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Quidel Launches rsvtesting.com; Web Site Delivers Practical Information on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

^{Published on 2009-01-19 07:17:11, Last Modified on 2009-01-19 07:18:46 - Market Wire}
 

SAN DIEGO--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Quidel Corporation (NASDAQ:QDEL), a leading provider of rapid point-of-care diagnostic tests, today announced the launch of rsvtesting.com -- a Web site dedicated to the latest information about RSV, including risk factors, symptoms and rapid diagnostic testing.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common virus that causes cold-like symptoms. Almost all children are infected by RSV within their first two years of age.¹ Despite the prevalence, RSV is less well known than Influenza. Studies using rapid RSV testing have helped make healthcare officials more aware of the variability of the RSV season in various geographic areas.²

"We felt it was important to highlight the very critical role rapid RSV testing may have this RSV season. We take very seriously our responsibility as an innovator and market leader in point-of-care infectious disease testing to provide timely educational outreach," said Caren L. Mason, president and chief executive officer of Quidel. "Our CLIA-waived QuickVue® RSV test supports the physician in making a faster diagnosis in a single office visit."

The site features many tools to help consumers understand RSV, including:

• RSV Facts – Information about the virus and treatments available.
• Glossary – Terms can easily be understood by simply rolling the mouse over the highlighted term.
• RSV Testing – An information sheet is available to help educate consumers about RSV.

Each year in the United States, RSV is responsible for 73,400 to 126,300 hospitalizations for [ bronchiolitis ] and [ pneumonia ] among children younger than one year.³ For children hospitalized with an RSV infection, it is believed to be the most common viral cause of death in children younger than five years, particularly in children younger than one year.⁴ In most cases, RSV may resemble the common cold. However, some babies and children may have an increased risk for developing serious complications. Recent studies also suggest that there is an association between RSV-induced [ bronchiolitis ] and childhood [ asthma ].⁵

About Quidel Corporation

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, bacterial vaginosis, 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 has an impact on clinical outcomes and provides an economic benefit. For more information, visit [ www.flutest.com ], [ www.quidel.com ], or [ www.colorectal-test.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, the cutoffs selected in connection with the quantitative laboratory method ultimately do not correlate with larger population size or alternate testing methods, seasonality, the timing of onset, length and severity of cold and flu seasons, 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 and the level of success in our recent distributor incentive programs, 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 (the "FDA"), 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.

¹ Children, Youth and Women's Health Service, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, [ http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=303&id=1997 ].

² Brief Report: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Activity --- United States, July 2007—December 2008, [ http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/previewmmwrhtml/mm5750a3.htm ].

³ Shay, D.K. et al., Bronchiolitis-Associated Hospitalizations Among US Children, 1980-1996. JAMA. 1999;282:1440-1446.

⁴ Thompson, W.W. et al., Mortality Associated With Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus in the United States, JAMA. 2003;289:179-186.

⁵ Mohapatra, S and Boyapalle, S., Epidemiologic, Experimental and Clinical Links between Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection and Asthma. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, July 2008, p. 495-504, Vol 21, No. 3.