Quidel Corporation and Roche to Collaborate in Pilot Program for Influenza Management in U.S. This Flu Season

Quidel Corporation (NASDAQ:QDEL), a leading provider of rapid point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests, announced today the launch of a pilot program with Roche in the U.S. this flu season. The purpose of the program is to develop a comprehensive approach to managing influenza. The QuickVue Influenza A+B test and Tamiflu, an oral antiviral flu medication, will be utilized together in select U.S. markets. The program is scheduled to begin in December and leverages the strength of the two leading brands in influenza management for both physicians and patients. The U.S. arrangement complements collaboration already underway and recently announced by both companies in Germany. "Our focus has always been to educate physicians on the signs and symptoms of influenza. The rapid test enables physicians to more accurately diagnose the infected patient, allowing for appropriate decisions about treatment and protection against the flu,” said Michael McGuire, vice president infectious diseases at Roche. "The physician will also be able to recommend prophylaxis to other family members to help protect them from getting the flu. Working with Quidel should help physicians make improved decisions about influenza for their patients and practice.” Caren Mason, president and CEO of Quidel Corporation, noted, "The agreement with Roche should allow us to demonstrate what physicians and researchers have been reporting globally, that a rapid test helps to support the appropriate utilization of antivirals, resulting in improved patient care. We are pleased to be working with Roche in two of the largest influenza markets—Germany and the United States. We anticipate that the resulting data from this collaboration will add further evidence to support the use of a test in influenza diagnostic and treatment protocols. We consider this level of cooperative agreement with Roche as another testament to our commitment to QVB™, the Quidel Value Build program dedicated to clinical and economic validation enabling proper disease management.” About Quidel Corp. 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.quidel.com, www.flutest.com, or www.colorectal-test.com. About Roche Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. (Roche), based in Nutley, N.J., is the U.S. pharmaceuticals headquarters of the Roche Group, one of the world’s leading research-oriented healthcare groups with core businesses in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. For more than 100 years in the U.S., Roche has been committed to developing innovative products and services that address prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, thus enhancing people's health and quality of life. For additional information about the U.S. pharmaceuticals business, visit the websites: http://www.rocheusa.com or www.roche.us. All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law. 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 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, 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.