Gen-Probe Reports Strong Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Full...( - Company Posts Fourth Qua...)

- Company Posts Fourth Quarter EPS of $0.37, Up 16% - - For Full Year 2007, Strong Operating Earnings and Tax Benefits Drive EPS

Up 41%; Total Revenues and Product Sales Both Grow 14% - - In 2008, Gen-Probe Expects Highest Pre-Tax Income Growth in Four Years,

Driving Anticipated EPS of $1.64 to $1.72 -

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gen-Probe Incorporated (Nasdaq: GPRO) today reported strong financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2007, including quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of $0.37.

"Gen-Probe once again posted good financial results in the fourth quarter of 2007, led by the continued growth of our clinical diagnostics business," said Henry L. Nordhoff, the Company's chairman and chief executive officer. "In addition, our fourth quarter performance completed an excellent 2007 in which strong operating earnings and tax benefits combined to drive EPS up 41%."

In the fourth quarter of 2007, product sales were $92.4 million, compared to $85.5 million in the prior year period, an increase of 8%. Total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2007 were $98.9 million, compared to $91.1 million in the prior year period, an increase of 9%. Net income in the fourth quarter of 2007 was $20.4 million, compared to $17.1 million in the prior year period, an increase of 19%. EPS in the fourth quarter of 2007 were $0.37, compared to $0.32 in the prior year period, an increase of 16%. In this press release, all per share amounts are calculated on a fully diluted basis, and all results are presented in US GAAP.

For the full year 2007, product sales were $370.9 million, compared to $325.3 million in the prior year, an increase of 14%. Total r
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