On July 3, 2006, we completed the acquisition of Focus Technologies Holding Company (“Focus Diagnostics”) in an all-cash transaction valued at $208 million, including approximately $3 million of assumed debt. We financed the acquisition and related transaction costs and the repayment of substantially all of Focus Diagnostics’ outstanding debt with $135 million of borrowings under our secured receivables credit facility and with cash on-hand, as described in Note 2 to the interim consolidated financial statements.
Focus Diagnostics is a leading provider of infectious and immunologic disease testing and develops and markets diagnostic products. It offers its reference testing services and diagnostic products to large academic medical centers, hospitals and commercial laboratories.
On August 31, 2006, we completed the acquisition of Enterix Inc. (“Enterix”), a privately held Australia-based company that developed and manufactures the InSure™ Fecal Immunochemical Test, an FDA-cleared test for use in screening for colorectal cancer and other sources of lower gastrointestinal bleeding, for approximately $44 million in cash, as described in Note 2 to the interim consolidated financial statements.
On January 31, 2007, we acquired POCT Holding AB (“HemoCue”), a Sweden-based company specializing in near patient testing, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $450 million, including $113 million of assumed debt of HemoCue, as described in Note 2 to the interim consolidated financial statements. The transaction, which was financed through a new term loan, is not expected to have a material impact on our 2007 financial results.
HemoCue is the leading international provider in near patient testing for hemoglobin, with a growing share in professional glucose and microalbumin testing. In addition, HemoCue is currently developing new tests including a near patient test to determine white blood cell counts. This acquisition complements our near patient testing for infectious disease and cancer, including new tests for colorectal cancer screening and herpes simplex type 2. The acquisition will increase our presence in the growing near patient testing market and leverage HemoCue’s international presence to reach new markets around the world.
Our clinical testing business currently represents our one reportable business segment. The clinical testing business accounted for approximately 91% and 93% of net revenues from continuing operations in 2007 and 2006, respectively. Our other operating segments consist of our risk assessment services business, our clinical trials testing business, our healthcare information technology business, MedPlus, and our diagnostic products business. On April 19, 2006, we decided to discontinue the operations of a test kit manufacturing subsidiary, NID. During the third quarter of 2006, we completed our wind down of NID and classified the operations of NID as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Our business segment information is disclosed in Note 10 to the interim consolidated financial statements.
Income from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 decreased to $108 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, compared to $155 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, in 2006. The decrease in income from continuing operations was principally associated with our change in contract status with UNH, which reduced revenues by an estimated $75 million and operating income by an estimated $55 million, or $0.17 per share.
Results for the three months ended March 31, 2007 include pre-tax charges of $11 million, or $0.03 per share, associated with workforce reductions in response to reduced volume levels, and a pre-tax charge of $4.0 million, or $0.01 per share, related to in-process research and development expense associated with the HemoCue acquisition. In addition, results for the three months ended March 31, 2007 were unfavorably impacted by severe storms in the central part of the United States, which reduced revenues by approximately $13 million for the quarter and operating income by approximately $10 million, or $0.03 per share.
Results for the three months ended March 31, 2006 include pre-tax charges of $27 million, or $0.08 per share, primarily associated with integration activities and a pre-tax gain of $16 million, or $0.05 per share, associated with the sale of an investment.
Net Revenues
Net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2007 were $1.5 billion, 1.7% below the prior year level. Our acquisitions of Focus Diagnostics, Enterix and HemoCue contributed about 2% to revenue growth for the three months ended March 31, 2007.
Revenues in our clinical testing business, which accounted for over 90% of our 2007 net revenues, were 3% below the prior year level, on a 7% volume decrease and 4% increase in revenue per requisition. The increase in revenue per requisition was primarily driven by a positive mix shift and an increase in the number of tests ordered per requisition. We estimate that revenues declined approximately 5% due to our change in status with UNH, with volume reduced by approximately 6%, partially offset by a positive impact to revenue per requisition of about 1%. The positive impact to revenue per requisition is associated with higher reimbursement on the retained UNH work. As of March 31, 2007 we estimate that about 70% of our UNH business has moved to various contracted providers. While this is somewhat more than we had anticipated to move by this date, and we believe is due to UNH’s actions, we have retained more of the discretionary work from physicians than we initially estimated. We believe that the higher retention of discretionary business is due to our superior service levels, which we improved during the quarter, and the efforts of our sales force to retain business. In addition, we worked to inform patients and their physicians that they do have a choice in selecting their laboratory provider and that there are important differences among providers.
