Neogen Launches Quickest Test Available for Tetracyclines in Milk

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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(R) dairy antibiotic test for tetracyclines
complements the company's widely used BetaStar(R) 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.
SOURCE Neogen Corporation

Gary White, Dairy Antibiotics Product Manager, or Terry Maynard, Investor
Relations Manager, both of Neogen Corporation, +1-517-372-9200