New IDEXX Test Detects Kidney Disease in Cats and Dogs Months or Years Earlier than Standard Screening Technologies
Breakthrough in medical and preventive care; IDEXX to provide SDMA as part of routine reference laboratory chemistry profiles at no additional charge
Orlando, FL, North American Veterinary Conference, January 19, 2015 — IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDXX) announced today an upcoming kidney function test, called SDMA (or symmetric dimethylarginine), that promises to transform the way veterinarians diagnose and treat kidney disease in cats and dogs. The new renal biomarker identifies the onset of kidney disease months or even years earlier than traditional methods, greatly expanding treatment options.
IDEXX plans to include the SDMA kidney test in all routine reference laboratory chemistry profiles at no additional cost and with the same rapid turnaround time. This will enable veterinarians to diagnose kidney disease earlier, including during routine preventive care testing, while there is still enough kidney function for more effective intervention and disease management.
“We expect to begin trials with several hundred customers in North America by March, and to roll out the test as part of the routine chemistry panel in the North American market this summer. A roll-out in our global reference laboratory network will extend into 2016,” said Jonathan W. Ayers, president and chief executive officer of IDEXX Laboratories.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a leading cause of suffering and death in cats and dogs. In time, one in three cats and one in 10 dogs will develop some form of the disease. Until today, kidney disease has been routinely diagnosed in part by measuring blood creatinine. However, creatinine alone cannot detect kidney disease until late in the disease process, limiting the opportunity to extend the life of the pet through treatment options. Typically, a diagnosis is made when 75% of kidney function has been irreversibly lost. At this point, the prognosis can be poor.
The new SDMA test changes that. In a recent clinical study, Oregon State University researchers showed SDMA identified disease much earlier in the disease progression, when the kidney had suffered far less damage that results in permanent loss of function—up to four years earlier in at least one animal. On average, SDMA detected kidney disease when only 40% of function had been lost, and in some cases, 25% of function. Earlier detection allows veterinarians to provide more effective intervention and disease management, which could add months or even years to pet lives.
“Until now, it hasn’t been possible to detect kidney disease until late in the course of the disease,” said Roberta L. Relford, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM, DACVP, vice president and chief medical officer of IDEXX Laboratories. “The ability to diagnose kidney disease earlier will enable veterinarians and pet owners to care for affected pets in a way that enhances their well-being and may even extend their lives.”
“For more than 30 years, IDEXX innovation has helped veterinarians elevate the standard of care for pets,” said Ayers. “SDMA is another result of our industry-leading investment in advancing veterinary medicine, and it represents a significant achievement in preventive care diagnostics. It will transform the way kidney disease is diagnosed and treated. We’re adding it to all routine chemistry profiles offered by IDEXX Reference Laboratories so that it becomes a standard part of good preventive care, helping pets live long, happy lives.”
IDEXX unveiled this breakthrough in medical and preventive care at the North American Veterinary Conference, taking place this week in Orlando. IDEXX will provide SDMA testing as part of all routine reference laboratory chemistry profiles. IDEXX customers can easily add an SDMA test to their in-house chemistry profiles by running a stand-alone SDMA test at IDEXX Reference Laboratories.
Veterinarians who wish to learn more about the technology and treatment protocols can visit idexx.com/sdma
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About IDEXX Laboratories
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 livestock and poultry diagnostic tests and tests for the quality and safety of water and milk. Headquartered in Maine, IDEXX employs more than 7,000 people and offers products to customers in over 175 countries. For more information about IDEXX, visit: www.idexx.com
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