Press Releases

For Immediate Release
Date: April 11, 2005
Contact: Liz Lloyd, Marketing Communications Manager
Phone: 800.871.8909 ext. 109

Frost and Sullivan Recognize TREK Diagnostic Systems as with the Product Leadership of the Year Award

Cleveland, Ohio – April 11, 2005 – TREK Diagnostic Systems received Frost and Sullivan’s coveted 2005 Product Leadership of the Year Award in the field of microbial detection, for the development of the VersaTREK® Automated Microbial Detection System.

Frost & Sullivan’s Product Leadership of the Year Award is bestowed on the company that has best demonstrated a superior ability to develop and/or advance innovative products versus products from competing vendors. This award recognizes the company’s successful adoption or invention of new technology that has become a part of a well-designed product family. This award also recognizes the company’s successful product development strategies and the degree the product has met customer stated needs and requirements. Such innovation is expected to significantly contribute to the industry in terms of market acceptance.

“We are pleases to be among so many special people and companies as an awards winner,” commented Mike Burke, President and CEO of TREK Diagnostic Systems. “We would like to thank Frost and Sullivan for this honor.”

Frost & Sullivan recognizes outstanding industry achievements by presenting Frost & Sullivan Awards to top companies in regional and global markets. Their teams of industry experts recognize the diligence and innovation required to implement a successful business plan and excel in the increasingly competitive global marketplace. These prestigious awards are recognized worldwide by the media, the investment community and end-user markets.

To choose the award recipient, Frost & Sullivan’s analyst team tracks developments in a particular field of technology with a set of predetermined qualitative and quantitative measurements. The selection process includes primary participant interviews and/or interviews with end users, distributors, suppliers as well as extensive primary and secondary research via the bottom-up approach. Companies’ products are analyzed based on the degree of innovation, the estimated market penetration rate, and the acceptance of the product by intended end users. Industry participants are ranked and the top performing company is chosen for the award.

In addition to the methodology described above, there are specific criteria used to determine final competitor rankings in this industry. The recipient of this Award has excelled based on one or more of the following criteria:

• Significance of the product(s) in terms of enhancing a company’s competitive position
• Competitive advantage of the product(s) in the market
• Response to end user needs
• Product(s) quality
• Degree the product(s) has contributed added-value to end users
• Acceptance or potential market acceptance of the product(s)

The award was presented at the 2005 Excellence in Medical Devices Awards Banquet in San Francisco, CA on Wednesday, March 16.

The VersaTREK Automated Microbial Detection System features the latest technology in automated microbial detection systems and allows laboratories to conduct four tests on a single platform: blood culture, sterile body fluid culture, Mycobacteria detection and M. tuberculosis susceptibility testing. Designed for the best value, versatility, and ease of use, VersaTREK offers unique VorTrexingTM agitation, enhanced ergonomics, utilizes TREK’s “Any Bottle anywhere Concept”, and features Microsoft® Windows-based software with one-touch access to all patient information and reports. VersaTREK provides better recovery, simple ease of use, improved patient care, and greater value, making it the best solution for the demanding challenges of the diagnostic laboratory.