Edgar Filing: ABAXIS INC

Unassociated Document

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2007

o Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File Number 000-19720

ABAXIS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California	77-0213001
(State of Incorporation)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3240 Whipple Road

Union City, California 94587

(Address of principal executive offices)

(510) 675-6500

(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer x Non-accelerated filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o No x

As of February 6, 2008, there were 21,674,000 shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding.

ABAXIS, INC.

Form 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended December 31, 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited):
	Condensed Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2007 and 2006	3
	Condensed Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007	4
	Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2007 and 2006	5
	Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements	6
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	14
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	29
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	29
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	30
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	30
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	39
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	39
Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders	40
Item 5.	Other Information	40
Item 6.	Exhibits	40

SIGNATURES		41

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)

ABAXIS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	December 31,				December 31,
	2007		2006		2007		2006

Revenues	$	25,690,000	$	22,018,000	$	73,813,000	$	63,413,000
Cost of revenues		12,081,000		10,439,000		33,331,000		28,839,000
Gross profit		13,609,000		11,579,000		40,482,000		34,574,000

Operating expenses:
Research and development		1,629,000		1,495,000		5,104,000		4,731,000
Sales and marketing		6,056,000		5,302,000		17,666,000		15,306,000
General and administrative		1,571,000		1,262,000		4,760,000		4,232,000
Total operating expenses		9,256,000		8,059,000		27,530,000		24,269,000

Income from operations		4,353,000		3,520,000		12,952,000		10,305,000
Interest and other income (expense), net		552,000		491,000		1,580,000		1,194,000
Income before income taxes		4,905,000		4,011,000		14,532,000		11,499,000
Income tax provision		1,700,000		1,235,000		5,341,000		4,208,000
Net income	$	3,205,000	$	2,776,000	$	9,191,000	$	7,291,000

Net income per share:
Basic net income per share	$	0.15	$	0.13	$	0.43	$	0.35
Diluted net income per share	$	0.14	$	0.13	$	0.41	$	0.33

Shares used in the calculation of net income per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic		21,561,000		20,766,000		21,441,000		20,547,000
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted		22,359,000		21,939,000		22,208,000		21,871,000

Share-based compensation expense by function:
Cost of revenues	$	33,000	$	26,000	$	88,000	$	52,000
Research and development		39,000		32,000		110,000		90,000
Sales and marketing		91,000		75,000		259,000		228,000
General and administrative		122,000		85,000		374,000		235,000
Total share-based compensation expense	$	285,000	$	218,000	$	831,000	$	605,000

See accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements.

ABAXIS, INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

	December 31,			March 31,
	2007			2007

ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,792,000		$	10,183,000
Short-term investments		43,966,000			35,028,000
Trade receivables (net of allowances of $204,000 at December 31, 2007 and $542,000 at March 31, 2007)		20,862,000			16,929,000
Inventories, net		18,020,000			14,813,000
Prepaid expenses		677,000			1,321,000
Net deferred tax asset - current		4,133,000			8,979,000
Total current assets		99,450,000			87,253,000
Property and equipment, net		13,982,000			12,662,000
Intangible assets, net		394,000			450,000
Other assets		19,000			38,000
Net deferred tax asset - non-current		2,469,000			2,312,000
Total assets	$	116,314,000		$	102,715,000

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	7,047,000		$	6,505,000
Accrued payroll and related expenses		3,587,000			3,830,000
Other accrued liabilities		1,422,000			1,169,000
Deferred revenue		780,000			917,000
Warranty reserve		1,157,000			315,000
Total current liabilities		13,993,000			12,736,000

Non-current liabilities:
Deferred rent		320,000			391,000
Deferred revenue		1,210,000			1,244,000
Warranty reserve		496,000			532,000
Total non-current liabilities		2,026,000			2,167,000

Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, no par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding		-			-
Common stock, no par value; 35,000,000 shares authorized; 21,624,000 and 21,207,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2007 and at March 31, 2007, respectively		106,574,000			103,282,000
Accumulated deficit		(6,279,000	)		(15,470,000	)
Total shareholders' equity		100,295,000			87,812,000
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	116,314,000		$	102,715,000

See accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements.

ABAXIS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended
	December 31,
	2007			2006
Operating activities:
Net income	$	9,191,000		$	7,291,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		2,563,000			1,931,000
Loss on disposal of property and equipment		2,000			31,000
Share-based compensation expense		831,000			605,000
Excess tax benefits from share-based awards		(270,000	)		-
Common stock issued for employee benefit plans		-			66,000
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables, net		(3,933,000	)		(903,000	)
Inventories, net		(4,501,000	)		(3,638,000	)
Prepaid expenses		914,000			(1,132,000	)
Other assets		19,000			31,000
Net deferred tax assets		4,689,000			3,895,000
Accounts payable		542,000			2,359,000
Accrued payroll and related expenses		(243,000	)		(724,000	)
Other accrued liabilities		253,000			577,000
Deferred rent		(71,000	)		(63,000	)
Deferred revenue		(171,000	)		69,000
Warranty reserve		806,000			84,000
Other long-term liabilities		-			68,000
Net cash provided by operating activities		10,621,000			10,547,000

Investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale investments		(20,575,000	)		(60,183,000	)
Purchases of held-to-maturity investments		(21,167,000	)		-
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale investments		-			53,532,000
Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity investments		32,804,000			-
Purchases of property and equipment		(2,522,000	)		(2,355,000	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(11,460,000	)		(9,006,000	)

Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under stock plans, net		2,178,000			3,212,000
Proceeds from exercises of warrants		-			86,000
Excess tax benefits from share-based awards		270,000			-
Net cash provided by financing activities		2,448,000			3,298,000

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		1,609,000			4,839,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		10,183,000			10,164,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	11,792,000		$	15,003,000

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	4,000		$	4,000
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	$	340,000		$	450,000

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash information:
Change in unrealized gains on short-term investments, net of tax	$	-		$	47,000
Transfers of equipment between inventory and property and equipment	$	1,307,000		$	1,496,000

See accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements.

ABAXIS, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of Business. Abaxis, Inc. (the “Company”), incorporated in California in 1989, develops, manufactures, markets and sells portable blood analysis systems for use in the human or veterinary patient-care setting to provide clinicians with rapid blood constituent measurements.

Basis of Presentation. The unaudited condensed financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The unaudited condensed financial statements included herein reflect all normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to state fairly the results of operations and financial position for the periods presented. The results for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year ending March 31, 2008 or for any future period.

These unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.

Reclassifications. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods’ financial statements to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no material impact on previously reported results of operations or financial position.

Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Such management estimates include allowance for doubtful accounts, sales and other allowances, inventory reserves, income taxes, valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets, share-based compensation and warranty reserves. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

NOTE 2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

FIN 48

Effective April 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109 and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. As a result of implementing FIN 48, the Company did not change the amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to tax positions taken in prior periods. The Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits as of April 1, 2007, the date of adoption, or as of December 31, 2007. Upon adoption of FIN 48, the Company’s policy to include interest and penalties related to gross unrecognized tax benefits within its provision for income taxes did not change. For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007, the Company did not recognize any interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. The Company files income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and various states. The Company is not under examination for any of these jurisdictions.

SFAS No. 157

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”), which clarifies the definition of fair value, establishes guidelines for measuring fair value and expands financial statement disclosures regarding fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 will be effective for the Company on April 1, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 157 on its financial position, cash flows and results of operations.

SFAS No. 159

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value (the “fair value option”). Unrealized gains and losses on instruments for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting period. SFAS No. 159 will be effective for the Company on April 1, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 159 on its financial position, cash flows and results of operations.

NOTE 3. SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

As of December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007, investments were classified as short-term investments. The contractual maturities for certificate of deposits, corporate debt securities and municipal bonds were less than one year. Auction rate securities with maturities beyond one year were classified as short-term investments, based on their highly liquid nature and due to the frequency with which the interest rate is reset.

Short-term investments classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value at the balance sheet date. Auction rate securities are recorded at amortized cost, which approximates fair market value due to their variable interest rates. Short-term investments classified as held-to-maturity are reported at amortized cost at the balance sheet date because the Company has both the intent and ability to hold the investments until they mature.

The amortized cost, unrealized gains and market value of short-term investments were as follows:

	December 31, 2007						March 31, 2007
	Amortized		Unrealized		Market		Amortized		Unrealized		Market
	Cost		Gains		Value		Cost		Gains		Value
Available-for-sale:
Auction rate securities	$	36,975,000	$	-	$	36,975,000	$	16,400,000	$	-	$	16,400,000
Total available-for-sale		36,975,000		-		36,975,000		16,400,000		-		16,400,000
Held-to-maturity:
Corporate debt securities		-		-		-		18,628,000		-		18,628,000
Certificate of deposits		2,974,000		-		2,974,000		-		-		-
Municipal bonds		4,017,000		-		4,017,000		-		-		-
Total held-to-maturity		6,991,000		-		6,991,000		18,628,000		-		18,628,000
Total short-term investments	$	43,966,000	$	-	$	43,966,000	$	35,028,000	$	-	$	35,028,000

NOTE 4. INVENTORIES, NET

Inventories, net, include material, labor and overhead, and are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. Components of inventories, net, were as follows:

	December 31,		March 31,
	2007		2007
Raw materials	$	8,337,000	$	7,974,000
Work-in-process		4,454,000		3,203,000
Finished goods		5,229,000		3,636,000
Inventories, net	$	18,020,000	$	14,813,000

NOTE 5. WARRANTY RESERVES

The Company provides for the estimated future costs to be incurred under the Company’s standard warranty obligation on its instruments. Starting on July 1, 2007, the Company provides for the estimated future costs to be incurred under the Company’s warranty obligation on its reagent discs as part of warranty reserves. Prior to July 1, 2007, the Company maintained a provision for defective reagent discs as part of sales allowances.

Instruments. Since the beginning of fiscal 2006, the Company’s standard warranty obligation on instruments is two years. The estimated contractual warranty obligation is recorded when the related revenue is recognized and any additional amount is recorded when such cost is probable and can be reasonably estimated. The estimated accrual for warranty exposure is based on historical experience, estimated product failure rates, material usage, freight incurred in repairing the instrument after failure and known design changes.

Reagent Discs. Beginning on July 1, 2007, the Company recorded a provision for defective reagent discs when the related sale is recognized and any additional amount is recorded when such cost is probable and can be reasonably estimated. The warranty cost includes the replacement costs and freight of a defective reagent disc. Prior to July 1, 2007, the Company recorded a provision for defective reagent discs as part of sales allowances since the Company primarily issued a credit to customers for defective reagent discs. Starting on July 1, 2007, the provision for defective reagent discs is recorded as part of warranty reserves, since the Company replaces defective reagent discs rather than issue a credit to customers. To date, the change has not had a material impact on the Company’s financial statements and the Company believes the change will not have a material impact on the financial statements in the future.

The Company evaluates its estimates for warranty reserves on an ongoing basis and believes it has the ability to reasonably estimate warranty costs. However, unforeseeable changes in factors may impact the estimate for warranty and such changes could cause a material change in the Company’s warranty reserve accrual in the period in which the change was identified.

The changes in the Company’s accrued warranty reserve during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007 includes a provision for warranty costs and replacement costs for reagent discs. The change in the Company’s accrued warranty reserve during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, was as follows:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	December 31,						December 31,
	2007			2006			2007			2006
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,294,000		$	578,000		$	847,000		$	472,000
Provision for warranty expense		625,000			102,000			1,499,000			299,000
Warranty costs incurred		(266,000	)		(52,000	)		(693,000	)		(143,000	)
Balance at end of period		1,653,000			628,000			1,653,000			628,000
Non-current portion of warranty reserve		496,000			331,000			496,000			331,000
Current portion of warranty reserve	$	1,157,000		$	297,000		$	1,157,000		$	297,000

NOTE 6. LINE OF CREDIT

The Company has a line of credit with Comerica Bank-California which provides for borrowings of up to $2,000,000. The line of credit terminates upon notification by either party and any outstanding balance is payable upon demand. The line of credit bears interest at the bank’s prime rate minus 0.25%, which totaled 7.00% at December 31, 2007, and is payable monthly. Of the $2,000,000 available, $410,000 was committed to secure a letter of credit for the Company’s facilities lease at December 31, 2007. At December 31, 2007, there was no amount outstanding under the Company’s line of credit. The weighted average interest rates on the line of credit during the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 were 7.27% and 8.00%, respectively.

