MADISON, N.J., December 29 - Pfizer Animal Health today announced an agreement to acquire Synbiotics Corporation (Pinksheets SYNB.PK), a privately held, Kansas City-based leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of immunodiagnostic tests for companion and food production animals.

Veterinary immunodiagnostics, a methodology using antigenantibody reaction to detect viruses or bacteria in animals, is a sector growing an estimated 8% annually, twice the rate of the animal health industry as a whole. The global immunodiagnostics market is valued at $735 million, according to industry sources. Factors accelerating growth include increasing interest among companion animal owners in monitoring the health and maintaining
wellness of their dogs, cats and horses. Likewise, livestock producers, striving to meet increasing worldwide demand for animal-derived food protein, are placing greater emphasis on immunodiagnostics to safeguard the health of livestock animals.

“Our acquisition of Synbiotics, with its best-in-class product portfolio, promising research and development pipeline, and manufacturing capability, will bring Pfizer Animal Health closer to its goal of becoming a comprehensive solutions provider to the animal health industry,” said Juan Ramón Alaix, president, Pfizer Animal Health. “By integrating animal health diagnostics with our innovative portfolio of vaccines and medicines, we can do more to help veterinarians deliver optimal care for livestock and companion animals and provide the right medicine to the right animal at the right time.”

According to Mr. Alaix, the acquisition will not only allow Pfizer Animal Health to enhance its offerings to veterinarians at point of care in the clinic and on the farm, but also to expand into products for diagnostic reference laboratories and reproductive services for canine breeders.

“We look forward to continuing to serve existing Synbiotics customers as well as serving new customers with Synbiotics’ portfolio of proven and effective diagnostics solutions,” Mr. Alaix said.

“Pfizer Animal Health is the ideal partner for Synbiotics,” said Paul Hays, Chief Executive Officer of Synbiotics Corporation. “Pfizer Animal Health’s global reach, commercial operations, and expertise in regulatory and marketing functions will expand customer access to such leading products as WITNESS® and ASSURE® for companion animals, the SERELISA® franchise for livestock animals, and PROFLOK for poultry into new markets -- especially
in emerging markets. Marrying Synbiotics’ R&D expertise in diagnostics with the strength of Pfizer veterinary R&D also is expected to help accelerate our diagnostic development program.”

According to Hays, Synbiotics estimates that its common shareholders will be entitled to receive up to approximately
$0.306 per share in cash in connection with the acquisition, of which approximately $0.019 per share will be held in escrow as a fund against which Pfizer may make claims for losses arising from any breaches of Synbiotics' representations, warranties, covenants and agreements and similar customary matters. The acquisition is expected to close later this week.

With its agreement to acquire Synbiotics, Pfizer Animal Health is affirming its commitment to help companion animals and horses live healthier longer lives and to help assure a safe food supply from healthy cattle, poultry, pigs and fish worldwide using sustainable production practices. Pfizer Animal Health’s entry into veterinary diagnostics follows a series of moves in 2010 that position the business as the partner of choice to the animal health industry. These include:

• Completing a licensing and development agreement with Epitopix to expand access to the first conditionally U.S.
  Department of Agriculture approved vaccines for E. coli and for Salmonella Newport in beef and dairy cattle.
• Expansion into the rapidly growing aquaculture segment with
  the acquisition of Microtek International.
• Entry into animal health generic medicines with the acquisition of Vetnex in India.
  

About Synbiotics Corporation
Synbiotics is a leading developer and manufacturer of veterinary diagnostics and services for veterinary practices, livestock and poultry producers, reference laboratories and animal breeders worldwide. New product R&D is centered at the Synbiotics headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri and also performed in manufacturing locations in Lyon, France and in San Diego, California, and through R&D collaborations with the University of Maryland and Kansas State University. Synbiotics’ facilities are permitted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and are ISO 9001 certified. For more information, visit www.Synbiotics.com.

Pfizer Inc.: Working together for a healthier world™
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve health and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. Our diversified global health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world's best-known consumer products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness,
prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as the world's leading biopharmaceutical company, we also collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care
around the world. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. To learn more about our commitments, please visit us at www.pfizer.com.

DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this release is as of December 29, 2010. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information or future events or developments. This release contains forward-looking information about an agreement by Pfizer to acquire Synbiotics Corporation, including the anticipated price per share, and about Synbiotic’s product portfolio and research and development pipeline, including the potential benefits thereof. Such information involves substantial risks and uncertainties including, among other things, the satisfaction of conditions to closing the agreement; the uncertainties inherent in research and development activities; and competitive developments.

A further list and description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and in its reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.

During the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) held November, 2010 in Minneapolis, Synbiotics sponsored a Catch the Fever Contest.  As part of that contest, one Amazon Kindle™ was given away to the lucky winner, Dr. Craig Carter of the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.  Congratulations to Dr. Carter.

Under the direction of President and CEO, Paul Hays, Synbiotics Corporation is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of veterinary diagnostics and services.   For additional information about Synbiotics, please refer to our website at www.synbiotics.com.

The Synbiotics Flu DETECT™ SWINE diagnostic kit is included in the MERIAL Flu-Kit which has just been introduced by Merial for use by veterinarians.  Flu DETECT™ Swine Influenza Virus Type A Antigen Test Kit is an in-vitro, Rapid Immuno Migration (RIM™) test designed to aid in the qualitative detection of Swine Influenza Type A virus in nasal samples from pigs.  

Details of the MERIAL Flu-KIT are outlined in the following Merial press release…

“After GRIPOVAC®3, MERIAL introduces the Merial Flu-Kit to assist the identification of swine influenza in the field.

After the  recent launch in all  European  countries of   GRIPOVAC®3,   Merial is now  introducing the first-ever MERIAL Flu-Kit to confirm the presence of swine influenza virus (SIV) in the field.

GRIPOVAC®3 is a new swine influenza vaccine including three subtypes of the Swine Influenza Virus (H1N2, H1N1 and H3N2); these strains are updated strains and respond to field requirements of European countries where the strains are circulating.

The MERIAL Flu-Kit is a diagnosis tool-box intended for use by Veterinarians to help them identify the presence of SIV by in-the-field diagnosis.  The kit includes all materials necessary to perform on-the-farm diagnosis: a swine flu clinical symptom reminder card, a thermometer, a Synbiotics Flu Detect™ swine diagnostic kit, nasal swabs and instructions for use.

The Synbiotics Flu Detect™ swine diagnostic kit enables quite simply to know if SIV is present or not in a fever-affected pig; it does not identify which specific strain is involved - this can of course only be performed by PCR and viral isolation from the nasal swab in local labs.

For further information regarding the obtention and use of the MERIAL Flu-Kit in your country, please contact your Merial representative.

Gripovac®3, developed with IDT-BIOLOGIKA, was granted market authorisation on 14th January 2010 by the European Commission and will be distributed by Merial in all European countries except Germany (IDT) in 25 or 50-dose bottles according to the country. 

For further information on Swine Influenza please consult: www.aboutswineinfluenza.com  (available soon).”

Merial Flu-Kit

 

Press Contacts
Thaïs Vila DVM Swine Technical Director EMEA Business Operations Thais.vila@merial.com	Amanda Evans BA Manager, Business Operations Communications EMEA Amanda.evans@merial.com

For additional details about Merial, please go to www.merial.com.

Synbiotics has corporate headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri with ISO certified manufacturing facilities in Lyon, France and San Diego, California.

For years, Synbiotics has been a leader in the detection of Avian Influenza Virus and this technology has facilitated the development of Flu DETECT™ SWINE as well as Flu DETECT™ EQUINE.  Interested individuals may learn more about Synbiotics at www.synbiotics.com.

Synbiotics Corporation is pleased to announce that Mr. Ronan Molloy has joined the
company as Vice President, Sales & Marketing and will serve the company as an
officer and member of its Executive Management Committee. Synbiotics President
and CEO, Mr. Paul Hays stated, “Ronan has a proven track record in growing
businesses and will play a key leadership role in Synbiotics”. Molloy will lead and
direct the Synbiotics Area Sales Managers, Marketing Services and Strategic
Marketing.