While the net revenue impact associated with the UNH change was somewhat less than we had estimated, we saw roughly 2% slower growth than we had anticipated due to focusing our sales force on customer retention and clarifying significant misinformation in the marketplace, which had circulated about the UNH situation during the fourth quarter of 2006 and the first quarter of 2007. However, as we exited the quarter, we were beginning to see underlying improvement in revenue growth, as our sales force began to refocus on winning new accounts and selling additional tests.
Also impacting revenue growth in the quarter were severe storms in the central part of the United States during the month of February, which reduced revenues and volume by about 1%.
Our businesses other than clinical laboratory testing accounted for approximately 9% of our net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2007. These businesses include our risk assessment services business, our clinical trials testing business, our healthcare information technology business, MedPlus, and our diagnostic products business. The revenues for these businesses as a group grew 17% over the prior year, with the increase primarily driven by our acquisitions of Focus Diagnostics, Enterix and HemoCue.
Operating Costs and Expenses
Total operating costs and expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2007 increased $31 million from the prior year period. While costs were reduced associated with lower volume levels and actions taken to reduce the size of our workforce, costs increased associated with annual compensation adjustments, increased expenditures to maintain and improve service levels, and costs associated with clarifying for patients, physicians and employers significant misinformation which had circulated about the UNH contract change. In addition, costs associated with the acquired operations of Focus Diagnostics, Enterix and HemoCue increased costs by approximately $30 million above the prior year. Results for the three months ended March 31, 2007, include $11 million of costs associated with workforce reductions ($3.9 million included in cost of services and $6.8 million included in selling, general and administrative) and $4 million of in-process research and development costs associated with the acquisition of HemoCue, which was recorded in other operating expense, net. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, $26.8 million in special charges are reflected in other operating expense, net and relate principally to costs associated with integrating LabOne, which we acquired in November 2005, and consolidating our operations in California into our new facility in West Hills.
Cost of services, which includes the costs of obtaining, transporting and testing specimens, was 61.1% of net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2007, increasing from 59.0% of net revenues in the prior year period. The increase over the prior year is primarily due to lower volumes in our clinical testing business and costs associated with workforce reductions. Partially offsetting these increases were improvements related to the increase in average revenue per requisition and efficiency gains resulting from our Six Sigma, standardization and consolidation initiatives.
Selling, general and administrative expenses, which include the costs of the sales force, billing operations, bad debt expense, and general management and administrative support, were 25.2% of net revenues for the three months ended March
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31, 2007, compared to 22.4% in the prior year period. The increase over the prior year is primarily due to lower volume levels in our clinical testing business, increased billing and bad debt expense associated with having to bill patients for a portion of the retained UNH work, costs associated with workforce reductions, and costs associated with efforts to retain business and clarify for patients, physicians and employers misinformation regarding the UNH contract change.
For the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, bad debt expense was 4.4% and 4.1% of net revenues, respectively. The higher bad debt rate was principally driven by higher bad debt expense associated with billing patients directly for a portion of the UNH volume.
Other operating expense, net represents miscellaneous income and expense items related to operating activities, including gains and losses associated with the disposal of operating assets and provisions for restructurings and other special charges. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, other operating expense, net includes a $4.0 million charge related to in-process research and development expense recorded in connection with the acquisition of HemoCue. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, other operating expense, net includes a charge of $20.7 million associated with the integration of LabOne. In addition, other operating expense, net for the three months ended March 31, 2006 includes a $4.1 million charge related to consolidating our operations in California into a new facility.
Operating Income
Operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $201 million, or 13.2% of net revenues, compared to $259 million, or 16.7% of net revenues, in the prior year period. The decrease from the prior year is primarily due to lower volume levels in our clinical testing business and the various items which served to increase costs of sales and selling, general and administrative costs as a percentage of revenues.
