, statements concerning possible or expected results of operations, the development and commercialization of new products, regulatory approvals, future sales, growth opportunities, and plans of management are all forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance.  They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied.  Some of these risks include: i) the risk that the Company will not be able to retain and attract key executives.  This list includes some, but not all, of the factors that could affect our ability to achieve results described in any forward-looking statements.  For additional information about risks and uncertainties and a discussion of our financial statements and footnotes, see documents we file with the SEC.  We assume no obligation and expressly disclaim any duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect subsequent events.

Contact:
Michael Watts
Vice president, investor relations and
corporate communications
858-410-8673

SOURCE Gen-Probe Incorporated