The line of credit agreement contains certain financial covenants, which are evaluated on a quarterly basis. At December 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with each of these covenants. Included in these financial covenants, among other stipulations, are the following requirements:

The Company must have a minimum net income of $25,000 before preferred stock dividends and accretion on preferred stock in any three quarters of a fiscal year, provided that any loss before preferred stock dividends and accretion on preferred stock incurred in the remaining quarter is not to exceed $250,000.

The Company is required to be profitable, as defined, on a fiscal year to date basis beginning with the six month period ended September 30, 2007 and to have net income before preferred stock dividends and accretion on preferred stock of at least $1,150,000 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008.

·	The Company is required to comply with certain financial covenants as follows:

Financial Covenants	Requirements
Quick ratio, as defined	Not less than 2.00 to 1.00
Cash flow coverage, as defined	Not less than 1.25 to 1.00
Debt to net worth ratio, as defined	Not greater than 1.00 to 1.00
Tangible effective net worth, as defined	Not less than $25,731,000

Borrowings under the line of credit are collateralized by the Company’s net book value of assets of $100.3 million at December 31, 2007, including its intellectual property.

NOTE 7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Purchase Commitments. In November 2003, the Company entered into an original equipment manufacturing (“OEM”) agreement with Diatron Messtechnik GmbH (“Diatron”) of Austria to purchase Diatron hematology instruments. The Diatron hematology instruments are currently supplied by Diatron MI Kft. Under the terms of the OEM agreement, the Company became committed to purchase a minimum number of hematology instruments through fiscal 2009 from Diatron once the product was qualified for sale, which occurred in May 2004. In September 2006, the terms of the OEM agreement were revised with respect to the purchase commitments. Under the amended OEM agreement, the Company committed to purchase a minimum number of hematology instruments during fiscal 2008. During the three months ended December 31, 2007, the Company completed all of its purchase commitment requirements with Diatron under the revised OEM agreement. Accordingly, there is no outstanding purchase commitment to Diatron at December 31, 2007.

Litigation. The Company is involved from time to time in various litigation matters in the normal course of business. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations.

NOTE 8. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

On April 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123(R)”) using the modified prospective method. SFAS No. 123(R) requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including stock options and restricted stock units based on their fair values, in the Company’s results of operations. The share-based compensation expense includes expense for unvested awards at March 31, 2006 and all awards granted subsequent to March 31, 2006. Share-based compensation expense for the unvested awards outstanding at March 31, 2006 is based on the grant-date fair value as used in calculating the pro forma disclosures in prior period financial statements in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.”

Prior to April 1, 2006, the Company accounted for share-based awards to employees and directors using the intrinsic value method supplemented by pro forma disclosures in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and other related guidance and, therefore, no employee compensation cost had been recognized for share-based awards in financial statements prior to April 1, 2006 because the Company issued stock options with an exercise price equal to the market value at the date of grant.

Non-cash compensation expense recognized for share-based awards during the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $285,000 and $218,000, respectively, and during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $831,000 and $605,000, respectively. Capitalized share-based compensation cost at December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $26,000 and $14,000, respectively, which was included in inventory on the Company’s balance sheet.

Prior to adopting SFAS No. 123(R), the Company presented all tax benefits resulting from exercises of stock options as cash flows from operating activities in its Statements of Cash Flows. SFAS No. 123(R) requires cash flows resulting from excess tax benefits to be classified as a part of cash flows from financing activities. Excess tax benefits are realized tax benefits from tax deductions for exercised stock options and vested restricted stock units in excess of the deferred tax asset attributable to share-based compensation expense for such share-based awards. Excess tax benefits classified as a financing cash inflow for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 were $132,000 and $0, respectively, and for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 were $270,000 and $0, respectively.

Equity Compensation Plans

The Company’s share-based compensation plans are described below.

2005 Equity Incentive Plan. The Company’s 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”) restated and amended the Company’s 1998 Stock Option Plan. The Equity Incentive Plan allows for the awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, deferred compensation awards or other share-based awards to employees, directors and consultants. The Equity Incentive Plan provides for the issuance of a maximum of 4,886,000 shares, of which 446,000 shares of common stock were available for future issuance as of December 31, 2007.

Options granted to employees and directors generally expire ten years from the grant date. Options granted to employees generally become exercisable over a period of four years based on cliff-vesting terms and continuous employment. Options granted to non-employee directors generally become exercisable over a period of one year based on monthly vesting terms and continuous service. See the “Stock Options” section in this Note 8 for additional information.

Restricted stock units awarded to employees generally vest over a period of four years and the awards may also be subject to accelerated vesting upon achieving certain performance-based milestones and continuous employment during the vesting period. Restricted stock units awarded to non-employee directors generally vest in full one year after the grant date based on continuous service. See the “Restricted Stock Units” section in this Note 8 for additional information.

1992 Outside Directors’ Stock Option Plan. Under the Company’s 1992 Outside Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the “Directors Plan”), options to purchase shares of common stock were automatically granted, annually, to non-employee directors. Options under the Directors Plan were nonqualified stock options and were granted at the fair market value on the date of grant and expired ten years from the date of grant. Options granted to non-employee directors generally become exercisable over a period of one year based on monthly vesting terms and continuous service. The Directors Plan provided for the issuance of a maximum of 250,000 shares. As of December 31, 2007, all outstanding options under the Directors Plan were fully vested and fully exercisable and no shares of common stock were available for future issuance because the time period for granting options expired in accordance with the terms of the Directors Plan in June 2002.

The Company’s current practice is to issue new shares of common stock from its authorized shares for share-based awards.

Stock Options

Prior to April 1, 2006, the Company granted stock options to employees, with an exercise price equal to the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and with cliff-vesting terms over four years, conditional on continuous employment with the Company. In addition, prior to April 1, 2006, the Company granted stock options to non-employee directors with an exercise price equal to the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and became exercisable over a period of one year based on monthly vesting terms, conditional on continuous service to the Company.

The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options granted prior to March 31, 2006. The fair value of each stock option granted was estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, based on a multiple option valuation approach, and forfeitures were recognized as they occurred. There were no stock options granted during fiscal 2007 or during the first nine months of fiscal 2008. As of December 31, 2007, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options granted amounted to $67,000, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.54 years.

The following table summarizes information regarding options outstanding and options exercisable at December 31, 2007 and the changes during the nine-month period then ended:

				Weighted		Weighted
				Average		Average
				Exercise		Remaining		Aggregate
	Number of			Price		Contractual		Intrinsic
	Shares			Per Share		Life (Years)		Value
Outstanding at March 31, 2007		1,577,000		$	7.82
Granted		-			-
Exercised		(401,000	)		5.70
Canceled or forfeited		(50,000	)		20.71
Outstanding at December 31, 2007		1,126,000		$	8.00		4.05	$	31,360,000
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2007		1,124,000		$	8.00		4.04	$	31,307,000
Exercisable at December 31, 2007		1,102,000		$	7.92		3.99	$	30,801,000

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the pre-tax intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing stock price as of December 31, 2007, that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their stock options as of that date. Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, was $4,257,000 and $1,190,000, respectively, and during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, was $8,282,000 and $9,415,000, respectively. Cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options during the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 were $663,000 and $352,000, respectively, and during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 were $2,288,000 and $3,212,000, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units

The Company grants restricted stock unit awards to employees and directors as part of its share-based compensation program which began in fiscal 2007. The restricted stock unit awards entitle holders to receive shares of common stock at the end of a specified period of time. Vesting for restricted stock unit awards is based on continuous employment or service of the holder. Upon vesting, the equivalent number of common shares are typically issued net of tax withholdings. If the vesting conditions are not met, unvested restricted stock unit awards will be forfeited. Generally, the restricted stock unit awards vest according to one of the following time-based vesting schedules:

Restricted stock unit awards to employees: Four year time-based vesting as follows: five percent vesting after the first year; additional 10 percent after the second year; additional 15 percent after the third year; and the remaining 70 percent after the fourth year of continuous employment with the Company.

·	Restricted stock unit awards to non-employee directors: 100 percent vesting after one year of continuous service to the Company.

Certain restricted stock unit awards to employees may also be subject to accelerated vesting upon achieving certain performance-based milestones. Additionally, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”), in its discretion, may provide in the event of a change in control for the acceleration of vesting and/or settlement of the restricted stock unit held by a participant upon such conditions and to such extent as determined by the Compensation Committee. The Board has adopted an executive change in control severance plan, which it may terminate or amend at any time, that provides that awards granted to executive officers will accelerate fully on a change of control. The vesting of non-employee director awards granted under the Equity Incentive Plan automatically will accelerate in full upon a change in control.

The fair value of restricted stock unit awards used in the Company’s expense recognition method is measured based on the number of shares granted and the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Such value is recognized as an expense over the corresponding requisite service period. The Company’s policy is to recognize the expense based on the vested portions of the awards. The share-based compensation expense is reduced for an estimate of the restricted stock unit awards that are expected to be forfeited. The forfeiture estimate is based on historical data and other factors, and compensation expense is adjusted for actual results. As of December 31, 2007, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock unit awards granted amounted to $9,306,000, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.83 years.

The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity for the nine months ended December 31, 2007:

				Weighted
				Average
	Number of			Grant Date
	Shares			Fair Value (1)
Unvested at March 31, 2007		295,000		$	24.66
Granted		263,000			21.61
Vested		(22,000	)		25.06
Forfeited		(46,000	)		23.11
Unvested at December 31, 2007		490,000		$	23.16

(1) The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock units is based on the number of shares granted and the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

NOTE 9. NET INCOME PER SHARE

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares that would have been outstanding during the period assuming the issuance of common shares for all potential dilutive common shares outstanding using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares outstanding include outstanding stock options, restricted stock units and warrants.

The following is a reconciliation of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in calculating basic and diluted net income per share:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	December 31,				December 31,
	2007		2006		2007		2006
Numerator:
Net income	$	3,205,000	$	2,776,000	$	9,191,000	$	7,291,000

Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic		21,561,000		20,766,000		21,441,000		20,547,000

Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		707,000		1,057,000		720,000		1,192,000
Restricted stock units		91,000		4,000		43,000		2,000
Warrants		-		112,000		4,000		130,000
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted		22,359,000		21,939,000		22,208,000		21,871,000

Net income per share:
Basic net income per share	$	0.15	$	0.13	$	0.43	$	0.35
Diluted net income per share	$	0.14	$	0.13	$	0.41	$	0.33

The Company excluded the following stock options and warrants from the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding because the exercise price of the stock options and warrants was greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock during the period and, therefore, the inclusion of these stock options and warrants would be antidilutive to net income per share:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	December 31,				December 31,
	2007		2006		2007		2006
Weighted average number of shares underlying antidilutive stock options and warrants		-		223,000		-		222,000
Weighted average exercise price per share underlying antidilutive stock options and warrants	$	-	$	21.65	$	-	$	21.66

The Company excluded the following restricted stock units from the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding because the inclusion of these awards would be antidilutive to net income per share:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

December 31,

2007

2006

2007

2006

Weighted average number of shares underlying antidilutive restricted stock units

294,000

4,000

195,000

NOTE 10. INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was 35% and 31%, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate for both nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was 37%. The increase in the effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006, was primarily due to the retroactive extension of the federal research and development tax credit in the three months ended December 31, 2006, which temporarily expired during the first six months of September 30, 2006, partially offset by a change in the Company’s investment portfolio, resulting in a tax benefit in the three months ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE 11. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The following is a summary of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006:

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	December 31,					December 31,
	2007		2006			2007		2006
Net income	$	3,205,000	$	2,776,000		$	9,191,000	$	7,291,000
Other comprehensive income:
Change in unrealized gains on short-term investments, net of tax		-		(13,000	)		-		47,000
Comprehensive income	$	3,205,000	$	2,763,000		$	9,191,000	$	7,338,000

NOTE 12. SEGMENT REPORTING INFORMATION

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

The Company develops, manufactures, markets and sells portable blood analysis systems for use in the human or veterinary patient-care setting to provide clinicians with rapid blood constituent measurements. The Company identifies its reportable segments as those customer groups that represent more than 10% of the combined revenue or gross profit or loss of all reported operating segments. The Company manages its business on the basis of the following two reportable segments: (i) the medical market and (ii) the veterinary market, which are based on the products sold by market and customer group. Each reportable segment has similar manufacturing processes, technology and shared infrastructures. The accounting policies for segment reporting are the same as for the Company as a whole.

