Quidel Announces Executive Appointments

Quidel Corporation (NASDAQ: QDEL), a leader in point-of-care rapid diagnostic tests, today announced the addition of several executives to enhance its management team in the areas of science, technology and business development. Tim Stenzel, M.D., Ph.D. has been named Chief Scientific Officer. Working with Dr. Stenzel in the area of technology assessment is Judi Tilghman, Ph.D., who joined Quidel in July. Larry Mimms, Ph.D. joined Quidel to lead the research and development function, and Ratan Borkar has been named Vice President of Business Development.

"I am pleased to announce these important executive additions that enhance the Quidel management team,” said Douglas C. Bryant, President and Chief Executive Officer. "These individuals bring a wealth of experience and talent to our organization in a number of key areas that are critical to ensuring our continued long-term growth.”

Beginning in September, Dr. Stenzel will be responsible for technology assessment as well as implementing Quidel’s molecular diagnostics strategy. Dr. Stenzel most recently was Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for molecular diagnostics company Asuragen. He has also held senior positions at Abbott Laboratories and Duke University, where he established Duke's molecular lab capabilities. Dr. Stenzel received his M.D. and Ph.D. from Duke University.

Dr. Tilghman, Vice President, Technology Assessment most recently worked for EMD Chemicals, Luminex and Sigma Aldrich in strategic planning and business development roles. Dr. Tilghman has broad management experience in strategic planning, business development, product development, and technology acquisition and integration. She has a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Dr. Mimms, Vice President, Research and Development, has held a number of senior executive positions with Gen-Probe and most recently headed his own company, VDx LLC, which focused on the development of a rapid HIV diagnostic test. His doctorate is in biochemistry from Duke University.

Mr. Borkar comes to Quidel from J.P. Morgan where he worked in investment banking, most recently as Vice President, Healthcare Group covering companies in molecular diagnostics, life sciences and clinical research areas. Mr. Borkar has an MBA from the University of Michigan.

About Quidel

Quidel Corporation serves to enhance the health and well being of people around the globe through the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of rapid diagnostic solutions at the point of care (POC) in infectious diseases and reproductive health. Marketed under the leading brand name of QuickVue^®, Quidel’s portfolio of products currently includes tests that aid in the diagnosis of several disease or condition states, including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, Fecal Occult Blood, Strep A, pregnancy, H. pylori and Chlamydia. Quidel's products are sold to healthcare professionals with a focus on the physician office lab and acute care markets through leading medical distribution partners on a worldwide basis. Quidel's Specialty Products Group (SPG) develops research products in the fields of oncology and bone health with potential future point-of-care applications. By building value in rapid diagnostic tests, Quidel provides leadership to the industry and among healthcare professionals allowing for the movement of patient testing out of the central laboratory setting and into the physician office, urgent care and other outpatient settings where rapid testing and treatment have an impact on clinical outcomes and provide an economic benefit. For more information, visit www.quidel.com, www.colorectal-test.com, www.rsvtesting.com or www.flutest.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws that involve material risks, assumptions and uncertainties. Many possible events or factors could affect our future financial results and performance, such that our actual results and performance may differ materially from those that may be described or implied in the forward-looking statements. As such, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Differences in actual results and performance may arise as a result of a number of factors including, without limitation, seasonality, the timing of onset, length and severity of cold and flu seasons, the level of success in executing our strategic initiatives, uncertainty surrounding the detection of novel influenza viruses involving human specimens, adverse changes in the competitive and economic conditions in domestic and international markets, actions of our major distributors, technological changes and uncertainty with research and technology development, including any future molecular-based technology, the reimbursement system currently in place and future changes to that system, manufacturing and production delays or difficulties, adverse actions or delays in product reviews by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, intellectual property, product liability, environmental or other litigation, potential required patent license fee payments not currently reflected in our costs, potential inadequacy of booked reserves and possible impairment of goodwill, and lower-than-anticipated sales or market penetration of our new products. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by the use of terms such as "may,” "will,” "should,” "might,” "expect,” "anticipate,” "estimate,” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. The risks described under "Risk Factors” in reports and registration statements that we file with the SEC from time to time should be carefully considered. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s analysis only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the results of any revision or update of the forward-looking statements, except as required by law.