Cepheid Announces Chlamydia and N. gonorrhoeae Test Categorized 'Moderate Complexity' by FDA

Xpert CT/NG Makes Same-Day Consultation and Treatment Possible for Two Most Common STDs

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Jan 15, 2013, 07:00 ET

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jan. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cepheid (NASDAQ: CPHD) today announced the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has categorized Cepheid's Xpert^® CT/NG test as 'Moderate Complexity' under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Xpert CT/NG is a qualitative in vitro molecular diagnostic test for the detection and differentiation of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). The test runs on Cepheid's GeneXpert^® Systems and is the first and only molecular CT/NG test to be categorized as Moderately Complex. The Moderately Complex categorization will now allow the accuracy benefits of molecular diagnostics to be realized over a broader testing universe.

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"In a recent study of 23 developed countries by the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council, the U.S. was found to have the highest rates of Sexually Transmitted Diseases among youths¹," said John Bishop, Cepheid's Chief Executive Officer. "Now accessible to more than 20,000 Moderately Complex U.S. labs and 7,000 High Complexity U.S. labs, Xpert CT/NG becomes an important new weapon in reducing STD rates as clinicians can test, consult with, and treat their patients on a more timely basis."

"The classification of Xpert CT/NG by the FDA as 'Moderate Complexity' is a breakthrough for sexual health and STD prevention. The large number of Moderate Complexity point-of-care laboratories that exist in U.S. hospitals and clinics can now offer rapid, highly accurate and private same-day STD testing," said Jeffrey D. Klausner, MD, MPH, Professor of Medicine, UCLA-David Geffen School of Medicine. "Public health officials need to work with providers to increase the availability of those tests. Faster STD detection and treatment could go a long way in stemming the continued epidemic of STDs in the United States."

Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Both are easily treated when detected and managed quickly. Chlamydia remains the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection in the United States. While the CDC recommends annual testing for all sexually active women aged 25 and under, their most recent nationally representative estimate among this population found that only 38 percent of sexually active women were tested for chlamydia during the previous year.^2,3

Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported bacterial infectious disease in the country. The CDC estimates that more than 700,000 Americans become infected with gonorrhea every year, yet fewer than half of these infections are diagnosed and reported to the CDC. Current testing protocols for Neisseria gonorrhoeae are often problematic due to cross-reactivity with other organisms, often requiring an additional confirmatory test. These delays and coordination issues can significantly hamper communication and consultation, leaving both patients and their partners uninformed and untreated.⁴

The categorization of commercially marketed in vitro diagnostic tests under CLIA is the responsibility of the FDA. This categorization includes the process of assigning commercially marketed in vitro diagnostic test systems to one of three CLIA regulatory categories:⁵

waived tests
tests of moderate complexity
tests of high complexity

Cepheid was the first company to receive a 'Moderate Complexity' categorization for a nucleic acid test and Xpert CT/NG is the 12th Cepheid test to be categorized as such.

Xpert CT/NG will begin shipping this month. For more information, visit www.cepheid.com.

About the GeneXpert^® System Molecular Diagnostic Platform

The GeneXpert System is a closed, self-contained, fully-integrated and automated platform that represents a paradigm shift in the automation of molecular analysis, producing accurate results in a timely manner with minimal risk of contamination. The GeneXpert System is the only system to combine on-board sample preparation with real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification and detection functions for fully integrated and automated nucleic acid analysis. The system is designed to purify, concentrate, detect, and identify targeted nucleic acid sequences thereby delivering answers directly from unprocessed samples. Modular in design, the GeneXpert System has a variety of configurations to meet the broad range of testing demands found in clinical environments.

About Cepheid

Based in Sunnyvale, Calif., Cepheid (Nasdaq: CPHD) is a leading molecular diagnostics company that is dedicated to improving healthcare by developing, manufacturing, and marketing accurate yet easy-to-use molecular systems and tests. By automating highly complex and time-consuming manual procedures, the company's solutions deliver a better way for institutions of any size to perform sophisticated genetic testing for organisms and genetic-based diseases. Through its strong molecular biology capabilities, the company is focusing on those applications where accurate, rapid, and actionable test results are needed most, such as managing infectious diseases and cancer. For more information, visit http://www.cepheid.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are not purely historical regarding Cepheid's or its management's intentions, beliefs, expectations and strategies for the future, including those relating to timing of product shipments, product performance and efficacy, and future market opportunities. Because such statements deal with future events, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from the company's current expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks and uncertainties such as those relating to: unforeseen delays and costs; uncertainties related to the regulatory processes for new products; the performance, clinical efficacy and market acceptance of any new product; the level of testing at clinical customer sites; supply, development and manufacturing problems; unknown levels of market acceptance in existing and new point-of-care facilities; unforeseen difficulties in order fulfillment; sufficient customer demand; the impact of competitive products or technologies; and underlying market conditions worldwide. Readers should also refer to the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Cepheid's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2011 and in its most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, each filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

All forward-looking statements and reasons why results might differ included in this release are made as of the date of this press release, based on information currently available to Cepheid, and Cepheid assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement or reasons why results might differ.

References

CONTACTS:
For Media Inquiries:	For Cepheid Investor Inquiries:
Jared Tipton	Jacquie Ross
Cepheid Corporate Communications	Cepheid Investor Relations
408-400-8377	408-400-8329
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