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense, net for the three months ended March 31, 2007 increased $3 million over the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to additional interest expense associated with $450 million of borrowings used to fund the acquisition of HemoCue, as described more fully in Note 5 to the interim consolidated financial statements.
Other income, net represents miscellaneous income and expense items related to non-operating activities such as gains and losses associated with investments and other non-operating assets. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, other income, net includes a $15.8 million gain on the sale of an investment.
Discontinued Operations
Our discontinued operations are comprised of NID, a test kit manufacturing subsidiary. During the fourth quarter of 2005, NID instituted its second voluntary product hold within a six-month period, due to quality issues, which adversely impacted the operating performance of NID. As a result, we evaluated a number of strategic options for NID. On April 19, 2006, we decided to discontinue NID’s operations. During the third quarter of 2006, we completed the wind down of NID’s operations. Results of NID are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $1.6 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared to $10.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share in 2006. Results for the three months ended March 31, 2007 reflect expenses associated with the on-going government investigation of NID. Results for the three months ended March 31, 2006 reflect losses from NID’s operations, due to its voluntary product hold instituted late in the second quarter of 2005 in connection with a quality review of all its products.
The government continues to investigate NID. Any costs resulting from this review will be included in discontinued operations. While we do not believe that these matters will have a material adverse impact on our overall financial condition, their final resolution could be material to our results of operations or cash flows in the period in which the impact of such matters is determined or paid. See Note 6 to the interim consolidated financial statements for a further description of these matters.
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We address our exposure to market risks, principally the market risk of changes in interest rates, through a controlled program of risk management that may include the use of derivative financial instruments. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. We do not believe that our foreign exchange exposure is material to our financial condition or results of operations. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion of our financial instruments and hedging activities.
At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the fair value of our debt was estimated at approximately $2.0 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively, using quoted market prices and yields for the same or similar types of borrowings, taking into account the underlying terms of the debt instruments. At March 31, 2007, the carrying value exceeded the estimated fair value of the debt by approximately $4.8 million. At December 31, 2006, the estimated fair value exceeded the carrying value of the debt by approximately $0.4 million. A hypothetical 10% increase in interest rates (representing approximately 53 and 59 basis points at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively) would potentially reduce the estimated fair value of our debt by approximately $32 million and $33 million at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
Borrowings under our senior unsecured revolving credit facility, our secured receivables credit facility, our term loan due December 2008, and our term loan due January 2008, are subject to variable interest rates. Interest on our secured receivables credit facility is based on rates that are intended to approximate commercial paper rates for highly- rated issuers. Interest rates on our senior unsecured revolving credit facility, term loan due December 2008 and term loan due January 2008 are subject to a pricing schedule that can fluctuate based on changes in our credit ratings. As such, our borrowing cost under these credit arrangements will be subject to both fluctuations in interest rates and changes in our credit ratings. As of March 31, 2007, the borrowing rate for our revolving credit facility was LIBOR plus 0.375%, for our term loan due December 2008 the borrowing rate was LIBOR plus 0.50% and for our term loan due January 2008 the borrowing rate was LIBOR plus 0.40% . At March 31, 2007, the LIBOR rate was 5.32% . At March 31, 2007, there was $60 million outstanding under our term loan due December 2008, $450 million outstanding under our term loan due January 2008, $300 million outstanding under our secured receivables credit facility and no borrowings outstanding under our $500 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility. Based on our net exposure to interest rate changes, a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates on our variable rate indebtedness (representing approximately 54 basis points) would impact annual net interest expense by approximately $4.4 million, assuming no changes to the debt outstanding at March 31, 2007. For details regarding our outstanding debt see Note 5 to the interim consolidated financial statements included in this report and Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Risk Associated with Investment Portfolio
Our investment portfolio includes equity investments in publicly held companies that are classified as available-for-sale securities and other strategic equity holdings in privately held companies. These securities are exposed to price fluctuations and are generally concentrated in the life sciences industry. The carrying values of our available-for-sale equity securities and privately held securities were $27 million at March 31, 2007.
