RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES

5.  RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES

     During the first six months of 2011, the Company recorded net restructuring charges of $24.2. Of this amount, $13.3 related to severance and other personnel costs, and $13.8 primarily related to facility-related costs associated with the ongoing integration of the Genzyme Genetics* and Westcliff acquisitions. These charges were offset by restructuring credits of $2.9 resulting from the reversal of unused severance and facility closure liabilities. In addition, the Company recorded fixed assets impairment charges of $7.2 primarily related to equipment and leasehold improvements in closed facilities. The Company also recorded a special charge of $14.8 related to a write-off of certain assets and liabilities related to an investment made in a prior year.

     During the first quarter of 2010, the Company recorded net restructuring charges of $3.1 related to severance payments and the closing of redundant and underutilized facilities. Of this amount, $3.9 related to severance and other employee costs for employees primarily in the affected facilities, and $0.6 related to contractual obligations associated with leased facilities and other facility related costs. The Company also reduced its prior facility related restructuring accruals by $1.4 as a result of incurring less cost than planned on those restructuring initiatives primarily due to favorable settlements on lease buyouts. In addition, the Company recorded a special charge of $6.2 related to the write-off of development costs incurred on systems abandoned during the quarter.

* Genzyme Genetics and its logo are trademarks of Genzyme Corporation and used by Esoterix Genetic Laboratories, LLC (“EGL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, under license. EGL and the Company are operated independently from Genzyme Corporation.