SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - Mar 12, 2013) -  Quidel Corporation (NASDAQ: [ QDEL ]), a leading provider of rapid diagnostic testing solutions and cell-based virology assays, announced today that it has received 510(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Quidel Molecular RSV + hMPV assay for the detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV). 

The assay distinguishes between RSV and hMPV, two different viruses that cause respiratory infections with very similar symptoms. The FDA's 510(k) clearance grants Quidel authorization to market its Quidel Molecular RSV + hMPV assay in the United States. The product launched in Europe shortly after receiving the CE Mark in March of 2012.

"RSV and hMPV infections are relatively common diseases among children, and the symptoms can be indistinguishable from each other. Often, these infections can mimic flu-like illness, and can cause ambiguity in assigning a course of treatment," said Dr. Timothy Stenzel, M.D., Ph.D., chief scientific officer of Quidel. "For these reasons, a duplex test such as the RSV + hMPV assay can prove to be very valuable."

This is one of several forthcoming assays from Quidel's expanding molecular diagnostics programs. The Quidel Molecular product line offers PCR reagent kits for use by molecular diagnostic laboratories with their existing molecular testing infrastructure, such as Life Technologies' Applied Biosystems® 7500 Fast DX thermocycler. These reagents provide attractive features that include simple transport and refrigerated storage (no freezer required), convenient workflow, a short time to result, and other benefits that favorably affect diagnostic test outcome. Because they share a common extraction protocol, the RSV + hMPV assay can be batched alongside other Quidel Molecular assays, such as Influenza A+B PCR assay, in the same multi-well panel for customized multiplexing capability.

"We are pleased to have received FDA clearance for another molecular diagnostic product," said Douglas Bryant, president and chief executive officer of Quidel Corporation. "We intend to broaden our menu of molecular assays over the next several quarters, and in doing so, will provide our customers with a number of easy to use infectious disease tests that can be run on their existing thermocyclers." 

The RSV + hMPV assay is Quidel's third molecular PCR assay to receive 510(k) clearance. Quidel previously received FDA clearance for Quidel Molecular assays for Influenza A+B and hMPV. Quidel also received FDA clearance for its C. difficile assay in the AmpliVue^® format in December of 2012.

About Quidel Corporation

Quidel Corporation serves to enhance the health and well being of people around the globe through the development of diagnostic solutions that can lead to improved patient outcomes and provide economic benefits to the healthcare system. Marketed under the QuickVue®, D3® Direct Detection and Thyretain® leading brand names, as well as under the new Sofia® and AmpliVue® brands, Quidel's products aid in the detection and diagnosis of many critical diseases and conditions, including, among others, [ influenza ], [ respiratory syncytial virus ], Strep A, herpes, pregnancy, [ thyroid disease ] and [ fecal occult blood ]. Quidel's research and development engine is also developing a continuum of diagnostic solutions from advanced lateral-flow and direct fluorescent antibody to molecular diagnostic tests to further improve the quality of healthcare in physicians' offices and hospital and reference laboratories. For more information about Quidel's comprehensive product portfolio, visit [ www.quidel.com ] and Diagnostic Hybrids at [ www.dhiusa.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 from those that may be described or implied in the forward-looking statements. 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 on our strategic initiatives, our reliance on sales of our influenza diagnostic tests, uncertainty surrounding the detection of novel influenza viruses involving human specimens, our ability to develop new products and technology, adverse changes in the competitive and economic conditions in domestic and international markets, our reliance on and actions of our major distributors, technological changes and uncertainty with research and technology development, including any future molecular-based technology, the medical reimbursement system currently in place and future changes to that system, manufacturing and production delays or difficulties, adverse regulatory actions or delays in product reviews by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA"), compliance with FDA and environmental regulations, our ability to meet unexpected increases in demand for our products, our ability to execute our growth strategy, including the integration of new companies or technologies, disruptions in the global capital and credit markets, our ability to hire key personnel, intellectual property, product liability, environmental or other litigation, potential required patent license fee payments not currently reflected in our costs, adverse changes in our international markets, potential inadequacy of booked reserves and possible impairment of goodwill, and lower-than-anticipated acceptance, 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 Securities and Exchange Commission (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.

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