We do not hedge our equity price risk. The impact of an adverse movement in equity prices on our holdings in privately held companies cannot be easily quantified, as our ability to realize returns on investments depends on, among other things, the enterprises’ ability to raise additional capital or derive cash inflows from continuing operations or through liquidity events such as initial public offerings, mergers or private sales.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2007 totaled $158 million compared to $150 million at December 31, 2006. Cash flows from operating activities in 2007 were $152 million, which together with cash flows from financing activities of $203 million, were used to fund investing activities of $346 million. Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2006 totaled $156 million, compared to $92 million at December 31, 2005. Cash flows from operating activities in 2006 were $241 million, which were used to fund investing and financing activities of $28 million and $148 million, respectively.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $152 million compared to $241 million in the prior year period. This decrease was primarily due to lower earnings in the current year and increased payments associated with variable compensation earned in the prior year. Days sales outstanding, a measure of billing and collection efficiency, were 47 days at March 31, 2007 compared to 48 days at December 31, 2006.
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Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $346 million, consisting principally of $307 million related to the acquisition of HemoCue and capital expenditures of $40 million.
Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $28 million, consisting of capital expenditures of $42 million, partially offset by $15.8 million in proceeds received in connection with the sale of an investment.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $203 million, consisting primarily of proceeds from borrowings of $450 million, used to finance the acquisition of HemoCue and to fund the repayment of HemoCue’s outstanding debt, and $22 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options, including related tax benefits, offset by repayments of debt totaling $128 million, purchases of treasury stock totaling $105 million and dividend payments of $19 million. The $128 million of debt repayment consists of $113 million to repay HemoCue’s outstanding debt and a repayment of $15 million on our term loan due 2008. The $105 million of treasury stock represents 2.1 million shares of our common stock purchased at an average price of $50.98 per share.
Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $148 million, consisting primarily of purchases of treasury stock totaling $104 million, repayment of $60 million of principal outstanding under our secured receivables credit facility and dividend payments of $18 million, partially offset by $52 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options, including related tax benefits. The $104 million in treasury stock purchases represents 2 million shares of our common stock purchased at an average price of $52.05 per share.
Dividend Program
During each of the quarters of 2006, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per common share. On February 13, 2007, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend per common share of $0.10, payable on April 18, 2007. We expect to fund future dividend payments with cash flows from operations, and do not expect the dividend to have a material impact on our ability to finance future growth.
Share Repurchase Plan
For the three months ended March 31, 2007, we repurchased 2.1 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $50.98 per share for $105 million. Through March 31, 2007, we have repurchased approximately 43.4 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $45.18 for $2 billion under our share repurchase program. At March 31, 2007, the total available for repurchases under the remaining authorizations was $145 million.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
A full description of the terms of our indebtedness and related debt service requirements and our future payments under certain of our contractual obligations is contained in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. A full discussion and analysis regarding our minimum rental commitments under noncancelable operating leases and noncancelable commitments to purchase products or services at December 31, 2006 is contained in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. See Note 1 to the interim consolidated financial statements for information regarding our contingent tax liability reserves. See Note 6 to the interim consolidated financial statements for information regarding the status of legal matters involving the Company.
Our credit agreements relating to our senior unsecured revolving credit facility, our term loan due December 2008 and our term loan due January 2008 contain various covenants and conditions, including the maintenance of certain financial ratios, that could impact our ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness. We do not expect these covenants to adversely impact our ability to execute our growth strategy or conduct normal business operations.
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
We have investments in unconsolidated joint ventures in Phoenix, Arizona; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Dayton, Ohio, which are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. We believe that our transactions with our joint ventures are conducted at arm’s length, reflecting current market conditions and pricing. Total net revenues of our unconsolidated joint ventures equal less than 6% of our consolidated net revenues. Total assets associated with our unconsolidated joint ventures
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are less than 2% of our consolidated total assets. We have no material unconditional obligations or guarantees to, or in support of, our unconsolidated joint ventures and their operations.
Acquisition of AmeriPath, Inc.
