Life Technologies Introduces First and Only USDA-Approved Real-Time PCR Test to Detect Swine Influenza Virus

CARLSBAD, Calif., July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE), a provider of innovative life science solutions, today introduced the first USDA-approved, real-time PCR test to detect a broad range of Swine Influenza Virus (SIV), a common debilitating condition that causes fever, lethargy, breathing problems and significant weight loss resulting in economic loss to producers.

The Applied Biosystems VetMAXTM-Gold SIV Detection Kit from Life Technologies provides veterinary diagnostic laboratories around the world with a highly accurate tool to test production swine for SIV strains, including H1N1.  The kit is the market's first USDA-licensed, polymerase chain reaction-based (PCR) solution for rapid detection of SIV.  Designed to zero in on the pathogen's RNA, it also targets multiple genomic regions to decrease the likelihood of false negatives.  

The approval of the VetMAXTM-Gold SIV Detection Kit is based on the successful completion of the USDA's stringent review process to ensure safety and effectiveness of the real-time PCR test and evaluate production and quality systems compliance at the manufacturing site.  Veterinary diagnosticians have historically relied on Life Technologies' molecular reagents and instrumentation to detect and control disease.  However, the USDA-validated product now provides them with a federally approved test containing instructions, reagents and controls in a single kit.

"Life Technologies is committed to providing the most reliable and accurate animal health diagnostics," said Nir Nimrodi, head of Animal Health and Food Safety for Life Technologies. "Our newest kit complements our growing number of federally approved, molecular solutions developed to help test for diseases that threaten food producers' valuable herds and, ultimately, their business."

The VetMAXTM-Gold SIV Detection Kit is for animal diagnostic use only.

About Life Technologies (www.lifetechnologies.com)

Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) is a global biotechnology company dedicated to improving the human condition. Our systems, consumables and services enable researchers to accelerate scientific and medical advancements that make life even better. Life Technologies customers do their work across the biological spectrum, working to advance the fields of discovery and translational research, molecular medicine, stem cell-based therapies, food safety and animal health, and 21st century forensics. The company manufactures both molecular diagnostic and research use only products. Life Technologies' industry-leading brands are found in nearly every life sciences lab in the world and include innovative instrument systems under the Applied Biosystems and Ion Torrent names, as well as, the broadest range of reagents with its Invitrogen, GIBCO, Ambion, Molecular Probes and TaqMan® products. Life Technologies had sales of $3.6 billion in 2010, has a workforce of approximately 11,000 people, has a presence in approximately 160 countries, and possesses one of the largest intellectual property estates in the life sciences industry, with approximately 3,900 patents and exclusive licenses. For more information on how we are making a difference, please visit our website: http://www.lifetechnologies.com.

Life Technologies' Safe Harbor Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements about our anticipated results that involve risks and uncertainties. Some of the information contained in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements as to industry trends and Life Technologies' plans, objectives, expectations and strategy for its business, contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. When used, the words "believe," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "target," "estimate," "expect" and the like, and/or future tense or conditional constructions ("will," "may," "could," "should," etc.), or similar expressions, identify certain of these forward-looking statements. Important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are detailed in filings made by Life Technologies with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Life Technologies undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110216/MM49339LOGO)

Life Technologies Contact
Mauricio Minotta
760-929-2456
[email protected]

SOURCE Life Technologies Corporation

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