Medical Market

In the medical market reportable segment, the Company serves a worldwide customer group consisting of military installations (ships, field hospitals and mobile care units), physicians office practices across all specialties, urgent care and walk-in clinics (free-standing or hospital-connected), home care providers (national, regional or local), nursing homes, ambulance companies, oncology treatment clinics, hospital labs and draw stations. The products manufactured and sold in this segment primarily consist of Piccolo chemistry analyzers and medical reagent discs.

Veterinary Market

In the veterinary market reportable segment, the Company serves a worldwide customer group consisting of companion animal hospitals, animal clinics with mixed practices of small animals, birds and reptiles, equine and bovine practitioners, veterinary emergency clinics, veterinary referral hospitals, universities, government, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies and private research laboratories. The products manufactured and sold in this segment primarily consist of VetScan chemistry analyzers, hematology analyzers, veterinary reagent discs and hematology reagent kits.

The segment information for prior periods has been restated to conform to the current presentation of reportable segments for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. The table below summarizes revenues, cost of revenues and gross profit from the two operating segments.

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	December 31,				December 31,
	2007		2006		2007		2006
Revenues:
Medical Market	$	6,005,000	$	4,656,000	$	16,455,000	$	12,506,000
Veterinary Market		18,073,000		16,312,000		52,498,000		47,013,000
Unallocated amounts		1,612,000		1,050,000		4,860,000		3,894,000
Total revenues		25,690,000		22,018,000		73,813,000		63,413,000

Cost of revenues:
Medical Market		2,946,000		2,280,000		8,194,000		6,088,000
Veterinary Market		8,677,000		7,643,000		23,525,000		21,330,000
Unallocated amounts		458,000		516,000		1,612,000		1,421,000
Total cost of revenues		12,081,000		10,439,000		33,331,000		28,839,000

Gross profit:
Medical Market		3,059,000		2,376,000		8,261,000		6,418,000
Veterinary Market		9,396,000		8,669,000		28,973,000		25,683,000
Unallocated amounts		1,154,000		534,000		3,248,000		2,473,000
Gross profit	$	13,609,000	$	11,579,000	$	40,482,000	$	34,574,000

NOTE 13. REVENUES BY PRODUCT CATEGORY AND GEOGRAPHIC REGION AND SIGNIFICANT CONCENTRATIONS

Revenue Information

The following is a summary of revenues for each group of products and services provided by the Company:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	December 31,				December 31,
Revenues by Product Category	2007		2006		2007		2006
Instruments	$	8,393,000	$	8,369,000	$	22,319,000	$	21,667,000
Reagent discs and kits		15,305,000		12,239,000		45,244,000		36,629,000
Other products		1,462,000		964,000		4,797,000		3,728,000
Product sales, net		25,160,000		21,572,000		72,360,000		62,024,000
Development and licensing revenues		530,000		446,000		1,453,000		1,389,000
Total revenues	$	25,690,000	$	22,018,000	$	73,813,000	$	63,413,000

The following is a summary of revenues by geographic region based on customer location:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	December 31,				December 31,
Revenues by Geographic Region	2007		2006		2007		2006
North America	$	21,628,000	$	18,221,000	$	61,868,000	$	52,652,000
Europe		3,397,000		2,781,000		9,629,000		7,543,000
Asia Pacific and rest of the world		665,000		1,016,000		2,316,000		3,218,000
Total revenues	$	25,690,000	$	22,018,000	$	73,813,000	$	63,413,000

Significant Concentrations

Revenues from significant customers as a percentage of total revenues were as follows:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

Geographical

December 31,

Distributor

Location

2007

2006

2007

2006

Walco International, Inc., d/b/a DVM Resources

United States

At December 31, 2007, one distributor in the United States accounted for 16% of the Company’s trade receivables. At December 31, 2006, two distributors in the United States accounted for 14% and 10%, respectively, of the Company’s trade receivables.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations includes a number of forward-looking statements, which reflect Abaxis’ current views with respect to future events and financial performance. In this report, the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “future,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed below, in Part II, Item 1A of this report and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the market acceptance of our products and the continuing development of our products, required United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) clearance and other government approvals, risks associated with manufacturing and distributing our products on a commercial scale, free of defects, risks related to the introduction of new instruments manufactured by third parties, risks associated with entering the human diagnostic market on a larger scale, risks related to the protection of Abaxis’ intellectual property or claims of infringement of intellectual property asserted by third parties, risks involved in carrying of inventory, risks associated with the ability to attract, train and retain competent sales personnel, general market conditions and competition. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Abaxis assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as circumstances change.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Abaxis, Inc. (“Abaxis,” “us” or “we”) was incorporated in California in 1989. Our principal offices are located at 3240 Whipple Road, Union City, California 94587. Our telephone number is (510) 675-6500 and our Internet address is www.abaxis.com. We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “ABAX.”

We develop, manufacture, market and sell portable blood analysis systems for use in the human or veterinary patient-care setting to provide clinicians with rapid blood constituent measurements. Our primary product is a blood analysis system, consisting of a compact portable analyzer and a series of single-use plastic discs, called reagent discs, containing all the chemicals required to perform a panel of up to 14 tests on human patients and 13 tests on veterinary patients. We manufacture the system in our manufacturing facilities in Union City, California and we market our blood chemistry analyzers in both the medical market and in the veterinary market, as described below.

Medical Market: We currently market the blood analysis system in the medical market under the name Piccolo xpress^™. Through October 2006, we marketed the blood analysis system in the medical market as the Piccolo^®, now referred to as the Piccolo Classic. We continue to support and service our current population of Piccolo xpress and Piccolo Classic chemistry analyzers.

Veterinary Market: We currently market the blood analysis system in the veterinary market under the name VetScan VS2^®. Through March 2006, we marketed the blood analysis system in the veterinary market as the VetScan^®, now referred to as the VetScan Classic. We continue to support and service our current population of VetScan VS2 and VetScan Classic chemistry analyzers.

In September 2007, we introduced a veterinary hematology instrument under the name VetScan HM5. The VetScan HM5 offers a 22-parameter complete blood count (CBC) analysis, including a five-part cell counter specifically designed for veterinary applications. In May 2004, we introduced a veterinary hematology instrument that offers an 18-parameter CBC analysis, including a three-part white blood cell differential, marketed originally as the VetScan HMII, and is now referred to as the VetScan HM2^™. We currently purchase the hematology instruments from Diatron MI Kft. of Budapest, Hungary. Through April 2004, we marketed a veterinary hematology instrument under the name VetScan HMT. We continue to support and service our current population of VetScan HM5, VetScan HM2, VetScan HMII and VetScan HMT hematology instruments.

Our sales for any future periods are not predictable with a significant degree of certainty, and may depend on a number of factors outside of our control, including inventory or timing considerations by our distributors. We generally operate with a limited order backlog because our products are typically shipped shortly after orders are received. As a result, product sales in any quarter are generally dependent on orders booked and shipped in that quarter. Our expense levels, which are to a large extent fixed, are based in part on our expectations of future revenues. Accordingly, we may be unable to adjust spending in a timely manner to compensate for any unexpected revenue shortfall. As a result, any such shortfall would negatively affect our operating results and financial condition. In addition, our sales may be adversely impacted by pricing pressure from competitors. Our ability to be consistently profitable will depend, in part, on our ability to increase the sales volumes of our Piccolo and VetScan products and to successfully compete with other competitors. We believe that period to period comparisons of our results of operations are not necessarily meaningful indicators of future results.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and the sensitivity of these estimates to deviations in the assumptions used in making them. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. However, there can be no assurance that our actual results will not differ from these estimates.

We have identified the policies below as critical because they are not only important to understanding our financial condition and results of operations, but also because application and interpretation of these policies requires both judgment and estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain and unknown. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from our estimates. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations are discussed below. A more detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue. Our primary customers are distributors and direct customers in both the medical and veterinary markets. Revenues from product sales, net of estimated sales allowances and rebates, are recognized when (i) evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) upon shipment of the products to the customer, (iii) the sales price is fixed or determinable and (iv) collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Rights of return are not provided.

We recognize revenue associated with extended maintenance agreements ratably over the life of the contract. Amounts collected in advance of revenue recognition are recorded as a current or non-current liability based on the time from the balance sheet date to the future date of revenue recognition.

We provide incentives in the form of free goods or extended maintenance agreements to customers in connection with the sale of our instruments. Revenue from such sales is allocated separately to the instruments and incentives based on the relative fair value of each element. Revenue allocated to incentives is deferred until the goods are shipped to the customer or is recognized ratably over the life of the maintenance contract.

We periodically offer trade-in programs to customers for trading in an existing instrument to purchase a new instrument and we will either provide incentives in the form of free goods or reduce the sales price of the instrument. These incentives in the form of free goods are recorded according to the policies described above.

Distributor and Customer Rebates. We offer distributor pricing rebates and customer incentives from time to time. The distributor pricing rebates are offered to distributors upon meeting the sales volume requirements during a qualifying period. The distributor pricing rebates are recorded as a reduction to gross revenue during the qualifying period. Cash rebates are offered to customers who purchase specific instruments during a promotional period. The cash rebate is recorded as a reduction to gross revenue.

Sales and Other Allowances. We estimate a provision for defective reagent discs as part of sales allowances when we issue credits to customers for defective reagent discs. We also establish, upon shipment of our products to distributors, a provision for potentially defective reagent discs, based on historical experience. The provision for potentially defective reagent discs was recorded in sales allowances, using internal data available to estimate the level of inventory in the distribution channel, the lag time for customers to report defective reagent discs and the historical experience of defective reagent discs. Starting on July 1, 2007, the provision for potentially defective reagent discs is now recorded as part of warranty reserves, instead of sales allowances, since we replace defective reagent discs rather than issue a credit to customers. Changes in our estimates for accruals related to provisions for defective reagent discs have not been material to our financial position or results of operations. In the future, the actual defective reagent discs may exceed our estimates, which could adversely affect our financial results.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts based on our assessment of the collectibility of the amounts owed to us by our customers. In determining the amount of the allowance, we make judgments about the creditworthiness of customers which is mostly determined by the customer’s payment history and the outstanding period of accounts. We specifically identify amounts that we believe to be uncollectible and the allowance for doubtful accounts is adjusted accordingly. An additional allowance is recorded based on certain percentages of our aged receivables, using historical experience to estimate the potential uncollectible and our assessment of the general financial condition of our customer base. If our actual collections experience changes, revisions to our allowances may be required, which could adversely affect our operating income.

Warranty Reserves. We provide for the estimated future costs to be incurred under our standard warranty obligation on our instruments. Since the beginning of fiscal 2006, our standard warranty obligation on instruments is two years. The estimated contractual warranty obligation is recorded when the related revenue is recognized and any additional amount is recorded when such cost is probable and can be reasonably estimated. While we engage in product quality programs and processes, including monitoring and evaluating the quality of our suppliers, our estimated accrual for warranty exposure is based on historical experience, estimated product failure rates, material usage and freight incurred in repairing the instrument after failure and known design changes.

A provision for defective reagent discs is recorded when related sales are recognized and any additional amounts are recorded when such costs are probable and can be reasonably estimated, at which time they are included in cost of revenues. Prior to July 1, 2007, we primarily issued a credit to customers for defective reagent discs and, therefore, the provision for estimated costs for defective reagent discs, which includes the replacement costs and freight of a defective reagent disc, was recorded as part of sales and other allowances. Starting on July 1, 2007, the provision for defective reagent discs is now recorded as part of warranty reserves, since we replace defective reagent discs rather than issue a credit to customers.

