Norwegian cervical screening program begins reimbursing for liquid-based cytology

Hologic, Inc. (Hologic or the Company) (Nasdaq: HOLX), a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics products, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, today announced that on July 1, 2010, the Norwegian cervical screening program began reimbursing for liquid-based cytology (LBC).

Professor Torill Sauer of the Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital Ulleval, and a former member of a mass screening program advisory group commented that, "After rigorous evaluation, the decision has been taken to elevate conventional Pap test reimbursement so that LBC can be made accessible to all women participating in the Norwegian mass screening program. We now anticipate a quickly growing demand for LBC in Norway."

David Harding, Hologic Senior Vice President and General Manager, International, stated, "This reimbursement breakthrough has been anticipated for some time. With seven of seventeen Norwegian laboratories using ThinPrep technology and more than 100,000 ThinPrep Pap tests already purchased each year in Norway, Hologic is well positioned to expand its presence in the Norwegian market."

If detected in the pre-cancerous stage, most cervical cancer cases are preventable.  Through the Norwegian cervical screening program, women between the ages of 25 and 69 are invited for Pap screening for cervical abnormality every 3 years. This represents approximately half a million Pap tests processed annually.