On April 16, 2007, we signed a definitive agreement to acquire AmeriPath, Inc., (“AmeriPath”), in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $2 billion, including approximately $770 million of debt at closing. AmeriPath is a leading provider of dermatopathology, anatomic pathology and esoteric testing with annualized revenues in excess of $800 million.
The transaction is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2007 and is subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, including regulatory clearance. The acquisition is expected to have minimal impact to the Company’s 2007 earnings per share and be modestly accretive to 2008 earnings per share, before anticipated charges related to the transaction. We intend to pay for the transaction, refinance AmeriPath's existing debt, and the debt from the HemoCue acquisition completed earlier this year with the proceeds of a new $1 billion one-year bridge loan and a new five-year $1.5 billion term loan, both committed to be underwritten by Morgan Stanley. The bridge loan is expected to be refinanced shortly after the closing. In addition, Morgan Stanley will underwrite a $750 million revolving credit facility which will replace the Company’s existing revolving credit facility. The acquisition will be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.
Requirements and Capital Resources
We estimate that we will invest approximately $200 million during 2007 for capital expenditures to support and expand our existing operations, principally related to investments in information technology, equipment, and facility upgrades.
As of March 31, 2007, $500 million of borrowing capacity was available under our existing credit facilities.
We believe that cash from operations and our borrowing capacity under our credit facilities will provide sufficient financial flexibility to meet seasonal working capital requirements and to fund capital expenditures, debt service requirements, cash dividends on common shares, share repurchases and additional growth opportunities for the foreseeable future. We believe that our credit profile should provide us with access to additional financing, if necessary, to fund growth opportunities that cannot be funded from existing sources.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements and disclosures in this document are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts and can be identified by the use of words such as “may”, “believe”, “will”, “expect”, “project”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “plan” or “continue”. These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could significantly cause our plans and expectations, including actual results, to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, or the Litigation Reform Act, provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their companies without fear of litigation.
We would like to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Litigation Reform Act in connection with the forward-looking statements included in this document. The risks and other factors that could cause our actual financial results to differ materially from those projected, forecasted or estimated by us in forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, unanticipated expenditures, changing relationships with customers, payers, suppliers and strategic partners, competitive environment, changes in government regulations, conditions of the economy and other factors described in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
See Item 2. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a) | Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective. |
|
(b) | During the first quarter of 2007, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. |
|
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
See Note 6 to the interim consolidated financial statements for information regarding the status of legal proceedings involving the Company.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
| | | | | (d) Approximate Dollar |
| | (a) Total | | (c) Total Number of | Value of Shares that May |
| | Number of | (b) Average | Shares Purchased as Part | Yet Be Purchased Under the |
| | Shares | Price Paid per | of Publicly Announced | Plans or Programs |
| Period | Purchased | Share | Plans or Programs | (in thousands) |
| January 1, 2007 – | | | | |
| January 31, 2007 | - | - | - | $249,699 |
| February 1, 2007 – | | | | |
| February 28, 2007 | 1,031,700 | $52.49 | 1,031,700 | $195,544 |
| March 1, 2007 - | | | | |
| March 31, 2007 | 1,027,887 | $49.47 | 1,027,887 | $144,699 |
| Total | 2,059,587 | $50.98 | 2,059,587 | $144,699 |
In 2003, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program, which permitted us to purchase up to $600 million of our common stock. In July 2004, our Board of Directors authorized us to purchase up to an additional $300 million of our common stock. Under a separate authorization from our Board of Directors, in December 2004 we repurchased 5.4 million shares of our common stock for approximately $254 million from GlaxoSmithKline plc. In January 2005, our Board of Directors expanded the share repurchase authorization by an additional $350 million. In January 2006, our Board of Directors expanded the share repurchase authorization by an additional $600 million.
Item 6. Exhibits
| Exhibits: | | |
| 31.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| | | |
| 31.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| | | |
| 32.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section |
| | | 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| | | |
| 32.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 |
| | | of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
April 27, 2007
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
By /s/ Surya N. Mohapatra
Surya N. Mohapatra, Ph.D.
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
By /s/ Robert A. Hagemann
Robert A. Hagemann
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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