Hologic to Acquire Gen-Probe

Creates Leading Diagnostics Franchise Focused on Women's Health

Transaction Delivers Attractive Economics with Strong Growth and Margin Profile; $0.20 Accretive to Hologic's Adjusted EPS in First Fiscal Year After Close

Companies to Host Conference Call at 8:15 AM ET Today

BEDFORD, Mass. and SAN DIEGO, April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hologic, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOLX) and Gen-Probe Incorporated (NASDAQ: GPRO) today announced that their Boards of Directors have unanimously approved a definitive agreement under which Hologic will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Gen-Probe for $82.75 per share in cash, or a total enterprise value of approximately $3.7 billion. The all-cash transaction is expected to be funded through available cash and additional financing of term loans and high yield securities. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of calendar 2012.

The transaction delivers a strong growth profile with attractive economics and is expected to be $0.20 accretive to Hologic's adjusted earnings per share in the first fiscal year after close and significantly more accretive thereafter. Hologic also expects the transaction to accelerate top and bottom line growth rates. The combined company expects to realize approximately $75 million in cost synergies within three years following the close of the transaction. In addition, the combined company expects to have strong free cash flows, which will be used primarily to reduce debt with the expectation to return to pre-transaction leverage levels within three years.

Gen-Probe is a leader in molecular diagnostics products and services, making it a highly complementary addition to Hologic's growing diagnostics portfolio. The combined company will have pro forma LTM revenues of approximately $2.4 billion, adjusted EBITDA of $822 million (excluding synergies) and offer a wide spectrum of health products globally. The transaction allows Hologic to combine Gen-Probe's superior automation platforms of TIGRIS and PANTHER and extensive menu of sexually transmitted disease (STD) tests, including the APTIMA line of Chlamydia/Gonorrhea (CT/NG), human papillomavirus (HPV) and Trichomonas products, with its strong global market presence and distribution – all targeting women's health.  In addition, Gen-Probe's PROCLEIX line of HIV, HCV, HBV, and West Nile Virus (WNV) blood screening products and strong partnership with Novartis provide an attractive market, with a global reach and significant growth opportunities for the combined company. The combined company expects to create additional value through significant cross-selling opportunities, utilizing the combined global sales force and complementary research and development (R&D) and operational capabilities.

Rob Cascella, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hologic, said, "Gen-Probe is an ideal partner and strategic fit to Hologic's existing diagnostics business and complements our focus on scaling and diversifying our diagnostics franchise. Gen-Probe is a unique player in molecular diagnostics, with best-in-class technology, including the differentiating automation capabilities of TIGRIS and PANTHER, a broad menu of tests, such as the recently approved APTIMA HPV and Trichomonas assays, and a leading blood screening business. This transaction establishes Hologic as a premier company in STD diagnostics and advances our core focus on women's health. With unique capabilities and an impressive new product pipeline, our combined company will be well positioned globally to capitalize on the fast-growing molecular diagnostics market with an established global infrastructure."

Mr. Cascella continued, "Through this compelling transaction, we will achieve critical mass in our core diagnostics business and meet the needs of our customers with a broader portfolio of diagnostics technology, automation and connectivity solutions. With the combination of our capabilities, Hologic will operate a diagnostics franchise with the growth potential similar to our breast health franchise."

Carl Hull, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gen-Probe, said, "This transaction provides compelling cash value for our shareholders and represents an outstanding opportunity for our business. Together, Gen-Probe and Hologic will be very well-positioned to pursue a complete range of diagnostic opportunities in women's health, with a stronger focus on the dynamic molecular diagnostics market. Specifically, we are excited about the opportunity to increase demand for our APTIMA women's health products based on Hologic's global commercial presence. Our employees will benefit as part of a larger diversified organization with the necessary scale and resources to be a leader in today's rapidly evolving global healthcare marketplace."

Strategic Benefits of the Combination

Financial Benefits of the Combination

Financing
The all-cash transaction is expected to be funded through available cash and additional financing of term loans and high yield securities. Hologic has secured fully committed financing from Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC.

Headquarters and Management
Following the close of the transaction, Gen-Probe will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hologic. Hologic will retain its headquarters in Bedford, Massachusetts, and the combined company will maintain a significant presence in San Diego, California.

Rob Cascella will continue as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hologic and Carl Hull, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gen-Probe, will oversee the company's combined diagnostics business.

Terms and Approvals
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of calendar 2012 and is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including approval of Gen-Probe's shareholders and expiration of the applicable waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and necessary foreign clearances.

Advisors
Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Perella Weinberg Partners are acting as financial advisors to Hologic and Brown Rudnick LLP and Jones Day are acting as legal advisors. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is acting as financial advisor to Gen-Probe and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Cooley LLP are acting as legal advisors.

Conference Call and Webcast
Hologic and Gen-Probe management will host a conference call at 8:15 a.m. (Eastern) to discuss today's announcement, Hologic's second fiscal quarter 2012 results and Gen-Probe's first quarter 2012 results. Interested participants may listen to the call by dialing 877-856-1962 (for callers within the U.S.) or 719-325-4863 (for international callers) and referencing code 4975261 approximately 15 minutes prior to the call. The webcast and accompanying slides can be accessed at www.hologic.com or www.gen-probe.com.

A replay of the call will be available through May 18, 2012 at 888-203-1112 (for callers within the U.S.) or 719-457-0820 (for international callers), access code 4975261, and at www.hologic.com or
www.gen-probe.com.

Supporting materials for the conference call, including a presentation, will be available on the Investor Relations sections of Hologic's and Gen-Probe's websites at http://investors.hologic.com and www.gen-probe.com, respectively.

