CHATSWORTH, Calif., Jan. 5, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IRIS International, Inc. (Nasdaq:IRIS), a leading manufacturer of automated in-vitro diagnostics systems and consumables for use in hospitals and commercial laboratories worldwide, and a provider of high value personalized diagnostics testing services through its CLIA certified molecular diagnostics laboratory,has shipped its 3,000th iQ®200Automated Urine Microscopy Analyzer. In a ceremony at the Company's Chatsworth headquarters, Thomas, E. Warekois, Corporate Vice President and President of the Iris Diagnostics Business Unit, announced that the analyzer, an iQ®200 Elite™, was shipped to Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, Fla., and includes a medallion identifying it as the 3,000th shipment.
"We are proud of this significant achievement to have placed 3,000 iQ200 analyzers globally since its introduction and launch in 2003," stated Mr. Warekois. "With our flagship iQ200 system, Iris Diagnostics has emerged as the world leader in automated urine microscopy and body fluids analysis and has been recognized through our market share position plus numerous industry awards for excellence in product and customer service, increasing productivity and efficiency in the lab, and improving patient care management through better diagnostics."
"The success of the iQ200 and our core urinalysis business with its expanding worldwide base, has been the cornerstone for growth and overall stability at IRIS," stated Cesar Garcia, Chairman, President and CEO of IRIS International. "The strength of the iQ200 and our core competencies in flow imaging technology and particle recognition algorithms to automate the analysis of cell forms and structures, continues to be the driving force behind the development of our new product pipeline as we expand our expertise into large new markets, including hematology, infectious disease, cancer diagnostics and personalized medicine," Mr. Garcia added.
About IRIS International, Inc.
IRIS International, Inc. is a leading global in vitro diagnostics company focused on products that analyze particles and living cell forms and structures, or morphology of a variety of body fluids. The Company's products leverage its strengths in flow imaging technology, particle recognition and automation to bring efficiency to hospital and commercial laboratories. The initial applications for its technology have been in the urinalysis market and the Company is the leading worldwide provider of automated urine microscopy and chemistry systems, with an installed base of more than 2,900 systems in more than 50 countries. The Company is expanding its core imaging and morphology expertise into related markets and is developing applications in hematology and urinary tract infections. In addition, the Company recently acquired a high complexity CLIA-certified molecular pathology laboratory offering differentiated, high value molecular diagnostic services in the rapidly growing field of personalized medicine. The laboratory provides a direct commercial channel for the Company's NADiA® ultra-sensitive nucleic acid detection immunoassay platform, with applications in oncology and infectious disease. For more information, please visit www.proiris.com.
SAFE HARBOR PROVISION
This press release contains forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Company's views on future financial performance, market growth, capital requirements, regulatory developments, new product introductions and acquisitions, and are generally identified by phrases such as "thinks," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," and similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are inherently subject to uncertainties and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statement. These statements are based upon, among other things, assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management, including management's own knowledge and assessment of the Company's industry, R&D initiatives, competition and capital requirements. Other factors and uncertainties that could affect the Company's forward-looking statements include, among other things, the following: identification of feasible new product initiatives, management of R&D efforts and the resulting successful development of new products and product platforms; obtaining regulatory approvals for new and enhanced products; acceptance by customers of the Company's products; integration of acquired businesses; substantial expansion of international sales; reliance on key suppliers; the potential need for changes in long-term strategy in response to future developments; future advances in diagnostic testing methods and procedures; potential changes in government regulations and healthcare policies, both of which could adversely affect the economics of the diagnostic testing procedures automated by the Company's products; rapid technological change in the microelectronics and software industries; and competitive factors, including pricing pressures and the introduction by others of new products with similar or better functionality than our products. These and other risks are more fully described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which should be read in conjunction herewith for a further discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The financial results presented in this press release are subject to change pending the filing of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2010. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.