IDEXX Laboratories Introduces the Catalyst One™ Chemistry Analyzer

WESTBROOK, Maine, Jan. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDXX) announces a significant new addition to its leading line of point-of-care instruments, the Catalyst One™ Chemistry Analyzer. Engineered to deliver the same laboratory-quality results and real-time work-flow as the high-throughput model Catalyst Dx^® Chemistry Analyzer, the Catalyst One Chemistry Analyzer offers practices an attractive in-house chemistry option for when a single sample drawer meets work-flow requirements.

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On display this month at the 2014 North American Veterinary Conference and available to order in February, the Catalyst One analyzer is also the industry's first to combine chemistry, electrolytes and total T₄ in a single sample run—a diagnostic breakthrough that gives veterinarians significantly greater clinical insight for their patients during the client visit.

"The Catalyst One Chemistry Analyzer is proof of our commitment to bring comprehensive, reference laboratory-quality chemistry to the point-of care through solutions that are suited to both small and large practices, globally," said Jonathan W. Ayers, President and Chief Executive Officer, IDEXX Laboratories. "With the same leading diagnostic capabilities and breadth of testing options as the Catalyst Dx Chemistry Analyzer, the Catalyst One analyzer offers veterinarians unprecedented value and performance for real-time chemistry testing."

Boasting greater than 40% lower manufacturing costs than Catalyst Dx, the Catalyst One Chemistry Analyzer joins the Catalyst Dx Chemistry Analyzer and VetTest^® Chemistry Analyzer as part of the range of comprehensive and integrated point-of-care and reference laboratory diagnostics known as the IDEXX Diagnostic Advantage.

"IDEXX has placed more than 12,000 Catalyst Dx analyzers since its introduction in 2008. In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company continued to build its global installed base of chemistry systems with placement of over 800 Catalyst Dx systems, a 10% growth over the fourth quarter of 2012, above our expectations for this instrument going into the quarter," said Ayers. "The appealing economics of the Catalyst One analyzer will open up IDEXX's leading edge Catalyst^® technology to additional veterinary clinics worldwide."

Ordering for the Catalyst One Chemistry Analyzer starts in February with placements in North America expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2014. IDEXX will also have special introductory offers in North America for the Catalyst One analyzer starting this quarter, including a program that loans customers who purchase a Catalyst One, a Catalyst Dx, until IDEXX is able to deliver to them the Catalyst One analyzer. Details will be announced in February. Both the Catalyst One and T₄ slide launch were assumed in the 2014 preliminary guidance provided at the time of IDEXX's third quarter 2013 earnings release issued on October 22, 2013.

"Importantly, we will be introducing the T₄ slide that can be added to any sample run," continued Ayers. "This new consumable will further simplify practice work-flow and reduce the cost to provide a complete chemistry solution by substituting for the SNAPshot Dx^® Analyzer for in-house thyroid testing."

IDEXX expects to introduce the T₄ slide and its integrated work-flow advantages to its entire base of Catalyst Dx analyzer customers in early 2015, further demonstrating the commitment IDEXX has made to veterinarians who have invested in the high-throughput Catalyst Dx analyzer.

"Total T₄ testing is essential to assessing thyroid function," said Tina Hunt, Senior Director, IDEXX VetLab^® Chemistry. "Because of its diagnostic utility and incidence of thyroid disease in middle-aged and older pets, total T₄ testing has become an accepted standard for baseline testing for both sick pets and preventive care in senior pets. Now, with the ability to determine a patient's total T₄ levels at the point-of-care from the same sample run as chemistry and electrolytes, the Catalyst One and Catalyst Dx analyzers will make practicing the highest-quality medicine even more simple and efficient in a real time setting."

Both the Catalyst One analyzer and Catalyst Dx analyzer include onboard whole blood separation and pipetting for work-flow efficiency, and both leverage the same proven IDEXX dry-slide technology, comprehensive menu of 30 different tests for blood and urine, including fructosamine and phenobarbital, and preloaded slide CLIPs for easy, efficient test profile customization. Used with the IDEXX VetLab^® Station, both analyzers also provide access to the complete range of fully integrated IDEXX diagnostic solutions and services, including providing results immediately through IDEXX VetConnect^® PLUS, a free mobile and cloud-based diagnostic service.

About IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
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 livestock and poultry diagnostic tests and tests for the quality and safety of water and milk. Headquartered in Maine, IDEXX Laboratories employs more than 5,500 people and offers products to customers in more than 175 countries.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains or may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expects," "may," "anticipates," "intends," "would," "will," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "should," and similar words and expressions.  These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events.  These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements because actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied.  The reports filed by the Company pursuant to United States securities laws contain discussions of these risks and uncertainties. The Company assumes no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Readers are advised to review the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (which are available from the SEC's EDGAR database at www.sec.gov/, at various SEC reference facilities in the United States and via the Company's website at www.idexx.com).

Contact: Ed Garber, Director, Investor Relations, 1-207-556-8155

SOURCE IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.