IDEXX Breakthrough Kidney Function Test Now Key Component of IRIS Staging Guidelines

New guidelines enhance the ability of veterinarians to assess renal function 

WESTBROOK, Maine, Oct. 2, 2019 /CNW/ -- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDXX), a global leader in veterinary diagnostics and software, today announced that SDMA-based chronic kidney disease (CKD) staging guidelines have now been generated and approved by the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS). IDEXX is working with IRIS to support clinicians in realizing the clinical utility of the SDMA test and in creating tools that help shape the future of veterinary medicine and patient care. This much-anticipated development will help veterinarians assess kidney function with reliable, quantitative guidelines. This update reflects the evolution of the veterinary profession's understanding of the utility of SDMA since it was first added to the IRIS CKD staging guidelines in 2015.

To date, SDMA has helped veterinarians detect kidney function in more than 20 million cats and dogs and has transformed the way renal health is addressed in veterinary medicine. A persistently elevated SDMA concentration is an indication of a decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Therefore, it detects loss of kidney function as a result of kidney diseases or secondary disease processes that impact kidney function. For these reasons, SDMA increases the clinician's ability to monitor kidney function and helps them to accurately stage chronic kidney disease.

"As the leader in nephrology, IRIS has a responsibility to provide practicing veterinarians with evidence-based guidance for diagnosing, treating, and managing kidney diseases. Our responsibility includes providing the most useful direction in how to interpret diagnostic information," said Dr. Gregory F. Grauer, President of the IRIS Board of Directors. "The inclusion of SDMA-based staging guidelines is the next step in our understanding of this important indicator of kidney function. Using both serum creatinine and SDMA could enhance one's ability to evaluate renal function as they are complementary to each other."

Many veterinarians have already adopted SDMA into their practices and have successfully used the innovative diagnostic as part of their protocols to support better patient care. With the updated IRIS staging guidelines, veterinarians will be able to more accurately understand the utility of SDMA and how to interpret it.

"The expansion of IRIS staging to SDMA-based guidelines is a further proof point for this novel biomarker. IRIS has recognized how SDMA reflects kidney function. These updated SDMA-based staging guidelines will support clinicians in managing their CKD patients by staging and treating this condition appropriately," said Jay Mazelsky, interim President and Chief Executive Officer of IDEXX Laboratories. "We're thrilled to partner with IRIS on this important development that we know will help more veterinarians improve the standard of care by incorporating SDMA into their workflow."

The IRIS CKD Staging Guidelines can be found on the IRIS website.

About IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a member of the S&P 500^® Index and is a leader in pet healthcare innovation, serving practicing veterinarians around the world with a broad range of diagnostic and information technology-based products and services. IDEXX products enhance the ability of veterinarians to provide advanced medical care, improve staff efficiency, and build more economically successful practices. IDEXX is also a worldwide leader in providing diagnostic tests and information for livestock and poultry and tests for the quality and safety of water and milk. Headquartered in Maine, IDEXX employs more than 8,000 people and offers products to customers in over 175 countries. For more information about IDEXX, visit: idexx.com.

About IRIS

IRIS is the International Renal Interest Society. IRIS was created to advance the scientific understanding of kidney disease in small animals. It was originally organized at the 8th Annual Congress of the European Society of Veterinary Internal Medicine in Vienna, Austria, in 1998, with the support of Novartis Animal Health acquired by and now supported by Elanco Animal Health, a Division of Eli Lilly and Company, which provides funding and organizational assistance.

IRIS is led by a board of 15 independent veterinarians with particular expertise in nephrology, from 11 different countries. The mission of IRIS is to help veterinary practitioners better diagnose, understand, and treat renal disease in cats and dogs. In order to achieve this mission, the group investigates ways to accurately diagnose early signs of chronic renal disease and explores novel therapies for these diseases.

One of the organization's primary objectives is to establish an internationally recognized set of guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of renal disease in small animals.

As there is still much to learn in the field of veterinary nephrology, the members of the IRIS Board are dedicated to scientific efforts to study renal disease in order to advance our approach to this important problem.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains or may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expects," "may," "anticipates," "intends," "would," "will," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "should," "project," and similar words and expressions. These forward-looking statements are intended to provide our current expectation or forecasts of future events; are based on current estimates, projections, beliefs, and assumptions; and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual events or results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements because actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied. The reports filed by IDEXX pursuant to United States securities laws contain discussions of some of these risks and uncertainties. IDEXX assumes no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are advised to review IDEXX's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (which are available from the SEC's EDGAR database at www.sec.gov and via IDEXX's website at www.idexx.com).

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SOURCE IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.