Heska Introduces Element POC™ Blood Gas-Electrolyte Analyzer

LOVELAND, Colo., Sept. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Heska Corporation (NASDAQ: HSKA, "Heska"), a leading provider of veterinary diagnostic and specialty products, announced today that it has launched throughout North America a new rapid blood analyzer ("Element POC™"). This latest generation, handheld, wireless analyzer delivers rapid blood gas, electrolyte, metabolite, and basic blood chemistry testing to the North American veterinary healthcare market, and is available exclusively through Heska. 

The new Element POC™ is a point of care device that offers superior data management, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a broad testing menu that includes the critical care parameters valued most by practitioners in one comprehensive, easy to use "credit card" style test card that can be stored at room temperature. Compared to other handheld analyzers on the market, the Element POC™ may save veterinarians up to 50% on the costs of testing, while improving ease of use and patient outcomes.

Steve Eyl, Executive Vice President of Commercial Operations for Heska, said, "The addition of Element POC™ to our product line complements our existing chemistry and hematology suite and leapfrogs the competition.  Element POC™ brings unmatched value and savings by delivering real-time critical care parameters at a price per test that will save veterinarians and their clients thousands of dollars each year.  After many years of working towards this point, we at Heska are proud to secure the leadership position by bringing the world's most advanced blood-gas, lactate, electrolyte, metabolite and chemistry point of care testing to the market."

About Heska
Heska Corporation (NASDAQ: HSKA - News) sells advanced veterinary diagnostic and other specialty veterinary products.  Heska's state-of-the-art offerings to its customers include diagnostic instruments and supplies as well as single use point-of-care tests, pharmaceuticals and vaccines.  The Company's core focus is on the canine and feline markets where it strives to provide high value products and unparalleled customer support to veterinarians.  For further information on Heska and its products, visit the company's website at www.heska.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements regarding Heska's future financial and operating results. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.  Element POC™ and related consumable products are to be provided to Heska under a contractual agreement with a third-party, which is subject to risks and uncertainties including but not limited to risks and uncertainties related to interruptions or shortfalls in supply, quality and future product enhancements.  Additional factors that could affect the business and financial results of Heska generally include the following: uncertainties related to the economic savings, if any, users or their customers may experience as compared to alternatives; uncertainties related to the operating performance and customer perception of a new product to be introduced into the veterinary market; uncertainties related to future customer placements and affiliated profitability of Element POC™  units; uncertainties related to the reputation of Heska's products and the impact of such perceptions on Heska's financial performance; uncertainties related to Heska's ability to negotiate any economically successful future agreement with a third party; competition; and the risks set forth in Heska's filings and future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in Heska's quarterly and annual reports such as Heska's 10-Q for the three month period ending June 30, 2013.

SOURCE Heska Corporation