We analyze the adequacy of the ending accrual balance of warranty reserves each quarter. The determination of warranty reserves requires us to make estimates of the expected costs to repair or replace the instruments and to replace defective reagent discs under warranty. If actual repair or replacement costs of instruments or replacement costs of reagent discs differ significantly from our estimates, adjustments to cost of revenues may be required.

Inventories. We state inventories at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined using standard costs which approximates the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Inventories include material, labor and overhead. We establish provisions for excess, obsolete and unusable inventories after evaluation of future demand and market conditions. If future demand or actual market conditions are less favorable than those estimated by management or if a significant amount of the material were to become unusable, additional inventory write-downs may be required, which would have a negative effect on our operating income.

Long-Lived Assets. The carrying value of our long-lived assets is reviewed for impairment, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We look to current and future profitability, as well as current and future undiscounted cash flows, excluding financing costs, as primary indicators of recoverability. An impairment loss would be recognized when the sum of the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposal is less than the carrying amount. If impairment is determined to exist, any related impairment loss is calculated based on fair value.

Income Taxes. We account for income taxes under the provisions of SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“SFAS No. 109”). Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts to be recovered.

Effective April 1, 2007, we adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109 and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. As a result of implementing FIN 48, we did not change the amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to tax positions taken in prior periods. We did not have any unrecognized tax benefits as of April 1, 2007, the date of adoption, or as of December 31, 2007. Upon adoption of FIN 48, our policy to include interest and penalties related to gross unrecognized tax benefits within our provision for income taxes did not change. For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007, we did not recognize any interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. We file income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and various states. We are not under examination for any of these jurisdictions.

Share-Based Compensation Expense. On April 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123(R)”) using the modified prospective method and therefore have not restated prior periods’ results. Under the fair value provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), we recognize share-based compensation expense, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, for those shares expected to vest over the requisite service period of the award to employees and directors. Prior to April 1, 2006, we accounted for share-based awards to employees and directors using the intrinsic value method in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and other related guidance and, therefore, no employee compensation cost had been recognized for share-based awards in financial statements prior to fiscal 2007 because we issued stock options with an exercise price equal to the market value at the date of grant.

We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options granted prior to March 31, 2006. Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of share-based awards requires highly subjective assumptions, as described below.

·	Risk-free interest rate: The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option.

·	Expected stock price volatility: We estimate the volatility of our common stock at the date of grant based on the historical volatility of our common stock over a term of one year.

·	Expected term: We estimate the expected term of stock options granted based on historical exercise patterns, which we believe are representative of future behavior.

·	Expected dividends: We have not paid cash dividends on our common stock and we do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future; consequently, we use an expected dividend yield of zero.

For restricted stock units, the assumptions to calculate compensation expense is based on the fair value of the Company’s stock at the grant date. As a result, if factors change and we use different assumptions, our share-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future.

As required by SFAS No. 123(R), employee share-based compensation expense recognized is calculated based on the awards expected to vest and reduced for estimated forfeitures. The forfeiture rate is estimated based on historical data of our share-based awards that are granted, exercised and cancelled and upon historical experience of employee turnover, and compensation expense is adjusted for actual results. Changes in estimated forfeiture rates and differences between estimated forfeiture rates and actual experience may result in significant, unanticipated increases or decreases in share-based compensation expense from period to period. To the extent we revise our estimate of the forfeiture rate in the future, our share-based compensation expense could be materially impacted in the quarter of revision, as well as in following quarters.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Abaxis develops, manufactures, markets and sells portable blood analysis systems for use in the human or veterinary patient-care setting to provide clinicians with rapid blood constituent measurements. We operate in two segments: (i) the medical market and (ii) the veterinary market. See “Segment Results” in this section for a detailed discussion.

Total Revenues

Revenues by Geographic Region and by Product Category. Revenues by geographic region based on customer location and revenues by product category during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
	December 31,						Change						December 31,						Change
							Increase/			Percent									Increase/			Percent
Revenues by Geographic Region	2007			2006			(Decrease)			Change			2007			2006			(Decrease)			Change
North America	$	21,628,000		$	18,221,000		$	3,407,000			19	%	$	61,868,000		$	52,652,000		$	9,216,000			18	%
Percentage of total revenues		84	%		83	%								84	%		83	%
Europe		3,397,000			2,781,000			616,000			22	%		9,629,000			7,543,000			2,086,000			28	%
Percentage of total revenues		13	%		13	%								13	%		12	%
Asia Pacific and rest of the world		665,000			1,016,000			(351,000	)		(35	%)		2,316,000			3,218,000			(902,000	)		(28	%)
Percentage of total revenues		3	%		4	%								3	%		5	%
Total revenues	$	25,690,000		$	22,018,000		$	3,672,000			17	%	$	73,813,000		$	63,413,000		$	10,400,000			16	%

	Three Months Ended											Nine Months Ended
	December 31,						Change					December 31,						Change
							Increase/		Percent									Increase/		Percent
Revenues by Product Category	2007			2006			(Decrease)		Change			2007			2006			(Decrease)		Change
Instruments	$	8,393,000		$	8,369,000		$	24,000		-		$	22,319,000		$	21,667,000		$	652,000		3	%
Percentage of total revenues		33	%		38	%							30	%		34	%
Reagent discs and kits		15,305,000			12,239,000			3,066,000		25	%		45,244,000			36,629,000			8,615,000		24	%
Percentage of total revenues		59	%		56	%							61	%		58	%
Other products		1,462,000			964,000			498,000		52	%		4,797,000			3,728,000			1,069,000		29	%
Percentage of total revenues		6	%		4	%							7	%		6	%
Product sales, net		25,160,000			21,572,000			3,588,000		17	%		72,360,000			62,024,000			10,336,000		17	%
Percentage of total revenues		98	%		98	%							98	%		98	%
Development and licensing revenues		530,000			446,000			84,000		19	%		1,453,000			1,389,000			64,000		5	%
Percentage of total revenues		2	%		2	%							2	%		2	%
Total revenues	$	25,690,000		$	22,018,000		$	3,672,000		17	%	$	73,813,000		$	63,413,000		$	10,400,000		16	%

Three Months Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2006

North America. During the three months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues in North America increased 19%, or $3,407,000, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. Components of the change in North America were as follows:

Instruments. During the three months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from instruments sold in North America increased 3%, or $176,000, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. The primary factors of the change were as follows:

(i) Sales of our Piccolo chemistry analyzers in North America (excluding the U.S. government) increased 35%, or $529,000, primarily due to increased sales to distributors. Sales of our Piccolo chemistry analyzers to the U.S. government increased 76%, or $137,000.

(ii) Sales of our VetScan chemistry analyzers in North America decreased 39%, or $1,209,000, primarily due to a shift in our sales and marketing focus from an instrument only emphasis to a focus on both instrument and reagent discs as a result of the manufacturing issues that we experienced in previous quarters. Sales of our hematology instruments in North America increased 41%, or $719,000, primarily due to the release of our VetScan HM5 in September 2007.

Reagent discs and kits. During the three months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from reagent discs and kits sold in North America increased 26%, or $2,638,000, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. The primary factors of the change were as follows:

(i) Medical reagent discs sales in North America (excluding the U.S. government) increased 17%, or $298,000, primarily due to the expanded installed base of our Piccolo chemistry analyzers. Medical reagent discs sold to the U.S. government decreased 13%, or $81,000.

(ii) Veterinary reagent discs sales in North America increased 32%, or $2,255,000, primarily due to the expanded installed base of our VetScan chemistry analyzers. Sales of hematology reagent kits in North America increased 21%, or $166,000.

Other products. During the three months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from other products sold in North America increased 54%, or $509,000, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. The net increase in other products was primarily due to an increase in demand from Becton, Dickinson and Company for products using the Orbos Discrete Lyophilization Process, which is based on seasonal demands.

Development and licensing. During the three months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from development and licensing in North America increased 19%, or $84,000, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006.

Significant concentration. One distributor in the United States, DVM Resources, accounted for 12% and 13% of total worldwide revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Europe. During the three months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues in Europe increased 22%, or $616,000, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. Components of the change in Europe were as follows:

Instruments. During the three months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from instruments sold in Europe increased 7%, or $81,000, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. The primary factors of the change were as follows:

(i) Sales of our Piccolo chemistry analyzers in Europe increased 144%, or $312,000, primarily due to increased sales to distributors.

(ii) Sales of our VetScan chemistry analyzers in Europe decreased 34%, or $318,000, primarily due to decreased sales to distributors. Sales of our hematology instruments in Europe increased 97%, or $87,000.

Reagent discs and kits. During the three months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from reagent discs and kits sold in Europe increased 35%, or $533,000, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. The primary factors of the change were as follows:

(i) Medical reagent discs sales in Europe increased 43%, or $94,000.

(ii) Veterinary reagent discs sales in Europe increased 36%, or $448,000, primarily due to the expanded installed base of our VetScan chemistry analyzers. Sales of hematology reagent kits in Europe decreased 16%, or $9,000.

Other products. During the three months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from other products sold in Europe increased 33%, or $2,000, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006.

Asia Pacific and rest of the world. During the three months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues in Asia Pacific and rest of the world decreased 35%, or $351,000, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. Components of the change in Asia Pacific and rest of the world were as follows:

Instruments. During the three months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from instruments sold in Asia Pacific and rest of the world decreased 41%, or $233,000, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. The primary factors of the change were as follows:

(i) Sales of our Piccolo chemistry analyzers in Asia Pacific and rest of the world increased 200%, or $30,000.

(ii) Sales of our VetScan chemistry analyzers in Asia Pacific and rest of the world decreased 81%, or $382,000, primarily in Japan due to the termination of a distribution arrangement during the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Sales of our hematology instruments in Asia Pacific and rest of the world increased 147%, or $119,000.

Reagent discs and kits. During the three months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from reagent discs and kits sold in Asia Pacific and rest of the world decreased 24%, or $105,000, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. The primary factors of the change were as follows:

(i) Medical reagent discs sales in Asia Pacific and rest of the world increased 19%, or $3,000.

(ii) Veterinary reagent discs sales in Asia Pacific and rest of the world decreased 22%, or $80,000. Sales of hematology reagent kits in Asia Pacific and rest of the world decreased 51%, or $28,000.

Other products. During the three months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from other products sold in Asia Pacific and rest of the world decreased 87%, or $13,000, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006.

Nine Months Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Nine Months Ended December 31, 2006

North America. During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues in North America increased 18%, or $9,216,000, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. Components of the change in North America were as follows:

Instruments. During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from instruments sold in North America increased 4%, or $773,000, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. The primary factors of the change were as follows:

(i) Sales of our Piccolo chemistry analyzers in North America (excluding the U.S. government) increased 32%, or $1,280,000, primarily due to increased sales to distributors. Sales of our Piccolo chemistry analyzers to the U.S. government decreased 3%, or $22,000.

(ii) Sales of our VetScan chemistry analyzers in North America decreased 28%, or $2,041,000, primarily due to a shift in our sales and marketing focus from an instrument only emphasis to a focus on both instrument and reagent discs as a result of the manufacturing issues that we experienced in previous quarters. Sales of our hematology instruments in North America increased 30%, or $1,556,000, primarily due to the release of our VetScan HM5 in September 2007.

Reagent discs and kits. During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from reagent discs and kits sold in North America increased 24%, or $7,331,000, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. The primary factors of the change were as follows:

(i) Medical reagent discs sales in North America (excluding the U.S. government) increased 36%, or $1,571,000, primarily due to the expanded installed base of our Piccolo chemistry analyzers. Medical reagent discs sold to the U.S. government decreased 6%, or $107,000.

(ii) Veterinary reagent discs sales in North America increased 26%, or $5,688,000, primarily due to the expanded installed base of our VetScan chemistry analyzers. Sales of hematology reagent kits in North America increased 8%, or $179,000.

Other products. During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from other products sold in North America increased 29%, or $1,048,000, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. The net increase in other products was primarily due to an increase in demand from Becton, Dickinson and Company for products using the Orbos Discrete Lyophilization Process, which is based on seasonal demands.

Development and licensing. During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from development and licensing in North America increased 5%, or $64,000, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006.