Molloy comes to Synbiotics with an extensive educational and commercial
background. Molloy received a Bachelors degree in Economics from the University of
Kansas and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School
of Law. His track record in growing businesses is exemplified by his 10 years at Primus
Corporation where, as their lead sales producer, he ascended from Regional Sales
Manager to Vice President of International Sales & Marketing. Most recently, Ronan
has been principle of RPM Consultancy LLC a Life Science Consulting firm specializing in
International Sales Expansion, Corporate Strategy and M&A.

Synbiotics Corporation is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of
veterinary diagnostics and services for veterinary practices, livestock and poultry
producers, reference laboratories and animal breeders world-wide. We are the
leader in animal diagnostics of zoonotic pathogens. Synbiotics manufactures at two
sites with one facility in San Diego, California and one operating out of Lyon, France
providing innovative, quality products and services for the health and well-being of
animals. Both facilities are permitted by the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) and are ISO 9001 certified.

The Synbiotics Board of Directors has unanimously agreed to promote Michael Woodard to the position of Vice President, Production as well as to appoint him an officer of Synbiotics Corporation. Synbiotics President and CEO, Mr. Paul Hays stated, “Mike has demonstrated strong leadership, planning and management skills in his current position and the Board of Directors is confident in his ability to continue to contribute to the company’s growth and financial success.”

Woodard joined Synbiotics in 2005 and quickly rose to Executive Director of Operations in the San Diego facility. His tenure has included continuous improvement of manufacturing and distribution. Earning a B.A. in Operations Management from California State University Fullerton in 1992, Woodard gained nineteen years of valuable experience in the electronics industry including manufacturing management positions with Diceon Electronics and Sanmina-SCI. Mr. Woodard holds CPIM and CSCP certifications through APICS and a Six Sigma Black Belt certification through ABI.

Woodard is respected by his colleagues throughout the global company. Synbiotics manufactures at two sites with one facility in San Diego, California and one operating out of Lyon, France providing innovative, quality products and services for the health and well-being of animals. Both facilities are permitted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and are ISO 9001:2000 certified.

Synbiotics has participated in numerous training and/or simulation excercises to equip agencies in various countries and regions with the expertise to implement Avian Influenza Type A virus surveillance programs.  This demonstrates the commitment that Synbiotics has to serve mankind through products and services that contribute to the production of a healthy and abundant protein food supply.

Recently, Synbiotics collaborated with ECTAD (Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases Operations) and FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) in Chad.  Synbiotics’ willingness to provide onsite expertise allowed for the training of more than 200 participants which can then in turn coordinate the implementation of surveillance programs in their region.  (http://www.fao-ectad-bamako.org/fr/A-technical-partnership-between)

Synbiotics provided similar training during a training workshop concerning highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Dakar.  Dr Benkhelil Abdelghani of Synbiotics Europe discussed and demonstrated the rapid diagnostic kit, Flu DETECT™ and the avian influenza virus ELISA kit, ProFLOK® AIV Plus.  (http://www.fao-ectad-bamako.org/fr/Laboratory-Workshop-at-Dakar)

Other associations including USAID with the STOP AI program have also received Synbiotics commitments for product donations and/or participation in laboratory diagnostics training of personnel.  (http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PDACN983.pdf). 

These collaborations are one way that Synbiotics can provide solutions for difficult issues such as HPAI currently faced in many areas throughout the world.  Although a manufacturer of diagnostic kits, Synbiotics recognizes the need for specific training and service beyond delivery of our products.

Synbiotics produces sensitive and specific antigen (Avian Influenza Type A Antigen Test; Flu DETECT®) and antibody (ProFLOK® AIV Plus and Flu DETECT® BE) tests for on-site surveillance and early detection of Type A influenza in avian species.  In addition, Synbiotics provides kits for detection of Equine and Swine Influenza Virus Type A.  Synbiotics is a multinational company with a sales, service and marketing team possessing a vast knowledge of our products, interpretation of diagnostic results and understanding the needs of our customers.

In collaboration with Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, Synbiotics will present a scientific poster on measurement of declining maternal and post vaccination antibody titers to PCV-2 in serum samples from piglets. Dr. Chinta Lamichhane, Synbiotics Vice President of R&D and CSO, will discuss the findings during the International Pig Veterinary Society this July (www.ipvs2010.com). 

