Quidel

The firm experienced a 30 percent jump in sales of immunoassays, attributed in part to a $6.2 million increase in influenza revenues year-over-year.

Flu test sales were the second-highest for a quarter in the firm's history but were still $17.4 million lower than the year-ago quarter due to a much less intense flu season.

The firm expects Q4 revenues to be in the $132 million to $133 million range, up 15 to 16 percent from a year ago and consistent with the consensus Wall Street estimate.

The firm saw 60 percent revenue growth in molecular diagnostics, including 88 percent growth in its Solana system.

Smaller multiplex molecular panels of five or fewer targets will be covered, while a determination of gastrointestinal panel coverage is expected soon.

The new agreement amends a deal reached in October to partially fund its acquisition of some Alere businesses. That agreement was for $270 million.

Sales were driven by the cardiac testing products acquired last year from Alere and offset a decline in rapid immunoassay sales tied to the flu season.

The test detects and distinguishes pertussis and parapertussis in nasopharyngeal swab samples. It is for use on the Quidel's Solana MDx instrument.