Significant concentration. One distributor in the United States, DVM Resources, accounted for 13% and 15% of total worldwide revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Europe. During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues in Europe increased 28%, or $2,086,000, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. Components of the change in Europe were as follows:

Instruments. During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from instruments sold in Europe increased 26%, or $721,000, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. The primary factors of the change were as follows:

(i) Sales of our Piccolo chemistry analyzers in Europe increased 152%, or $652,000, primarily due to increased sales to distributors.

(ii) Sales of our VetScan chemistry analyzers in Europe increased 1%, or $5,000. Sales of our hematology instruments in Europe increased 21%, or $64,000.

Reagent discs and kits. During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from reagent discs and kits sold in Europe increased 28%, or $1,329,000, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. The primary factors of the change were as follows:

(i) Medical reagent discs sales in Europe increased 45%, or $262,000, primarily due to the expanded installed base of our Piccolo chemistry analyzers.

(ii) Veterinary reagent discs sales in Europe increased 26%, or $1,072,000, primarily due to the expanded installed base of our VetScan chemistry analyzers. Sales of hematology reagent kits in Europe decreased 3%, or $5,000.

Other products. During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from other products sold in Europe increased 116%, or $36,000, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006.

Asia Pacific and rest of the world. During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues in Asia Pacific and rest of the world decreased 28%, or $902,000, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. Components of the change in Asia Pacific and rest of the world were as follows:

Instruments. During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from instruments sold in Asia Pacific and rest of the world decreased 49%, or $842,000, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. The primary factors of the change were as follows:

(i) Sales of our Piccolo chemistry analyzers in Asia Pacific and rest of the world increased 500%, or $100,000.

(ii) Sales of our VetScan chemistry analyzers in Asia Pacific and rest of the world decreased 69%, or $791,000. Sales of our hematology instruments in Asia Pacific and rest of the world decreased 27%, or $151,000. The decrease in veterinary instruments was primarily in Japan due to the termination of a distribution arrangement during the first quarter of fiscal 2008.

Reagent discs and kits. During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from reagent discs and kits sold in Asia Pacific and rest of the world decreased 3%, or $45,000, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. The primary factors of the change were as follows:

(i) Medical reagent discs sales in Asia Pacific and rest of the world increased 77%, or $49,000.

(ii) Veterinary reagent discs sales in Asia Pacific and rest of the world decreased 2%, or $31,000. Sales of hematology reagent kits in Asia Pacific and rest of the world decreased 41%, or $63,000.

Other products. During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues from other products sold in Asia Pacific and rest of the world decreased 54%, or $15,000, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006.

Segment Results

Three Months Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2006

The following table presents revenues, cost of revenues, gross profit and percentage of revenues by operating segments for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006:

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,												Change
				Percent of						Percent of			Increase/			Percent
	2007			Revenues (1)			2006			Revenues (1)			(Decrease)			Change
Revenues:
Medical Market	$	6,005,000			100	%	$	4,656,000			100	%	$	1,349,000			29	%
Percentage of total revenues		23	%					21	%
Veterinary Market		18,073,000			100	%		16,312,000			100	%		1,761,000			11	%
Percentage of total revenues		70	%					74	%
Unallocated amounts		1,612,000						1,050,000						562,000			54	%
Percentage of total revenues		7	%					5	%
Total revenues		25,690,000						22,018,000						3,672,000			17	%
Cost of revenues:
Medical Market		2,946,000			49	%		2,280,000			49	%		666,000			29	%
Veterinary Market		8,677,000			48	%		7,643,000			47	%		1,034,000			14	%
Unallocated amounts		458,000						516,000						(58,000	)		(11	%)
Total cost of revenues		12,081,000						10,439,000						1,642,000			16	%
Gross profit:
Medical Market		3,059,000			51	%		2,376,000			51	%		683,000			29	%
Veterinary Market		9,396,000			52	%		8,669,000			53	%		727,000			8	%
Unallocated amounts		1,154,000						534,000						620,000			116	%
Gross profit	$	13,609,000					$	11,579,000					$	2,030,000			18	%

(1) The percentage reported is based on revenues by operating segment.

Medical Market

Revenues for Medical Market Segment

During the three months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues in the medical market increased 29%, or $1,349,000, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. Components of the change were as follows:

Instruments. Total revenues from our Piccolo chemistry analyzers increased 52%, or $1,008,000, during the three months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. We sold a total of 238 Piccolo chemistry analyzers during the three months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to 164 Piccolo chemistry analyzers sold during the three months ended December 31, 2006. The changes in revenues were attributed to (a) an increase in revenues in North America (excluding the U.S. government) of 35%, or $529,000, primarily due to increased sales to distributors; (b) an increase in Piccolo chemistry analyzers sold to the U.S. government of 76%, or $137,000; (c) an increase in revenues in Europe of 144%, or $312,000, primarily due to increased sales to distributors; and (d) an increase in revenues in Asia Pacific and rest of the world of 200%, or $30,000.

Reagent discs. Total revenues from reagent discs sold in the medical market increased 12%, or $314,000, during the three months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. We sold 316,000 medical reagent discs during the three months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to 284,000 medical reagent discs sold during the three months ended December 31, 2006. The total increase in revenues from medical reagent discs was primarily attributed to the expanded installed base of our Piccolo chemistry analyzers and was comprised of (a) an increase in revenues in North America (excluding the U.S. government) of 17%, or $298,000; (b) an increase in revenues in Europe of 43%, or $94,000; and (c) an increase in revenues in Asia Pacific and rest of the world of 19%, or $3,000. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in medical reagent discs sold to the U.S. government of 13%, or $81,000.

Gross Profit for Medical Market Segment

Gross profit for the medical market segment increased 29%, or $683,000, during the three months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. Gross profit percentage for the medical market segment during each of the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was 51%. In absolute dollars, the increase in gross profit for the medical market segment was due to (a) an increase in Piccolo chemistry analyzers and medical reagent discs sold during the three months ended December 31, 2007 and (b) higher average selling prices of Piccolo chemistry analyzers and medical reagent discs during the three months ended December 31, 2007.

Veterinary Market

Revenues for Veterinary Market Segment

During the three months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues in the veterinary market increased 11%, or $1,761,000, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. Components of the change were as follows:

Instruments. We sold a total of 642 VetScan chemistry analyzers and hematology instruments during the three months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to 748 veterinary instruments sold during the three months ended December 31, 2006. The primary factors of the change were as follows:

(i) Sales of our VetScan chemistry analyzers decreased 42%, or $1,909,000, comprised of (a) a decrease in revenues in North America of 39%, or $1,209,000, primarily due to a shift in our sales and marketing focus from an instrument only emphasis to a focus on both instrument and reagent discs as a result of the manufacturing issues that we experienced in previous quarters; (b) a decrease in revenues in Europe of 34%, or $318,000, primarily due to decreased sales to distributors; and (c) a decrease in revenues in Asia Pacific and rest of the world of 81%, or $382,000, primarily in Japan due to the termination of a distribution arrangement during the first quarter of fiscal 2008.

(ii) Sales of our hematology instruments increased 48%, or $925,000, comprised of (a) an increase in revenues in North America of 41%, or $719,000; (b) an increase in revenues in Europe of 97%, or $87,000; and (c) an increase in revenues in Asia Pacific and rest of the world of 147%, or $119,000. The increase in revenues from our hematology instruments is primarily due to the release of the VetScan HM5 in September 2007.

Reagent discs and kits. Total revenues from reagent discs and hematology reagent kits sold in the veterinary market increased 29%, or $2,752,000, during the three months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. The primary factors of the change were as follows:

(i) Total revenues from reagent discs sold in the veterinary market increased 30%, or $2,623,000, during the three months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. We sold 896,000 veterinary reagent discs during the three months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to 721,000 veterinary reagent discs sold during the three months ended December 31, 2006. The increase in revenues from veterinary reagent discs was primarily attributed to the expanded installed base of our VetScan chemistry analyzers and was comprised of (a) an increase in revenues in North America of 32%, or $2,255,000 and (b) an increase in revenues in Europe of 36%, or $448,000. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in revenues in Asia Pacific and rest of the world of 22%, or $80,000.

(ii) Total revenues from hematology reagent kits sold in the veterinary market increased 14%, or $129,000, during the three months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. The increase in revenues from hematology reagent kits was attributed to (a) an increase in revenues in North America of 21%, or $166,000, partially offset by (b) a decrease in revenues in Europe of 16%, or $9,000 and (c) a decrease in revenues in Asia Pacific and rest of the world of 51%, or $28,000.

Gross Profit for Veterinary Market Segment

Gross profit for the veterinary market segment increased 8%, or $727,000, during the three months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. Gross profit percentages for the veterinary market segment during the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 were 52% and 53%, respectively. In absolute dollars, the increase in gross profit for the veterinary market segment was due to an increase in veterinary reagent discs sold during the three months ended December 31, 2007.

Nine Months Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Nine Months Ended December 31, 2006

The following table presents revenues, cost of revenues, gross profit and percentage of revenues by operating segments for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006:

	Nine Months Ended
	December 31,												Change
				Percent of						Percent of			Increase/		Percent
	2007			Revenues (1)			2006			Revenues (1)			(Decrease)		Change
Revenues:
Medical Market	$	16,455,000			100	%	$	12,506,000			100	%	$	3,949,000		32	%
Percentage of total revenues		22	%					20	%
Veterinary Market		52,498,000			100	%		47,013,000			100	%		5,485,000		12	%
Percentage of total revenues		71	%					74	%
Unallocated amounts		4,860,000						3,894,000						966,000		25	%
Percentage of total revenues		7	%					6	%
Total revenues		73,813,000						63,413,000						10,400,000		16	%
Cost of revenues:
Medical Market		8,194,000			50	%		6,088,000			49	%		2,106,000		35	%
Veterinary Market		23,525,000			45	%		21,330,000			45	%		2,195,000		10	%
Unallocated amounts		1,612,000						1,421,000						191,000		13	%
Total cost of revenues		33,331,000						28,839,000						4,492,000		16	%
Gross profit:
Medical Market		8,261,000			50	%		6,418,000			51	%		1,843,000		29	%
Veterinary Market		28,973,000			55	%		25,683,000			55	%		3,290,000		13	%
Unallocated amounts		3,248,000						2,473,000						775,000		31	%
Gross profit	$	40,482,000					$	34,574,000					$	5,908,000		17	%

(1) The percentage reported is based on revenues by operating segment.

Medical Market

Revenues for Medical Market Segment

During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues in the medical market increased 32%, or $3,949,000, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. Components of the change were as follows:

Instruments. Total revenues from our Piccolo chemistry analyzers increased 39%, or $2,010,000, during the nine months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. We sold a total of 593 Piccolo chemistry analyzers during the nine months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to 461 Piccolo chemistry analyzers sold during the nine months ended December 31, 2006. The changes in revenues were attributed to (a) an increase in revenues in North America (excluding the U.S. government) of 32%, or $1,280,000, primarily due to increased sales to distributors; (b) an increase in revenues in Europe of 152%, or $652,000, primarily due to increased sales to distributors; and (c) an increase in revenues in Asia Pacific and rest of the world of 500%, or $100,000. The increase in revenues was partially offset by a decrease in Piccolo chemistry analyzers sold to the U.S. government of 3%, or $22,000.

Reagent discs. Total revenues from reagent discs sold in the medical market increased 26%, or $1,775,000, during the nine months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. We sold 928,000 medical reagent discs during the nine months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to 741,000 medical reagent discs sold during the nine months ended December 31, 2006. The total increase in revenues from medical reagent discs was primarily attributed to the expanded installed base of our Piccolo chemistry analyzers and was comprised of (a) an increase in revenues in North America (excluding the U.S. government) of 36%, or $1,571,000; (b) an increase in revenues in Europe of 45%, or $262,000; and (c) an increase in revenues in Asia Pacific and rest of the world of 77%, or $49,000. The increase in revenues was partially offset by a decrease in medical reagent discs sold to the U.S. government of 6%, or $107,000.

