Idexx Laboratories has beefed up its reference lab network with the acquisition of Marshfield Laboratories’ Wisconsin-based veterinary arm. Terms were not announced.
“Marshfield is a highly professional, well-run laboratory that has a national customer base with a relatively stronger presence in the mid and upper Midwest regions,” Idexx CEO and President Jay Mazelsky said on an earnings conference call Oct. 31. “We look forward to quickly bringing our unique innovations like SDMA, fecal antigen and VetConnect Plus, to name just a few, to Marshfield customers, many of whom we work with today.”
A letter sent from Marshfield to 2,000 clients nationwide noted the rapidly changing landscape in veterinary diagnostics.
“Marshfield Labs also realizes that to maintain leadership in this dynamic field, continuous investment in service development is critical to keep pace with the demands customers have for new technologies and information management solutions,” the company stated. “Competition for resources within our rapidly expanding health care system has, however, made it increasingly difficult to maintain this high level of commitment expected by our customers.”
Marshfield reported that it was working to make the transition as seamless as possible. “As of today, everything you currently experience as a Marshfield Labs customer remains the same — pricing, test codes, pickup and turnaround times, customer support contacts, etc.,” the letter stated.
An Idexx letter spelled out what customers can expect:
“As a first step in this transition, we are pleased to share that the following Idexx Reference Laboratories benefits will be made available to you at no additional cost beginning in spring 2020:
- “The Idexx SDMA test will be added to all chemistry profiles.
- “Reticulocyte count and reticulocyte hemoglobin will be added to all CBCs.
- “Your practice will receive VetConnect Plus software, the go-to diagnostic resource for fast, effective clinical decision-making.
- “There will be no changes to your practice’s existing Marshfield Labs pricing through 2020.”
VIN News Service reported that Idexx acquired Marshfield after outbidding Zoetis Inc., Antech Diagnostics, Heska Corp. and ZNLabs.