Summary
QuidelOrtho Corporation focuses on the development and manufacture of diagnostic testing technologies across the continuum of healthcare testing needs. The company operates through Labs, Transfusion Medicine, Point-of-Care, and Molecular Diagnostics business units. The Labs business unit provides clinical chemistry laboratory instruments and tests that measure target chemicals in bodily fluids for the evaluation of health and the clinical management of patients; immunoassay laboratory instruments and tests, which measure proteins as they act as antigens in the spread of disease, antibodies in the immune response spurred by disease, or markers of proper organ function and health; testing products to detect and monitor disease progression across a spectrum of therapeutic areas; and specialized diagnostic solutions. The Transfusion Medicine business unit offers immunohematology instruments and tests used for blood typing to ensure patient-donor compatibility in blood transfusions; and donor screening instruments and tests used for blood and plasma screening for infectious diseases. The Point-of-Care business unit provides tests to provide rapid results across a continuum of point-of-care settings. The Molecular Diagnostics business unit offers polymerase chain reaction thermocyclers; and analyzers and amplification systems. The company sells its products directly to end users through a direct sales force; and through a network of distributors for professional use in physician offices, hospitals, clinical laboratories, reference laboratories, urgent care clinics, universities, retail clinics, pharmacies, wellness screening centers, blood banks, and donor centers, as well as for individual, non-professional, and over-the-counter use. It operates in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, China, and internationally. The company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
History
Quidel was founded by Dr. David H. Katz, M.D., commencing operations in 1981 and launched its first products in 1984. Quidel Corporation was formed in 1991 when Quidel and Monoclonal Antibodies merged.In 1988, Dr. Katz, a founder and chief scientific officer at Quidel, resigned to devote his energies to the Medical Biology Institute, a nonprofit research group in La Jolla, California that is closely allied with Quidel.On June 18, 1997 Quidel settled a lawsuit with Becton Dickinson. Quidel had been accused of infringing patents on Becton's strep and chlamydia products. Quidel agreed to buy a product license and pay royalties on its product sales.In 1999, Quidel acquired Metra Biosystems, Inc.to participate in bone health assessment. In 2000, Quidel acquired Litmus Concepts, Inc., a privately held in vitro diagnostic company.In February 2004, Inverness Medical Innovations sued Quidel for patent infringement. That same month, Quidel countersued against Inverness.In 2010, Quidel acquired Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc. a privately held in vitro diagnostic company. In 2013, Quidel acquired BioHelix Corporation, established in 2004, and was to pay $10 million to the BioHelix shareholders.In May 2020, Quidel’s Sofia 2 SARS Antigen FIA has become the first COVID-19 antigen test to be granted Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA, approved by former Quidel employee Tim Stenzel.in December 2021, Quidel announced it would acquire Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Holdings for $6 billion in cash and stock, increasing the range of COVID-19 antigen and antibody tests the business is able to offer.
List of mergers and acquisitions
The following is an illustration of the company's major mergers and acquisitions and historical predecessors:
Mission
At Quidel Ortho, it is our mission to continually innovate in medical diagnostics and to offer the highest quality, most precise and precise and reliable testing solutions that enable our customers to provide the best possible care for their patients. Our commitment to providing our customers with excellence and innovation has enabled us to become a leader in the industry.
Vision
Our vision is to be a global provider of accurate and reliable testing solutions that enable our customers to provide the highest quality healthcare and the best possible care for their patients. We strive to create value through innovation, create partnerships with our customers and help them to improve the quality of healthcare around the world.
Key Team
Dr. Werner Kroll Ph.D. (Sr. VP of R&D)
Mr. Joseph M. Busky CPA (Chief Financial Officer)
Ruben Argueta (Director of Investor Relations)
Ms. Louise Brandy (Chief Information Officer)
Mr. Michael S. Iskra (Chief Commercial Officer)
Mr. Patrick E. Klein (Chief Admin. Officer)
Phillip S. Askim (VP, Associate Gen. Counsel & Sec.)
Recognition and Awards
Quidel Ortho has been awarded numerous awards in recognition of its innovation and commitment to providing high-quality products and services to its customers. These awards include the Gold Edison Award, the Ohio Governor’s Award for Medical Diagnostic Excellence, and the Ingestive Innovation Award. The company has also been selected for inclusion on the Medical Device Manufacturer’s Association Top 100 list for the past thirteen years.
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