Heska Corporation Announces USDA Approval for New Equine Flu Vaccine

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (PROTEXT) - Heska Corporation (Nasdaq: HSKA), a leader in the companion animal health market, today announced that its new proprietary equine influenza vaccine has received USDA approval. The product, Flu Avert(TM) I.N. vaccine, is expected to be made available to veterinarians in approximately two weeks. Robert Grieve, Chief Executive Officer of Heska, said, "We are particularly pleased with the USDA approval and look forward to marketing this product for several reasons. First, equine influenza is a health issue that poses a significant risk to the estimated six million horses in the United States. We currently believe that approximately half of these horses routinely receive vaccination, so this represents a significant market opportunity for Heska. Industry sources have estimated the total equine vaccine market at $50 million in the U.S. alone. In addition, the European market potential for the product is also quite sizeable. We will be seeking regulatory approval in Europe and we anticipate marketing the product there in approximately two years. "Secondly, the current equine influenza vaccines on the market simply do not afford the degree of protection required by horse owners today. As a result, horses are frequently subjected to repeated vaccinations -- as often as six times per year -- and still contract the disease. In clinical trials, Flu Avert I.N. vaccine has been shown to provide excellent protection for at least six months. The product is also extremely safe," Grieve added. "We believe this product affords an unprecedented level of protection in the prevention of equine flu. This is especially important to the owners of performance horses that regularly come into contact with other horses." In addition to the strong safety and efficacy profile of Flu Avert I.N. vaccine, the product has several novel characteristics that set it apart from others on the market. The product is a "modified-live" virus vaccine. This type of vaccine is generally considered to be more effective than "killed" virus vaccines. Heska's vaccine is also unique in that it is administered by the use of a nasal applicator, rather than through injection. The effectiveness of Flu Avert I.N. vaccine was demonstrated in extensive challenge studies which exposed both vaccinated and unvaccinated horses to virulent strains of the most common flu viruses. "We know of no other equine influenza vaccine that has gone through the extensive challenge studies that were an integral part of our clinical trials," said Grieve. Heska discovers, develops, manufactures and markets companion animal health products, primarily for dogs, cats and horses. Heska has a large and sophisticated scientific effort devoted to applying biotechnology to the large and growing companion animal health market. Heska also offers diagnostic and patient monitoring instrumentation and supplies, as well as laboratory diagnostic products and services in the United States and Europe to veterinarians, and operates USDA- and FDA-licensed facilities, which manufacture vaccine, pharmaceutical, and allergy immunotherapy products. For additional information on Heska and its products, visit the company's web site at www.heska.com. With the exception of historical matters, this press release contains express or implied forward-looking information about Heska's products and markets, including statements concerning product availability, market acceptance and the market opportunity for this product. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Heska to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements. Heska's achievement of these results may be affected by many factors, including among others, the following: delays in the availability of this product; delays in or failure to achieve market acceptance of this product; the failure of this product to perform in the marketplace on the same basis as in clinical trials; the inability to obtain renewal or continuation of contracts, or maintain exclusivity, to market, sell or distribute the product described herein; uncertainties regarding the ability to receive required European regulatory approvals in a timely manner, if at all; uncertainties regarding the scope, enforceability and validity of patents and proprietary rights, which are subject to complex legal standards that vary from country to country and are subject to interpretation by administrative agencies and courts; quality of management; competition; changes in business strategy or development plans; inability to manufacture, market, sell or distribute products at currently projected costs and the risks set forth in Heska's filings and future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in Heska's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 under the caption "Business-Factors that May Affect Results," and in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999 under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Factors that May Affect Results." ots Original Text Service: Heska Corporation Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Ron Hendrick, Executive Vice President & CFO, or Robert Grieve, Chief Executive Officer of Heska Corporation, 970-493-7272; or Judy Brenna, Investor Relations, 212-696-4455, Ext. 221, or Matthew Knight, Media Relations, 212-696-4455, Ext. 271, both of Noonan/Russo Communications, Inc. Web site: http://www.heska.com Subscribers please note that material bearing the slug "PROTEXT" is not part of CTK's news service and is not to be published under the "CTK" slug. Protext is a commercial service providing distribution of press releases from clients, who are identified in the text of Protext reports and who bear full responsibility for their contents. PROTEXT