Gross Profit for Medical Market Segment

Gross profit for the medical market segment increased 29%, or $1,843,000, during the nine months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. Gross profit percentages for the medical market segment during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 were 50% and 51%, respectively. In absolute dollars, the increase in gross profit for the medical market segment was due to (a) an increase in Piccolo chemistry analyzers and medical reagent discs sold during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and (b) higher average selling prices of Piccolo chemistry analyzers and medical reagent discs during the nine months ended December 31, 2007.

Veterinary Market

Revenues for Veterinary Market Segment

During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, total revenues in the veterinary market increased 12%, or $5,485,000, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. Components of the change were as follows:

Instruments. We sold a total of 1,735 VetScan chemistry analyzers and hematology instruments during the nine months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to 1,896 veterinary instruments sold during the nine months ended December 31, 2006. The primary factors of the change were as follows:

(i) Sales of our VetScan chemistry analyzers decreased 27%, or $2,827,000, comprised of (a) a decrease in revenues in North America of 28%, or $2,041,000, primarily due to a shift in our sales and marketing focus from an instrument only emphasis to a focus on both instrument and reagent discs as a result of the manufacturing issues that we experienced in previous quarters and (b) a decrease in revenues in Asia Pacific and rest of the world of 69%, or $791,000, primarily in Japan due to the termination of a distribution arrangement during the first quarter of fiscal 2008. The decrease in revenues was partially offset by an increase in revenues in Europe of 1%, or $5,000.

(ii) Sales of our hematology instruments increased 24%, or $1,469,000, comprised of (a) an increase in revenues in North America of 30%, or $1,556,000, primarily due to the release of the VetScan HM5 in September 2007 and (b) an increase in revenues in Europe of 21%, or $64,000. The increase in revenues was partially offset by a decrease in revenues in Asia Pacific and rest of the world of 27%, or $151,000, primarily in Japan due to the termination of a distribution arrangement during the first quarter of fiscal 2008.

Reagent discs and kits. Total revenues from reagent discs and hematology reagent kits sold in the veterinary market increased 23%, or $6,840,000, during the nine months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. The primary factors of the change were as follows:

(i) Total revenues from reagent discs sold in the veterinary market increased 25%, or $6,729,000, during the nine months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. We sold 2,666,000 veterinary reagent discs during the nine months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to 2,228,000 veterinary reagent discs sold during the nine months ended December 31, 2006. The increase in revenues from veterinary reagent discs was primarily attributed to the expanded installed base of our VetScan chemistry analyzers and was comprised of (a) an increase in revenues in North America of 26%, or $5,688,000 and (b) an increase in revenues in Europe of 26%, or $1,072,000. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in revenues in Asia Pacific and rest of the world of 2%, or $31,000.

(ii) Total revenues from hematology reagent kits sold in the veterinary market increased 4%, or $111,000, during the nine months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. The increase in revenues from hematology reagent kits was attributed to (a) an increase in revenues in North America of 8%, or $179,000, partially offset by (b) a decrease in revenues in Europe of 3%, or $5,000 and (c) a decrease in revenues in Asia Pacific and rest of the world of 41%, or $63,000.

Gross Profit for Veterinary Market Segment

Gross profit for the veterinary market segment increased 13%, or $3,290,000, during the nine months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2006. Gross profit percentage for the veterinary market segment during each of the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was 55%. In absolute dollars, the increase in gross profit for the veterinary market segment was due to (a) an increase in veterinary reagent discs sold during the nine months ended December 31, 2007, partially offset by (b) a decrease in VetScan chemistry analyzers sold during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and (c) higher manufacturing costs on the VetScan VS2 chemistry analyzers during the nine months ended December 31, 2007.

Cost of Revenues

The following sets forth, for the periods indicated, our cost of revenues:

	Three Months Ended											Nine Months Ended
	December 31,						Change					December 31,						Change
							Increase/		Percent									Increase/		Percent
	2007			2006			(Decrease)		Change			2007			2006			(Decrease)		Change
Cost of revenues	$	12,081,000		$	10,439,000		$	1,642,000		16	%	$	33,331,000		$	28,839,000		$	4,492,000		16	%
Percentage of total revenues		47	%		47	%							45	%		45	%

Cost of revenues includes the costs associated with manufacturing, assembly, packaging, warranty repairs, test and quality assurance for our instruments, reagent discs and hematology reagent kits and manufacturing overhead, including costs of personnel and equipment associated with manufacturing support.

Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2006

The increase in cost of revenues, in absolute dollars, during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the three and nine months ended December 31, 2006, was primarily due to (a) an increase in the sales volume of medical and veterinary reagent discs and (b) an increase in costs associated with manufacturing the VetScan VS2 and Piccolo xpress chemistry analyzers.

Operating Expenses

Research and Development

The following sets forth, for the periods indicated, our research and development expenses:

	Three Months Ended											Nine Months Ended
	December 31,						Change					December 31,						Change
							Increase/		Percent									Increase/		Percent
	2007			2006			(Decrease)		Change			2007			2006			(Decrease)		Change
Research and development expenses	$	1,629,000		$	1,495,000		$	134,000		9	%	$	5,104,000		$	4,731,000		$	373,000		8	%
Percentage of total revenues		6	%		7	%							7	%		7	%

Research and development expenses consist of personnel costs (including salaries, benefits and share-based compensation expense), consulting expenses and materials and related expenses associated with the development of new tests and test methods, product improvements and enhancement of existing products and clinical trials.

Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2006

The increase in research and development expenses, in absolute dollars, during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the three and nine months ended December 31, 2006, was primarily due to new product development and enhancement of existing products and clinical trials. Research and development expenses are based on the project activities planned and the level of spending depend on budgeted expenditures. The projects primarily relate to new product development in both the medical and veterinary markets and costs related to compliance with FDA regulations and clinical trials. Share-based compensation expense during the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, was $39,000 and $32,000, respectively, and during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, was $110,000 and $90,000, respectively.

We anticipate the dollar amount of research and development expenses to increase in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007 but remain consistent as a percentage of total revenues, as we complete new products for both the medical and veterinary markets. There can be no assurance, however, that we will undertake such research and development activities in future periods or, if we do, that such activities will be successful.

Sales and Marketing

The following sets forth, for the periods indicated, our sales and marketing expenses:

	Three Months Ended											Nine Months Ended
	December 31,						Change					December 31,						Change
							Increase/		Percent									Increase/		Percent
	2007			2006			(Decrease)		Change			2007			2006			(Decrease)		Change
Sales and marketing expenses	$	6,056,000		$	5,302,000		$	754,000		14	%	$	17,666,000		$	15,306,000		$	2,360,000		15	%
Percentage of total revenues		24	%		24	%							24	%		24	%

Sales and marketing expenses consist of personnel costs (including salaries, benefits and share-based compensation expense), commissions and travel-related expenses for personnel engaged in selling, costs associated with advertising, lead generation, marketing programs, trade shows, and services related to customer and technical support.

Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2006

The increase in sales and marketing expenses, in absolute dollars, during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the three and nine months ended December 31, 2006, was primarily due to personnel-related costs resulting from an increase in headcount in various divisions including sales and marketing, customer service and technical service, to support the growth in both our medical and veterinary markets. Share-based compensation expense during the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, was $91,000 and $75,000, respectively, and during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, was $259,000 and $228,000, respectively.

General and Administrative

The following sets forth, for the periods indicated, our general and administrative expenses:

	Three Months Ended											Nine Months Ended
	December 31,						Change					December 31,						Change
							Increase/		Percent									Increase/		Percent
	2007			2006			(Decrease)		Change			2007			2006			(Decrease)		Change
General and administrative expenses	$	1,571,000		$	1,262,000		$	309,000		24	%	$	4,760,000		$	4,232,000		$	528,000		12	%
Percentage of total revenues		6	%		6	%							6	%		7	%

General and administrative expenses consist of personnel costs (including salaries, benefits and share-based compensation expense), and expenses for outside professional services related to general corporate functions, including accounting, human resources and legal.

Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2006

The increase in general and administrative expenses, in absolute dollars, during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the three and nine months ended December 31, 2006, was primarily due to an increase in personnel-related costs, which includes share-based compensation expense. Share-based compensation during the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, was $122,000 and $85,000, respectively, and during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, was $374,000 and $235,000, respectively.

Interest and Other Income (Expense), Net

The following sets forth, for the periods indicated, our interest and other income (expense), net:

	Three Months Ended										Nine Months Ended
		December 31,				Change					December 31,				Change
						Increase/		Percent							Increase/		Percent
		2007		2006		(Decrease)		Change			2007		2006		(Decrease)		Change
Interest and other income (expense), net		$	552,000	$	491,000	$	61,000		12	%	$	1,580,000	$	1,194,000	$	386,000		32	%

Interest and other income (expense), net, consists primarily of interest income earned on cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.

Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2006

The increase in interest and other income (expense), net, during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the three and nine months ended December 31, 2006, was primarily attributed to interest income in our investment portfolio resulting from higher average invested balances compared to the same periods in fiscal 2007.

Income Tax Provision

The following sets forth, for the periods indicated, our income tax provision:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	December 31,						December 31,
	2007			2006			2007			2006
Income tax provision	$	1,700,000		$	1,235,000		$	5,341,000		$	4,208,000
Effective tax rate		35	%		31	%		37	%		37	%

Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2006

The increase in the effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006, was primarily due to the retroactive extension of the federal research and development tax credit in the three months ended December 31, 2006, which temporarily expired during the first six months of fiscal 2007, partially offset by a change in our investment portfolio resulting in a tax benefit in the three months ended December 31, 2007.

We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN No. 48”) on April 1, 2007. As a result of implementing FIN No. 48, we did not change the amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to tax positions taken in prior periods. We did not have any unrecognized tax benefits as of April 1, 2007, the date of adoption, or as of December 31, 2007. Our policy to include interest and penalties related to gross unrecognized tax benefits within our provision for income taxes did not change. During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007, we did not recognize any interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007 were as follows:

	December 31,			March 31,
	2007			2007
Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,792,000		$	10,183,000
Short-term investments		43,966,000			35,028,000
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	$	55,758,000		$	45,211,000
Percentage of total assets		48	%		44	%

Cash Flow Changes

Cash provided (used) in the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 were as follows:

	Nine Months Ended
	December 31,
	2007			2006
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	10,621,000		$	10,547,000
Net cash used in investing activities		(11,460,000	)		(9,006,000	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		2,448,000			3,298,000
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	1,609,000		$	4,839,000

At December 31, 2007, we had net working capital of $85,457,000 compared to $74,517,000 at March 31, 2007. Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2007 were $11,792,000, compared to $10,183,000 at March 31, 2007. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to proceeds from maturities of short-term investments and proceeds from exercises of stock options, partially offset by purchases of short-term investments and purchases of property and equipment.

Operating Activities

During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, we generated $10,621,000 in cash from operating activities. The cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 was primarily the result of net income of $9,191,000, adjusted for the effects of non-cash adjustments including depreciation and amortization of $2,563,000 and share-based compensation expense of $831,000, partially offset by a decrease of $270,000 related to excess tax benefits from share-based awards and a decrease in net deferred tax assets of $4,689,000.

Our net trade receivables increased by $3,933,000, from $16,929,000 at March 31, 2007 to $20,862,000 as of December 31, 2007, primarily due to higher sales in the last month of the quarter ended December 31, 2007. Net inventories increased by $3,207,000, from $14,813,000 at March 31, 2007 to $18,020,000 as of December 31, 2007, primarily due to instrument manufacturing problems associated with new chemistry analyzers. Prepaid expenses decreased by $644,000, from $1,321,000 at March 31, 2007 to $677,000 as of December 31, 2007, primarily due to the timing of payments. Current net deferred tax asset decreased by $4,846,000, from $8,979,000 at March 31, 2007 to $4,133,000 as of December 31, 2007, primarily as a result of the utilization of federal net operating loss carryforwards and California research and development tax credit carryforwards during the nine months ended December 31, 2007.

