Quidel Corporation (JOBS) Announces Launch of Their MicroVue(R) C5a EIA Kit for Research Use Only

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SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Quidel Corporation, a leading provider of rapid point-of-care diagnostic tests, today announced the launch of their MicroVue® C5a EIA Kit for Research Use Only. The most recent addition to Quidel’s Specialty Products Group Complement Line, MicroVue C5a allows for the rapid, quantitative detection of C5a, an anaphylaxatoxin and potent mediator of inflammation. The test is not for use in diagnostic procedures; it is intended for use in the research environment. As a product of activation of the terminal pathway of complement, C5a measurements are often included in research concerning hemocompatibility of biomaterials,1 inflammation associated with myocardial and other organ infarcts,2,3 and kidney disease.4 It also may play a role in autoimmune and infectious diseases.5,6

The Complement System is a plasma-based protein cascade and functions as a highly regulated and effective part of the immune system in the presence or absence of antibody. It plays a critical role in the defense against microbial infection, facilitates clearance of cellular debris, and is an important mediator of the local inflammatory response. Research in the complement system has driven demand for an easy to use tool for assessing C5a levels.

"Through our Specialty Products Group, Quidel has been a leader in the highly specialized niche field of complement research for many years. We believe that the MicroVue C5a assay fills an important market need and is an important addition to this product line," said Douglas Bryant, president and chief executive officer of Quidel.

"Researchers who use our other MicroVue complement products have been requesting that Quidel provide the same simple format, easy-to-use, EIA test for the detection of C5a. We are pleased to provide this test so that our customers worldwide have robust and validated life science research tools to explore this important field," said Bryant.

About Quidel

Quidel Corporation serves to enhance the health and well being of people around the globe through the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of rapid diagnostic solutions at the point of care (POC) in infectious diseases and reproductive health. Marketed under the leading brand name of QuickVue®, Quidel’s portfolio of products currently includes tests that aid in the diagnosis of several disease or condition states, including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, Fecal Occult Blood, Strep A, pregnancy, H. pylori and Chlamydia. Quidel's products are sold to healthcare professionals with a focus on the physician office lab and acute care markets through leading medical distribution partners on a worldwide basis. Quidel's Specialty Products Group (SPG) develops research products in the fields of oncology and bone health with potential future point-of-care applications. By building value in rapid diagnostic tests, Quidel provides leadership to the industry and among healthcare professionals allowing for the movement of patient testing out of the central laboratory setting and into the physician office, urgent care and other outpatient settings where rapid testing and treatment have an impact on clinical outcomes and provide an economic benefit. For more information, visit www.quidel.com, www.colorectal-test.com, www.rsvtesting.com and www.flutest.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws that involve material risks, assumptions and uncertainties. Many possible events or factors could affect our future financial results and performance, such that our actual results and performance may differ materially. As such, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Differences in actual results and performance may arise as a result of a number of factors including, without limitation, seasonality, the timing of onset, length and severity of cold and flu seasons, the level of success in executing our strategic initiatives, uncertainty surrounding the detection of novel influenza viruses involving human specimens, adverse changes in the competitive and economic conditions in domestic and international markets, actions of our major distributors, technological changes and uncertainty with research and technology development, including any future molecular-based technology, the reimbursement system currently in place and future changes to that system, manufacturing and production delays or difficulties, adverse actions or delays in product reviews by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, intellectual property, product liability, environmental or other litigation, required patent license fee payments not currently reflected in our costs, potential inadequacy of booked reserves and possible impairment of goodwill, and lower-than-anticipated sales or market penetration of our new products. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by the use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “might,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. The risks described under “Risk Factors” in reports and registration statements that we file with the SEC from time to time should be carefully considered. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s analysis only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the results of any revision or update of the forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

1 Rinder CS, HM Rinder, et al “Selective blockage of membrane attack complex formation during simulated extracorporeal circulation inhibits platelet but not leukocyte activation” J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 118(3) 460-466 (1999).

2 Langlois PF, Gawryl MS, (1988) “Detection of the terminal complement complex in patient plasma following acute myocardial infarction” Atherosclerosis 70:95-105.

3 Arumugam TV, Tang SC, et al (2007) “Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) protects the brain against experimental stroke by preventing complement-mediated neuronal cell death” PNAS 104(35) 14104-14109.

4 Sheerin NS, Sacks SH, (2002) “Leaked protein and interstitial damage in the kidney: is complement the missing link” Clin Exp Immunol 130:1-3.

5 A. Conroy et al. “C5a Enhances Dysregulated Inflammatory and Angiogenic Responses to Malaria In Vitro: Potential Implications for Placental Malaria.” PLoS ONE 4(3) 2009: e4953. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0004953.

6 Guo RF, Sun L, et al (2006) “In vivo regulation of neutrophil apoptosis by C5a during sepsis” J. Leukoc. Biol 801575-1583.

Contact:

Quidel Corporation John M. Radak, 858-646-8032 Chief Financial Officer or Debora Demarest, 858-552-1208 ddemarest@quidel.com or Burns McClellan Justin Jackson, 212-213-0006 jjackson@burnsmc.com

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