University and industry collaborative scientific efforts are welcomed and represent a key component of the Synbiotics global research team.  Synbiotics manufactures at two sites: San Diego, California and Lyon, France.  Both facilities are permitted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and are ISO 9001:2000 certified.  For additional information, contact Synbiotics at 800-228-4305 or 816-464-3500.

In order to provide a quick and convenient ordering format for its customers, Synbiotics developed www.BuyWitness.com.  Through this website, users can easily log in, create an account and utilize their credit card to purchase any WITNESS® product.  The site allows customers to order around their own schedule throughout the day or night.  The site currently provides shipments to locations within the United States only.

All of the Synbiotics’ WITNESS® products are made using Rapid Immuno Migration RIMTM technology.  Using this format, samples which are positive for the antigen of interest will cause formation of a test line in addition to the control line which always appears in valid tests.  In addition to accuracy, key benefits of the test are room temperature storage, ease of use, only seconds of hands-on time, and results within minutes.  All materials for the assay itself are included in the kit making it an ideal in-clinic test.  As with other diagnostic kits, blood collection and processing equipment are required but not provided.

Synbiotics launched www.BuyWitness.com on January 15, 2010, and is currently featuring a promotion on the site.  Currently, the low cost, regular prices for WITNESS® kits are discounted 50% when purchased via the site through January 31, 2010.  The convenience of the ordering process coupled with the significant savings offered through www.BuyWitness.com attest to Synbiotics’ customer-centric mission.

For additional information, go to www.BuyWitness.com or contact Synbiotics at 1-800-228-4305 or customerservice1@synbiotics.com.  Customers are also encouraged to learn more about Synbiotics’ global resource of diagnostic products and canine reproduction services at www.synbiotics.com.

Animal Health Corridor News Alert, January 21, 2010

In last evening's Missouri State of the State address, Governor Nixon highlighted proposed legislation that would create an important new incentive for bioscience company growth in the state of Missouri.
The Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act (MOSIRA) is a program that would operate much like the Kansas Bioscience Authority. By reinvesting a portion of tax dollars from existing Missouri biosciences companies, MOSIRA would offer a pool of support for new biosciences and animal health companies.

The Governor held up a regional KC success from a few years ago as the perfect example of the kind of company MOSIRA would attract. Synbiotics Corporation is a global animal health diagnostics company that relocated to KC from San Diego in 2007. Governor Nixon said,

We want our bio-tech companies to grow because that creates more jobs. But just as important are the corollaries of that growth: a culture of excellence and collaboration, a forum where brilliant minds find kindred spirits, a hotbed of ideas that spark innovation, and a nexus of risk and reward, where start-ups thrive.

Synbiotics is a perfect example of how this synergy works to Missouri's advantage.

We salute Synbiotics for their ongoing commitment to the KC region and the KC Animal Health Corridor. We thank everyone at the state level who is moving the MOSIRA program toward reality, and we look forward to sharing more news with you on this important development for our region, and for biosciences growth in Missouri.

Kansas City, Missouri - On December 24, 2009, Synbiotics launched its new global website at www.Synbiotics.com.  The site provides a complete resource for all Synbiotics products manufactured in the US and France.  In addition, the ease  and efficiency of navigation have been significantly improved; these qualities are in line with Synbiotics’ customer centric mission.  The website was developed under the initiative of Synbiotics Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Mr. Kevin Hayes.  Hayes stated, “The new website demonstrates our commitment to global leadership and our mission to be the preferred diagnostic resource in the animal health industry.”

The enhanced website also features an entire Reproduction Services section providing educational information and resources to our customers.  Synbiotics stores the largest collection of canine frozen semen in the world and offers assistance and services to veterinarians and breeders across the globe. 

Synbiotics Corporation is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of veterinary diagnostics and services for veterinary practices, reference laboratories and animal breeders world-wide.  Our core competencies include immunology, immunodiagnostics and reproduction. Synbiotics manufactures at two sites: San Diego, California and Lyon, France.  Both facilities are permitted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and are ISO 9001:2000 certified.

Synbiotics’ website can be accessed at www.Synbiotics.com.