Neogen’s NeoSEEK™ STEC system now more convenient

LANSING, Mich., August 16, 2012 — Neogen Corporation (Nasdaq: NEOG) has announced a faster and more streamlined version of its NeoSEEK 24 hour pathogenic Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) confirmation service.

Using a new shipping-ready system, NeoSEEK provides beef processors and those using raw beef trim in products a safe and easy way to ship samples for testing. The new system provides everything producers need to safely and securely send samples to Neogen’s GeneSeek laboratory, which is considered to be the top agricultural genomics lab in the U.S.

Coupled with its next day, DNA-definitive results, NeoSEEK provides fast and precise confirmation, giving producers the information they need to make the right decisions before taking action. These critical decisions can shrink waste by releasing negative product into the market more quickly.

NeoSEEK is available for E. coli O157:H7, one of most common illness-causing pathogens, and six related STEC strains: O26, O45, O103, O111, O121 and O145. In June, the new regulations classifying these six strains as adulterants went into effect, making quick and accurate testing more important than ever.

NeoSEEK technology uses mass spectrometry-based multiplexing to determine the genetic composition of bacteria in a food sample, and then compares those results with the known genetic makeup of the target E. coli strains to identify and differentiate the target strains. NeoSEEK assays a total of 71 independent genetic markers to detect and identify STECs, which provides actionable results much sooner than conventional cultural methods. NeoSEEK results are obtained conclusively from the enrichment broth, removing human error derived from phenotype-based colony picking.

“Easy and safe shipping coupled with fast and DNA-definitive results can save meat producers and companies that use raw beef trim time and money,” said Neogen’s Kristen Antonellis. “The upgraded NeoSEEK system now offers a much easier path for companies to submit samples, and review results seamlessly.”

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, food allergens, drug residues, plant diseases and sanitation concerns. Neogen’s Animal Safety Division is a leader in the testing and development of animal genomic models along with the manufacturing and distribution of a variety of animal healthcare products, including diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, veterinary instruments, wound care and disinfectants.