About Hologic:
Hologic, Inc. is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics products, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women. Hologic's core business units are focused on breast health, diagnostics, GYN surgical, and skeletal health. Hologic provides a comprehensive suite of technologies with products for mammography and breast biopsy, breast magnetic resonance imaging, radiation treatment for early-stage breast cancer, cervical cancer screening, treatment for menorrhagia and uterine fibroids, osteoporosis assessment, preterm birth risk assessment, mini C-arm for extremity imaging and molecular diagnostic products including reagents for a variety of DNA and RNA analysis applications. For more information, visit www.hologic.com.

Hologic and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Hologic, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.

About Gen-Probe:
Gen-Probe Incorporated is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of rapid, accurate and cost-effective molecular diagnostic products and services that are used primarily to diagnose human diseases, screen donated human blood, and ensure transplant compatibility. Gen-Probe is headquartered in San Diego and employs approximately 1,400 people. For more information, go to http://www.gen-probe.com.

Gen-Probe, APTIMA, PANTHER and TIGRIS and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Gen-Probe Incorporated and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.  PROCLEIX is a trademark of Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics, Inc.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures:
Hologic, Inc. (the "Company") has presented the following non-GAAP financial measures in this press release: adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA of each of Hologic and Gen-Probe, and pro forma adjusted net income, adjusted EPS and adjusted EBITDA of the combined company.  The Company defines its non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted EPS to exclude the non-cash amortization of intangible assets, other acquisition-related charges, such changes for contingent consideration, transaction costs and charges associated with the write-up of acquired inventory to fair value, non-cash interest expense related to amortization of the debt discount for convertible debt securities, divestiture and restructuring charges, non-cash loss on exchange of convertible notes, and one-time, nonrecurring, unusual or unanticipated charges, expenses or gains. The Company's non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA excludes from its GAAP net income: (i) the items excluded in its calculation of non-GAAP adjusted net income; (ii) interest expense, net, not otherwise excluded in calculating its non-GAAP adjusted net income; (iii) provision for income taxes; and (iv) depreciation expense.

The reconciliations of these historical non-GAAP measures to the combined company's comparable GAAP financial measures for the periods presented, are set forth in the supplemental information attached to this press release. Future GAAP EPS may be affected by changes in ongoing assumptions and judgments relating to the combined company's acquired businesses, and may also be affected by nonrecurring, unusual or unanticipated charges, expenses or gains, all of which are excluded in the calculation of non-GAAP adjusted net income, adjusted EPS and adjusted EBITDA as described in this press release. It is therefore not practicable to reconcile this non-GAAP guidance to the most comparable GAAP measure. 

The Company believes the use of these non-GAAP metrics are useful to investors in comparing the results of operations for comparable periods by eliminating certain of the more significant effects of its acquisitions and related activities, non-cash charges resulting from changes in GAAP, and litigation settlement, divestiture and restructuring. These measures also reflect how the Company manages the business internally. In addition to the adjustments included in the calculation of the Company's non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA eliminates the effects of financing, income taxes and the accounting effects of capital spending. As with the items eliminated in its calculation of non-GAAP adjusted net income, these items may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to the overall operating performance of a company's business. When analyzing the Hologic's, Gen-Probe's and the pro forma combined company's operating performance, investors should not consider these non-GAAP financial measures as a substitute for net income prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Additional Information and Where to Find It: 
In connection with the proposed transaction, Gen-Probe will file a proxy statement and other materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). GEN-PROBE URGES INVESTORS TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND THESE OTHER MATERIALS CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GEN-PROBE AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.  Investors may obtain free copies of the proxy statement (when available) as well as other filed documents containing information about Gen-Probe at http://www.sec.gov, the SEC's free internet site.  Free copies of Gen-Probe's SEC filings including the proxy statement (when available) are also available on Gen-Probe's internet site at http://www.gen-probe.com under "Investors."

Gen-Probe and its executive officers and directors may be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Gen-Probe's stockholders with respect to the proposed transaction.  Information regarding the officers and directors of Gen-Probe is included in the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 5, 2012 with respect to the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Gen-Probe.  More detailed information regarding the identity of the potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction.

Forward Looking Statement Disclaimer:
This News Release contains forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties, including statements about Hologic's and Gen-Probe's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Such statements include, without limitation, statements about the timing of the completion of the transaction, the anticipated benefits thereof, including anticipated future financial and operating results of the combined companies, the expected permanent financing for the transaction, other of Hologic's and Gen-Probe's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, and other statements that are not historical facts.  Forward-looking statements may contain words such as "expect," "believe," "may," "can," "should," "will," "forecast," "anticipate," or similar expressions (including their use in the negative), and include assumptions that underlie such statements.   These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the ability of the parties to consummate the proposed merger in a timely manner or at all; satisfaction of the conditions precedent to consummation of the proposed merger, including the ability to secure regulatory approvals in a timely manner or at all, and approval by Gen-Probe's stockholders; the possibility of litigation (including related to the merger itself); successful completion of anticipated financing arrangements; Hologic's ability to successfully and timely integrate Gen-Probe's operations, product lines, technologies and employees, and realize synergies from the proposed transaction; unknown, underestimated or undisclosed commitments or liabilities; effects of purchase accounting that may be different from expectations; the level of demand for the combined company's products; the ability of the combined company to develop, deliver and support a broad range of products, develop new products, expand its markets and/or develop new markets; and the ability of the combined company to attract, motivate  and retain key employees.  Moreover, the combined business may be adversely affected by future legislative, regulatory, or tax changes as well as other economic, business and/or competitive factors. The risks included above are not exhaustive. Other factors that could adversely affect the combined company's business and prospects are described in the combined company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The companies expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements presented herein to reflect any change in the combined company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.