Neogen launches quickest test available for tetracyclines in milk

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 13, 2008 — Neogen Corporation (Nasdaq: NEOG) has expanded its line of products developed for the dairy industry to include the quickest test available for tetracycline residues in milk. The tetracyclines group of dairy antibiotics is used to treat bovine mastitis, and includes tetracycline, chlortetracycline, and oxytetracycline.

Neogen’s new TetraStar® dairy antibiotic test for tetracyclines complements the company’s widely used BetaStar® test for the beta-lactam group of dairy antibiotics, which includes amoxicillin, ampicillin, cephapirin, cloxacillin, and penicillin. TetraStar produces clear results in a market-best six minutes, and like BetaStar, is an extremely simple dipstick test that requires only minimal training and equipment to produce consistently accurate results.

“As tetracyclines have emerged as a second choice of antibiotics to beta-lactams for the management of mastitis in dairy herds in certain regions of the world, the concern over tetracycline drug residues in milk has grown,” said Lon Bohannon, Neogen’s president. “Developing TetraStar allows us to offer the worldwide dairy industry yet another simple solution to protect its consumers and businesses. Two years ago when we acquired the dairy antibiotics business from UCB, including its popular BetaStar line, we did so with the idea of expanding the business by introducing new products based on market demand. Launching TetraStar today is yet another example of our commitment to supply innovative products to help meet our customers’ needs.”

Because the tetracyclines group of dairy antibiotics is not yet used as universally as the beta-lactam group, regulations governing the maximum allowable levels of tetracyclines in milk are not as widespread. As the European Union has set a maximum residue level of 100 parts per billion for tetracyclines in milk, Neogen expects the strongest initial interest for its TetraStar product from EU countries, and especially Spain, where tetracyclines are more widely used.

The worldwide market for antibiotic testing of milk has been estimated to exceed $60 million. A significant portion of that total market is in the United States, where virtually every load of raw milk delivered to dairy processing plants is tested for antibiotic residues.

In addition to its growing line of dairy antibiotic tests, Neogen’s Food Safety Division also offers the dairy industry: rapid milk allergen tests that allow multipurpose production lines to be tested quickly and reliably following the sanitation process; rapid foodborne pathogen and indicator organism tests to ensure product safety and quality; and an unequaled sanitation monitoring system that puts the speed and convenience of ATP testing in a lightweight, rugged instrument that fits in the palm of one’s hand. Neogen’s Animal Safety Division also offers the dairy industry a wide variety of offerings, including a comprehensive line of hoof care and obstetrical products.

Neogen Corporation develops and markets products dedicated to food and animal safety. The company’s Food Safety Division markets dehydrated culture media, and diagnostic test kits to detect foodborne bacteria, natural toxins, genetic modifications, food allergens, drug residues, plant diseases and sanitation concerns. Neogen’s Animal Safety Division markets a complete line of diagnostics, veterinary instruments, veterinary pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, disinfectants, and rodenticides.