2009 Marks 50 Years of Innovative ‘Firsts’ for Instrumentation Laboratory

– In Vitro Diagnostics Leader Celebrates 50th Anniversary –

LEXINGTON, Mass., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ — Instrumentation Laboratory (IL), a worldwide developer, manufacturer and distributor of in vitro diagnostic instruments, related reagents and services, is celebrating the anniversary date of its founding, fifty years ago today. The company launched its “50 and Forward” celebration in 2008 and will continue the program through its anniversary year with events that reflect on IL’s 50 years of historic achievements, as well as its plans for continued innovation in the future.

IL’s Distinguished History of “Firsts”

From its earliest days, IL’s notable breakthroughs have had a major impact in laboratory medicine and the well-being of patients around the world. Its first instrument, the IL 113, launched a new era of automation in the industry, and set the stage for IL’s constant innovation for half a century. From the revolutionary IL 113 blood gas analyzer, to the IL 143 flame photometer, to the invention of CO-Oximetry, IL launched products that replaced time-consuming manual techniques, setting new standards in hospitals worldwide.

Today, around the globe, IL’s innovative products impact hospitals, and their central laboratories, ICUs, operating rooms and emergency rooms, bringing automation and accuracy to caregivers and the patients that rely on them. The same passion and dedication to innovation that led IL’s earliest missions are what the company is celebrating in 2009, with a renewed commitment to continuing this legacy in the future.

“We’re proud that IL’s history of ‘firsts’ has played a part in revolutionizing the world of medical diagnostics across the globe. Patients and caregivers benefit from our discoveries on nearly every continent, every single day,” said Josep Manent, CEO of IL. “Year after year, product after product, IL is recognized as having set new standards in diagnostic testing.”

Ramon Benet, VP of Worldwide Marketing and US Sales and Service at IL, added, “The ’50 and Forward’ program not only celebrates our history, but embodies our commitment to the future of diagnostics – IL will continue to meet the changing needs of the in vitro diagnostic market, today and into the future.”

Another IL “First” to be Introduced in Europe during Q1, 2009

As the world’s leading developer of hemostasis testing systems, IL plans to begin 2009 with the launch of another innovative addition to its ACL family of hemostasis testing instruments, that use ‘chemiluminescence’ technology to automate specialty assays:

• The highly-anticipated ACL AcuStar(TM), the first fully automated random-access chemiluminescence analyzer dedicated to specialty assays in hemostasis

“Passion and Results” Award Nominations for IL Customers Accepted thru June 1st.

The cornerstone of IL’s 50th anniversary celebration is the “Passion and Results” Award for customers. Three laboratorians, respiratory therapists, physicians or nurses who have demonstrated remarkable passion and dedication resulting in enhanced patient care will receive an award and an educational grant to their institution. Industry professionals are invited to submit an inspiring story of patient care – about themselves or another person – by completing IL’s “Passion and Results” nomination form available through an IL sales representative or online at www.ilus.com/50forward. Submissions will be accepted through June 1, 2009 and are open to all worldwide customers. Winners will be honored in July, 2009.

ILeader Panel of Experts Available to Industry.

IL’s leadership in the development of diagnostic instruments is largely due to its many renowned thought leaders. Members of the “50 and Forward” ILeader Panel of esteemed experts in a variety of diagnostics-related areas are available to contribute to the betterment of diagnostics through forums, webcasts, roundtables, seminars and press comments throughout IL’s 50th anniversary celebration year. Persons and publications interested in securing the ILeader Panel’s services should contact IL’s Sally McCraven at 781-861-4577, smccraven@ilww.com.

About Instrumentation Laboratory

Instrumentation Laboratory (www.ilus.com), founded in 1959, is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and distributor of in vitro diagnostic instruments, related reagents and controls for use primarily in hospitals and independent clinical laboratories. The company’s product lines include critical care systems, hemostasis systems and information management systems.

IL’s GEM(R) product offerings, part of the critical care line, include the new GEM Premier(TM) 4000 analyzer with Intelligent Quality Management (iQM(R)), GEM Premier 3000 analyzer, GEM OPL(TM), a portable whole blood CO-Oximeter and the GEM PCL Plus, a portable coagulation analyzer. IL’s hemostasis portfolio includes the ACL TOP(R) Family of Hemostasis Testing Systems, fully automated, high-productivity analyzers, including the ACL TOP and the new ACL TOP 500 CTS. IL also offers the ACL ELITE(R) and ELITE PRO, other hemostasis analyzers and the HemosIL(R) line of reagents. IL is based in Lexington, Massachusetts.

The Instrumentation Laboratory logo, GEM, iQM, HemosIL, ACL TOP, ACL ELITE, Premier and GEM OPL are trademarks of Instrumentation Laboratory Company and/or one of its subsidiaries or parent companies, and may be registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in other jurisdictions. All other product names, company names, marks, logos, and symbols are trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Instrumentation Laboratory