Accounts payable increased by $542,000, from $6,505,000 at March 31, 2007 to $7,047,000 as of December 31, 2007, primarily due to the timing and payment of services and inventory purchases. Accrued payroll and related expenses decreased by $243,000, from $3,830,000 at March 31, 2007 to $3,587,000 as of December 31, 2007, primarily due to a decrease in accrued bonus resulting from lower results than plan during the three months ended December 31, 2007. Total warranty reserves increased by $806,000, resulting from an increase in the current portion of warranty reserves of $842,000, from $315,000 at March 31, 2007 to $1,157,000 as of December 31, 2007, partially offset by a decrease in the non-current portion of warranty reserves of $36,000, from $532,000 at March 31, 2007 to $496,000 as of December 31, 2007. The net change in warranty reserves is based on (a) the number of instruments in standard warranty and estimated repair costs and (b) an estimate of defective reagent discs and replacement costs. Total deferred revenue decreased by $171,000, resulting from a decrease in the current portion of deferred revenue of $137,000, from $917,000 at March 31, 2007 to $780,000 as of December 31, 2007, and a decrease in the non-current portion of deferred revenue of $34,000, from $1,244,000 at March 31, 2007 to $1,210,000 as of December 31, 2007, primarily due to the amortization of maintenance contracts offered to customers from time to time as incentives in the form of free goods in connection with the sale of our products.

We anticipate that we will incur incremental additional costs to support our future operations, including further additional pre-clinical testing and clinical trials for our current and future products; research and design costs related to the continuing development of our current and future products; and acquisition of capital equipment for our manufacturing facility, which includes the ongoing costs related to the continuing development of our current and future products.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 totaled $11,460,000. This was attributed to our short-term investments and property and equipment, as described below:

Short-term Investments. Cash used to purchase short-term investments, consisting of auction rate securities, certificate of deposits, corporate debt securities and municipal bonds, totaled $41,742,000 during the nine months ended December 31, 2007. Cash provided by proceeds from maturities of short-term investments totaled $32,804,000 during the nine months ended December 31, 2007.

Property and Equipment. Cash used to purchase property and equipment totaled $2,522,000 during the nine months ended December 31, 2007, primarily to support (a) new product introduction and (b) more efficient production lines. We anticipate that we will continue to purchase property and equipment necessary in the normal course of our business.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 totaled $2,448,000, primarily consisting of $2,288,000 from proceeds from stock options exercises and $270,000 from excess tax benefits from share-based awards, partially offset by $110,000 from payment of income withholding taxes due upon vesting of restricted stock units.

Line of Credit

We have a line of credit with Comerica Bank-California which provides for borrowings of up to $2,000,000. The line of credit terminates upon notification by either party and any outstanding balance is payable upon demand. The line of credit bears interest at the bank’s prime rate minus 0.25%, which totaled 7.00% at December 31, 2007, and is payable monthly. Of the $2,000,000 available, $410,000 was committed to secure a letter of credit for our facilities lease at December 31, 2007. At December 31, 2007, there was no amount outstanding under our line of credit. The weighted average interest rates on the line of credit during the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 were 7.27% and 8.00%, respectively.

The line of credit agreement contains certain financial covenants, which are evaluated on a quarterly basis. At December 31, 2007, we were in compliance with each of these covenants. Included in these financial covenants, among other stipulations, are the following requirements:

We must have a minimum net income of $25,000 before preferred stock dividends and accretion on preferred stock in any three quarters of a fiscal year, provided that any loss before preferred stock dividends and accretion on preferred stock incurred in the remaining quarter is not to exceed $250,000.

·	We are required to be profitable, as defined, on a fiscal year to date basis beginning with the six month period ended September 30, 2007 and to have net income before preferred stock dividends and accretion on preferred stock of at least $1,150,000 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008.

·	We are required to comply with certain financial covenants as follows:

Financial Covenants	Requirements
Quick ratio, as defined	Not less than 2.00 to 1.00
Cash flow coverage, as defined	Not less than 1.25 to 1.00
Debt to net worth ratio, as defined	Not greater than 1.00 to 1.00
Tangible effective net worth, as defined	Not less than $25,731,000

Borrowings under the line of credit are collateralized by our net book value of assets of $100.3 million at December 31, 2007, including our intellectual property.

Purchase Commitments

A discussion of our amended original equipment manufacturing agreement with Diatron Messtechnik GmbH is included in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements.

Contingencies

We are involved from time to time in various litigation matters in the normal course of business. While the outcome of these proceedings and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Financial Condition

We anticipate that our existing capital resources, available line of credit and anticipated revenue from the sales of our products will be adequate to satisfy our currently planned operating and financial requirements through at least the next 12 months. Our future capital requirements will largely depend upon the increased market acceptance of our point-of-care blood analyzer products. However, our sales for any future periods are not predictable with a significant degree of certainty. Regardless, we may seek to raise additional funds to pursue strategic opportunities.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

A discussion of recent accounting pronouncements is included in Note 2 of the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes with respect to our short-term investments and line of credit.

We invest excess cash in cash equivalents and in various types of short-term investments. Our investment objective is to maximize yields without significantly increased risk. At December 31, 2007, our short-term investments totaled $43,966,000, and there were no unrealized gains. The short-term investments at December 31, 2007 consisted of auction rate securities, certificate of deposits and municipal bonds. Although auction rate securities may have maturities beyond one year, these securities were classified as short-term, based on their highly liquid nature and due to the frequency with which the interest rate is reset; accordingly, we have the ability to quickly liquidate these securities. In addition, we have the ability to hold the certificate of deposits and municipal bonds until maturity and therefore, we believe we have no material exposure to interest rate risk. A sensitivity analysis assuming a hypothetical 10% movement in interest rates applied to our investment balances at December 31, 2007 indicated that such market movement would not have a material effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. We have not experienced any significant losses on our investment portfolio.

For our line of credit, which provides for borrowings of up to $2,000,000, the interest rate is equal to the bank’s prime rate minus 0.25%, which totaled 7.00% at December 31, 2007. Consequently, an increase in the prime rate would expose us to higher interest expenses. A sensitivity analysis assuming a hypothetical 10% movement in the prime rate applied to our line of credit balance at December 31, 2007 indicated that such market movement would not have a material effect on our business, operating results or financial condition, as there was no amount outstanding on our line of credit at December 31, 2007.

As a matter of management policy, we do not currently enter into transactions involving derivative financial instruments. In the event we do enter into such transactions in the future, such items will be accounted for in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”

Foreign Currency Rate Fluctuations

We operate primarily in the United States and a majority of our revenues, cost of revenues, operating expenses and capital purchasing activities during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007 were transacted in U.S. dollars. However, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on the hematology instruments and hematology reagent kits purchased from Diatron Messtechnik GmbH, which are denominated in Euros. Additionally, operations from our Germany sales office are stated in Euros and translated into U.S. dollars at the period-end exchange rates. To the extent the U.S. dollar strengthens against the Euro currency, the translation of the foreign currency denominated transactions may result in reduced cost of revenues and operating expenses. Similarly, our cost of revenues and operating expenses will increase, if the U.S. dollar weakens against Euro currency.

Other than the foregoing, there have been no material changes in our market risk during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007 compared to the disclosures in Part II, Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Based on our management’s evaluation, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (which are defined under SEC rules as controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods), were effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the quarter ended December 31, 2007, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Inherent Limitations on Controls and Procedures

A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Accordingly, even an effective system of internal control will provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of the internal control system are met.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are involved from time to time in various litigation matters in the normal course of business. We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

RISK FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT OUR PERFORMANCE

Our future performance is subject to a number of risks. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business could be harmed and the trading price of our common stock could decline.

When used in these risk factors, the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “future,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plans,” “projects,” “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those that we project in the forward-looking statements as a result of factors that we have set forth throughout this document as well as factors of which we are currently not aware.

In evaluating our business, you should carefully consider the following risks in addition to the other information in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 14, 2007. We note these factors for investors as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. It is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and, therefore, you should not consider any of the risks to be a complete statement of all the potential risks or uncertainties that we face.

We are not able to predict sales in future quarters and a number of factors affect our periodic results, which makes our quarterly operating results less predictable.

We are not able to accurately predict our sales in future quarters. Our revenue in the medical and veterinary markets is derived primarily by selling to distributors who resell our products to the ultimate user. While we are better able to predict sales of our reagent discs, as we sell these discs primarily for use with blood chemistry analyzers that we sold in prior periods, we generally are unable to predict with much certainty sales of our blood chemistry analyzers, as we typically sell our blood chemistry analyzers to new users. Accordingly, our sales in any one quarter are not indicative of our sales in any future period.

We generally operate with a limited order backlog, because we ship our products shortly after we receive the orders from our customers. As a result, our product sales in any quarter are generally dependent on orders that we receive and ship in that quarter. We base our expense levels, which are to a large extent fixed, in part on our expectations as to future revenues. We may be unable to reduce our spending in a timely manner to compensate for any unexpected revenue shortfall. As a result, any such shortfall would immediately materially and adversely impact our operating results and financial condition.

The sales cycle for our products can fluctuate, which may cause revenue and operating results to vary significantly from period to period. We believe the fluctuation is due to (i) seasonal patterns in the decision making processes by our independent distributors and direct customers, (ii) inventory or timing considerations by our distributors and (iii) on the purchasing requirements of the U.S. Military to acquire our products. Accordingly, we believe that period to period comparisons of our results of operations are not necessarily meaningful.

In the future, our periodic operating results may vary significantly depending on, but not limited to, a number of factors, including:

· new product announcements made by us or our competitors;

· changes in our pricing structures or the pricing structures of our competitors;

· our ability to develop, introduce and market new products on a timely basis;

· our manufacturing capacities and our ability to increase the scale of these capacities;

· the mix of product sales between our blood chemistry analyzers and our reagent disc products;

· the amount we spend on research and development; and

· changes in our strategy.

We could fail to achieve anticipated revenue if the market does not accept our products.

Our core compact blood chemistry analyzer product differs substantially from current blood chemistry analyzers on the market. Our primary competition is from centralized laboratories that offer a greater number of tests than our products, but do so at a greater overall cost and require more time. We also compete with other point-of-care analyzers that cost more, require more maintenance and offer a narrower range of tests. However, these point-of-care analyzers are generally marketed by larger companies which have greater resources for sales and marketing, in addition to a recognized brand name and established distribution relationships.

Historically, we have marketed our VetScan systems through both direct sales and distribution channels to veterinarians. Although we believe that in our targeted markets, our reagent disc products provide a sufficient breadth of test menus, we continue to develop new animal blood tests and we cannot be assured that the tests will be accepted by the veterinary market.

In the human medical market, we have relatively limited experience in large scale sales of our Piccolo blood chemistry analyzer. Although we believe that our blood chemistry analyzers offer consumers many advantages, including according to our analyses substantial cost savings, in terms of the actual product and implementation of it procedurally, these advantages involve changes to current standard practices, such as using large clinical laboratories that will require changes in both the procedures and mindset of care providers. The human medical market in particular is highly regulated, structured, difficult to penetrate and often slow to adopt new product offerings. If we are unable to convince large numbers of medical clinics, hospitals and other point-of-care environments of the benefits of our products, we will suffer lost sales and could fail to achieve anticipated revenue.

We could fail to achieve anticipated revenue if problems related to the manufacture of our new blood chemistry analyzers are not resolved.

We manufacture our blood chemistry analyzers at our manufacturing facility in Union City, California. We are currently experiencing problems related to the manufacture of our new blood chemistry analyzer, which are primarily related to certain key components that we purchase from various suppliers. These manufacturing problems may be potentially related to quality on key components from our suppliers or to design issues of the key components required in our blood analyzer. If we are unable to resolve these manufacturing problems on our new blood chemistry analyzer, we will not be able to manufacture sufficient quantities to meet anticipated demand and, therefore, will not be able to effectively market and sell our new blood chemistry analyzer; accordingly, our revenue and business would be materially adversely affected.

We rely on patents and other proprietary information, the loss of any would negatively affect our business.

