DEERFIELD, Ill., May 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Siemens Healthcare and Laboratory Corporation of America(R) Holdings (LabCorp(R)) today announced that they have entered a non-exclusive agreement to discuss future possibilities to co-develop new clinical diagnostic tests in the areas of companion diagnostics, metabolic syndrome, oncology and diabetes. Under the agreement, initial discussions will focus on developing new tests that could make the biggest impact to patient care. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO ) Companion diagnostics are tests designed to identify the suitability between patients and a particular drug therapy. The tests can be used in personalized medicine to improve safety and efficacy of therapeutic drugs and in some cases, may help determine optimal dosing for individual patients. Metabolic syndrome is becoming more common and is characterized by a person having multiple risk factors that may include high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes, among others. It's estimated that more than 50 million people are affected by this syndrome in the United States alone(1). Diabetes is a chronic disease currently affecting more than 180 million people worldwide and is likely to more than double by 2030(2). Early detection and treatment of diabetes may enable a patient to better maintain their lifestyle. In addition, the possibility of advancing early detection of cancer is important as it may lead to higher survival rates. One in eight deaths worldwide is due to cancer, and in 2007, there were more than 12 million estimated new cancer cases worldwide(3). Siemens is a leader in the diagnostic industry with the broadest range of products and services used for diagnosing medical conditions and monitoring patient therapy; LabCorp is a reference laboratory successfully serving more than 220,000 clients in America. Together, the companies are well positioned to co-develop and introduce new diagnostic tests that may advance patient care through early detection and proper monitoring of disease. "This agreement establishes a framework that gives both companies the opportunity to offer new diagnostic tests to laboratories, physicians and their patients more quickly and effectively than either could do alone," said Dave Hickey, senior vice president strategic planning and business development, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. "Advancing health care for patients is an important commitment that we can reach through strategic relationships such as this." "LabCorp is excited about this strategic collaboration and its impact on our companion diagnostics efforts," said Myla P. Lai-Goldman, M.D., executive vice president, chief scientific officer and medical director for LabCorp. "Alliances, such as this between developers and providers of new tests, are critical in translating emerging biomarkers from research into clinical practice." About Siemens Healthcare Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare will be the first fully integrated diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care -- from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of euro 9.85 billion (on a pro forma basis including Dade Behring roughly euro 11 billion), orders of euro 10.27 billion, and group profit of euro 1.32 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare. About LabCorp(R) Laboratory Corporation of America(R) Holdings, a S&P 500 company, is a pioneer in commercializing new diagnostic technologies and the first in its industry to embrace genomic testing. With annual revenues of $4.1 billion in 2007, over 26,000 employees nationwide, and more than 220,000 clients, LabCorp offers clinical assays ranging from routine blood analyses to HIV and genomic testing. LabCorp combines its expertise in innovative clinical testing technology with its Centers of Excellence: The Center for Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Genetics Institute, Inc., ViroMed Laboratories, Inc., The Center for Esoteric Testing, DIANON Systems, Inc., US LABS, and Esoterix and its Colorado Coagulation, Endocrine Sciences, and Cytometry Associates laboratories. LabCorp conducts clinical trial testing through its Esoterix Clinical Trials Services division. LabCorp clients include physicians, government agencies, managed care organizations, hospitals, clinical labs, and pharmaceutical companies. To learn more about our organization, visit our Web site at: http://www.labcorp.com/. (1) American Heart Association (AHA) 2008. Web site accessed Febuary 15, 2008: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4756 (2) World Health Organization (WHO) 2008. Web site accessed Feburary 15, 2008: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs312/en/index.html (3) Global Cancer Facts & Figures 2007; Publication of the American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia. View this document on the following link: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/STT/content/STT_1x_Global_Cancer_Facts_and_Figur es_2007.asp (Due to length of URL, Please copy and paste link into browser. Remove the space if one exists). http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGODATASOURCE: Siemens Healthcare CONTACT: Marion Bludszuweit, +49 (9131) 84-3292, ; or Audra Murphy, +1-610-448-4547, Web site: http://www.usa.siemens.com/healthcare http://www.labcorp.com/

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