HERCULES, CA--(Marketwire - Nov 1, 2011) - Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: [ BIO ]) and (NYSE: [ BIO.B ]), a multinational manufacturer and distributor of life science research and clinical diagnostic products, announced financial results today for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011.

Third-quarter reported revenues were $516.5 million, up 9.5% compared to $471.5 million reported for the third quarter of 2010. On a currency-neutral basis, quarterly revenues increased 1.1% compared to the same period last year. Third-quarter gross margin increased to 57.3%, compared to 56.5% during the same quarter in 2010.

Net income attributable to Bio-Rad for the third quarter was $45.9 million, or $1.61 per share on a fully diluted basis versus $1.59 per share reported for the same period last year.

Year-to-date revenues grew by 9.3% to $1.5 billion compared to $1.4 billion for the first three quarters of 2010. Adjusting for the impact of currency, revenue growth was 3.4%.

Year-to-date net income attributable to Bio-Rad for 2011 was $119.0 million, or $4.18 per share on a fully diluted basis compared to $117.6 million, or $4.18 per share during the same period in 2010.

"While performance in the third-quarter shows good momentum and growth in many of our core product areas, we are feeling the impact of an uncertain economic environment in many of our markets abroad," said Norman Schwartz, Bio-Rad President and Chief Executive Officer. "As we wrap up the year, we will carefully monitor these pressures on our global operation and look for new opportunities to grow our business."

Life Science
The Life Science segment net sales for the third quarter were $171.5 million, up 11.9% compared to the same period last year. On a currency-neutral basis, Life Science segment sales increased by 5.1% compared to the third quarter of 2010. These results reflect strength of the segment's electrophoresis and imaging product lines, which showed solid growth during the third quarter. Performance was also bolstered by the Company's amplification products, several new product launches, as well as assays for the Bio-Plex^® suspension array system, which can analyze up to 100 biomolecules in a single patient sample.

Clinical Diagnostics
Reported net sales for the Clinical Diagnostics segment in the third quarter rose to $341.3 million, up 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On a currency-neutral basis, sales were down 0.9%. Overall performance of the Clinical Diagnostics segment was negatively affected by economic challenges impacting worldwide healthcare markets, partially offset by continuing growth of our quality controls and BioPlex^® 2200 product lines. In July, the Company announced that it had received FDA Premarket Application approval from the FDA for its fourth-generation HIV assay, the GS HIV Combo Ag/Ab EIA (enzyme immunoassay). The new assay detects both HIV antigens and HIV antibodies, offering earlier detection of HIV infections, including acute HIV infections.

Management will discuss these results in a conference call at 2 PM Pacific Time (5 PM Eastern Time) November 1, 2011. Interested parties may access the call by dialing 800-322-5044 (in the U.S.) or 617-614-4927 (international), access number 51248028.

A live webcast of the conference call may be accessed in the "Investor Relations" section of [ www.bio-rad.com ]. A replay of the call will be available at 888-286-8010 (in the U.S.) or 617-801-6888 (international), access number 19666335, for seven days following the call. The webcast of the call will be archived on the Bio-Rad site for on-demand replay for up to a year and may be accessed in the "Investor Relations" section of [ www.bio-rad.com ].

About Bio-Rad
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: [ BIO ]) and (NYSE: [ BIO.B ]), has remained at the center of scientific discovery for more than 50 years, manufacturing and distributing a broad range of products for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets. The Company is renowned worldwide among hospitals, universities, major research institutions, as well as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies for its commitment to quality and customer service. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is headquartered in Hercules, California, and serves more than 85,000 research and industry customers worldwide through its global network of operations. The Company employs over 6,800 people globally and had revenues exceeding $1.9 billion in 2010. For more information, visit [ www.bio-rad.com ].

This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "intend," "estimate," "continue," or similar expressions or the negative of those terms or expressions. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. For further information regarding the Company's risks and uncertainties, please refer to the "Risk Factors" in the Company's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect an analysis only and speak only as of the date hereof. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.