IDEXX Expands Catalyst into Cardiac Care with Dual-Species Point-of-Care NT-proBNP

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDXX), a global leader in pet healthcare innovation, today announced the launch of the Catalyst™ proBNP Test. The landmark diagnostic solution is the first and only dual-species, point-of-care test designed to quantify N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in both feline and canine patients during a single clinic visit.

Running on IDEXX’s Catalyst diagnostic platform—which boasts a global installed base of nearly 80,000 analyzers—the Catalyst proBNP Test brings laboratory-grade quantitative cardiac assessment directly into routine, real-time veterinary workflows.

Addressing an Underdiagnosed Health Crisis in Companion Animals

Heart disease is a major cause of morbidity in small animal practice, affecting approximately 1 in 6 cats and 1 in 10 dogs. Despite its high prevalence, early-stage feline and canine cardiac conditions frequently go undetected during physical examinations because clinical signs can remain hidden until heart failure or secondary complications occur.

By providing quantitative NT-proBNP screening directly inside the clinic, IDEXX enables practitioners to establish baseline cardiac health, differentiate cardiac from respiratory causes of dyspnea, and identify asymptomatic patients who require diagnostic echocardiography or chest radiography.

Workflow Integration & Platform Synergy

The Catalyst proBNP Test integrates directly into existing diagnostic routines on Catalyst One® and Catalyst Dx® analyzers. It can be processed as a standalone diagnostic run or run simultaneously alongside routine blood chemistry panels, electrolytes, and SDMA testing from a single sample.

Clinical Significance & Industry Impact

1. Early Occult Disease Detection: Quantifies cardiac muscle stretch and strain before overt clinical symptoms present, allowing for earlier therapeutic intervention and baseline monitoring.

2. Rapid Symptomatic Triage: Helps emergency and primary care clinicians rapidly distinguish between respiratory disease (such as feline asthma) and congestive heart failure in acute presentation.

3. Seamless Connected Care: Diagnostic results automatically sync with the IDEXX VetConnect PLUS software ecosystem, allowing clinicians to track longitudinal NT-proBNP trends over time.