As of December 31, 2007, 35 patent applications have been filed on our behalf with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”), of which 30 patents have been issued. Additionally, we have filed several international patent applications covering the same subject matter as our domestic applications. The patent position of any medical device manufacturer, including us, is uncertain and may involve complex legal and factual issues. Consequently, we may not be issued any additional patents, either domestically or internationally. Furthermore, our patents may not provide significant proprietary protection because there is a chance that they will be circumvented or invalidated. We cannot be certain that we were the first creator of the inventions covered by our issued patents or pending patent applications, or that we were the first to file patent applications for these inventions, because (1) the USPTO maintains all patent applications that are not filed in any foreign jurisdictions in secrecy until it issues the patents (unless a patent application owner files a request for publication) and (2) publications of discoveries in the scientific or patent literature tend to lag behind actual discoveries by several months. We may have to participate in interference proceedings, which are proceedings in front of the USPTO, to determine who will be issued a patent. These proceedings could be costly and could be decided against us.

We also rely upon copyrights, trademarks and unpatented trade secrets. Others may independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information and techniques that would undermine our proprietary technologies. Further, others may gain access to our trade secrets or disclose such technology. Although we require our employees, consultants and advisors to execute agreements that require that our corporate information be kept confidential and that any inventions by these individuals are property of Abaxis, there can be no assurance that these agreements will provide meaningful protection or adequate remedies for our trade secrets in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of such information. The unauthorized dissemination of our confidential information would negatively impact our business.

We must continue to develop our marketing and distribution experience in the human diagnostic market or our business will not grow.

Although we have gained experience marketing our VetScan products in the veterinary diagnostic market, we have limited sales, marketing and distribution experience with our Piccolo chemistry analyzers in the human diagnostic market. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that:

·	we will be able to establish and maintain effective distribution arrangements in the human diagnostic market;

·	any distribution arrangements that we are able to establish will be successful in marketing our products; or

·	the costs associated with marketing and distributing our products will not be excessive.

Should we fail to effectively develop our marketing and distribution efforts, our growth will be limited and our results of operations will be adversely affected.

We must increase sales of our Piccolo and VetScan products or we may not be able to maintain profitability.

As of December 31, 2007, we had cumulative net losses of $6.3 million. Our ability to continue to be consistently profitable will depend, in part, on our ability to increase our sales volumes of our Piccolo and VetScan products. Increasing the sales volume of our products will depend upon, among other things, our ability to:

· continue to develop our products;

· increase our sales and marketing activities;

· effectively manage our manufacturing activities; and

· effectively compete against current and future competitors.

We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully increase our sales volumes of our products to achieve sustained profitability.

We may inadvertently produce defective products, which may subject us to significant warranty liabilities or product liability claims and we may have insufficient product liability insurance to pay material uninsured claims.

Our business exposes us to potential warranty and product liability risks which are inherent in the testing, manufacturing and marketing of human and veterinary medical products. We strive to apply sophisticated methods to raw materials and produce defect-free medical test equipment. Although we have established procedures for quality control on both the raw materials that we receive from suppliers and our manufactured final products, these procedures may prove inadequate to detect a defect that either occurs in limited quantities or that we have not anticipated. Our Piccolo and VetScan chemistry analyzers may be unable to detect all errors which could result in the misdiagnosis of human or veterinary patients.

Should we inadvertently ship defective products, we may be subject to substantial claims under our warranty policy or product liability law. In addition, our policy is to credit medical providers for any defective product that we produce, including those reagent discs that are rejected by our Piccolo and VetScan chemistry analyzers. Therefore, even if a mass defect within a lot or lots of reagent discs were detected by our Piccolo and VetScan chemistry analyzers, our need to replace such reagent discs free of charge would materially harm our financial condition. Further, in the event that a product defect is not detected by our Piccolo chemistry analyzer, our relatively recent expansion into the human medical market greatly increases the risk that the amount of damages involved with just one product defect would be material to our operations. We currently maintain limited product liability insurance that we believe is adequate for our needs, taking into account the risks involved and cost of coverage. However, our product liability insurance and cash may be insufficient to cover potential liabilities. In addition, in the future the coverage that we require may be unavailable on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. Even with our current insurance coverage, a mass product defect, product liability claim or recall would materially adversely affect our business or our financial condition.

Many of our sales force have been employed by us for less than one year and we must effectively train and integrate our sales team in order to achieve our anticipated revenue or expand our business.

As of December 31, 2007, we have 68 full-time sales personnel directly involved in our sales and marketing activities, many of whom have been employed by us for a limited period of time. If we are to increase our direct sales, we will need to train new sales personnel and supervise them closely. We also will continue hiring additional sales personnel. If we are unable to retain our existing personnel, or attract and train additional qualified personnel, our growth may be limited due to our lack of resources to market our products.

We need to successfully manufacture and market additional reagent discs for the human diagnostic market if we are to compete in that market.

We have developed a blood analysis system that consists of a portable blood analyzer and single-use reagent discs. Each reagent disc performs a series of standard blood tests. We believe that it is necessary to develop additional series of reagent discs with various tests for use with the Piccolo and VetScan chemistry analyzers. Historically, we have developed reagent discs suitable for the human medical and veterinary diagnostic markets. We have received 510(k) clearances from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for 25 test methods in the human medical market. These tests are included in standard tests for which the medical community receives reimbursements from third-party payors such as HMOs and Medicare. We may not be able to successfully manufacture or market these reagent discs. Our failure to meet these challenges will materially adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

We rely on distributors to sell our products and we rely on sole distributor arrangements in a number of countries. Our failure to successfully maintain these relationships could adversely affect our ability to achieve our anticipated revenue or expand our business.

We sell our medical and veterinary products primarily through distributors. As a result, we are dependent upon these distributors to sell our products and to assist us in promoting and creating a demand for our products. We operate on a purchase order basis with the distributors and the distributors are under no contractual obligation to continue carrying our products. Further, many of our distributors may carry our competitors’ products, and may promote our competitors’ products over our own products. One distributor, DVM Resources, accounted for 12% and 13% of our total worldwide revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and for 13% and 15% of our total worldwide revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

We have a number of distributors in the United States who distribute our VetScan products. While we continue to enter into arrangements with veterinary distributors, we have also terminated our distribution relationships with the veterinary division of Henry Schein in May 2006. While we have in the past, and expect to in the future, support those customers who were previously supplied products by Henry Schein through our current distributor base and direct service, the loss of these or other distributors may negatively affect our future revenues. Accordingly, if one or more of our distributors were to stop selling our products in the future, we may experience a temporary sharp decline in our sales revenue or we may experience a delay in our sales revenue.

In the United States medical market, we have a few distributors for our Piccolo products. We entered into formal distribution agreements with McKesson Medical-Surgical Inc. in our first quarter of fiscal 2008, Cardinal Health in our fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, Henry Schein’s Medical Group in our first quarter of fiscal 2007 and PSS World Medical, Inc. in our third quarter of fiscal 2006, to sell and market Piccolo chemistry analyzers and medical reagent discs. We depend on these distributors to assist us in promoting market acceptance of our Piccolo chemistry analyzers.

Internationally, we have only a few distributors for our products in both the medical and veterinary diagnostic markets. We terminated our distributor agreement with T. Chatani & Co., Ltd. in Japan in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and, although T. Chatani & Co., Ltd has agreed to continue to service Abaxis customers, which includes selling our reagent discs and hematology reagent kits, for a limited period, our total product sales to T. Chatani & Co., Ltd. under the arrangement have significantly decreased and, as a result, our quarterly revenues has been adversely impacted. In October 2007, we signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Central Scientific Commerce, Inc., (CSC) to distribute the complete line of Abaxis medical and veterinary products in Japan. In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, CSC began the process of registering our new instruments, the VetScan VS2, VetScan HM5 and Piccolo xpress in Japan, but we have not yet made any sales of instruments to CSC under the new agreement. Accordingly, an inability of, or any delays by, our distributor in receiving the necessary approvals can adversely impact our instrument revenues in Japan. We cannot assure you that our new distribution relationship with CSC will be as successful as our prior distribution arrangement, or at all.

We currently have distributors that carry either our medical or veterinary products in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Macao, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. Our distributor in each of these countries is responsible for obtaining the necessary approvals to sell our new and existing products. These distributors may not be successful in obtaining proper approvals for our new and existing products in their respective countries, and they may not be successful in marketing our products. We plan to continue to enter into additional distributor relationships to expand our international distribution base and solidify our international presence. However, we may not be successful in entering into additional distributor relationships. Our distributors may terminate their relationship with us at any time. Historically, we have experienced a turnover among our international distributors. This high degree of turnover makes it difficult for us to establish a steady distribution network overseas. Consequently, we may not be successful in marketing our Piccolo and VetScan products internationally.

We depend on sole suppliers for several key components in our products, many of whom we have not entered into contractual relationships with and failure of our suppliers to provide the materials to us could harm our business.

We use several key components that are currently available from limited or sole sources as discussed below:

Reagent Discs: Two injection molding manufacturers, C. Brewer & Co. and Nypro, Inc., currently make the molded plastic discs which, when loaded with reagents and welded together, form our reagent disc products. We believe that only a few manufacturers are capable of producing these discs to the narrow tolerances that we require. To date, we have only qualified these two manufacturers to manufacture the molded plastic discs.

Reagent Chemicals: We currently depend on the following single source vendors for some of the chemicals that we use to produce the dry reagent chemistry beads that are either inserted in our reagent discs or sold as a stand-alone product: Amano Enzyme USA Co., Ltd., Genzyme Corporation, Kikkoman Corporation Biochemical Division, Microgenics Corporation, Roche Molecular Biochemicals of Roche Diagnostics Corporation, a division of F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd., Shinko American Inc. and Sigma Aldrich Inc.

Blood Analyzer Components: Our analyzer products use several technologically advanced components that we currently purchase from the following single source vendors: PerkinElmer, Inc. and UDT Sensors. Our analyzers use a printer that is primarily made by Seiko North America Corporation. The loss of the supply of any of these components could force us to redesign our analyzers.

Hematology Instruments and Reagents: Our hematology instruments are manufactured by Diatron Messtechnik GmbH in Hungary and are purchased by us as a completed instrument. To date, we have qualified three suppliers to produce the reagents for our hematology instruments: Clinical Diagnostic Solutions, Inc., Diatron and Mallinckrodt Baker BV.

We operate on a purchase order basis with all of the suppliers of our molded plastic reagent discs, reagent chemicals and blood analyzer components and thus these suppliers are under no contractual obligation to supply us with their products or to do so at specified prices. Although we believe that there are potential alternate suppliers available for these critical components, to date we have not qualified additional vendors beyond those referenced above.

Because we are dependent on a limited number of suppliers and manufacturers for critical components to our products, we are particularly susceptible to any interruption in the supply of these products or the viability of our assembly arrangements. The loss of any one of these suppliers or a disruption in our manufacturing arrangements could materially adversely affect our business and financial condition.

We are dependent upon our profitability, and if we cannot remain profitable we may need additional funding in the future and these funds may not be available to us.

We believe that our existing capital resources, available line of credit and anticipated revenue from the sales of our products will be adequate to satisfy our currently planned operating and financial requirements through the next 12 months, although no assurances can be given. The terms of our line of credit contain a number of covenants concerning financial tests that we must meet, and these tests are more fully explained herein under the subheading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Further, we expect to incur incremental additional costs to support our future operations, including:

·	further commercialization of our products and development of new test methods to allow us to further penetrate the human diagnostic market and the veterinary diagnostic market;

·	our need to acquire capital equipment for our manufacturing facilities, which includes the ongoing costs related to the continuing development of our current and future products;

·	research and design costs related to the continuing development of our current and future products; and

·	additional pre-clinical testing and clinical trials for our current and future products.

To the extent that our existing resources and anticipated revenue from the sale of our products are insufficient to fund our activities or if we are unable to meet the financial covenants of our line of credit, we may have to raise additional funds from the issuance of public or private securities. In the event that we cannot maintain compliance with these financial covenants, we may also be subject to increased interest rate expenses. We may not be able to raise additional funding, or if we are able to, we may not be able to raise funding on acceptable terms. We may also dilute then-existing shareholders if we raise additional funds by issuing new equity securities. Alternately, we may have to relinquish rights to certain of our technologies, products and/or sales territories if we are required to obtain funds through arrangements with collaborative partners. If we are unable to raise needed funds, we may be required to curtail our operations significantly. This would materially adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

We may not be able to compete effectively with larger, better established entities or their products, or with future organizations or future products, which could cause our sales to decline.

Blood analysis is a well established field in which there are a number of competitors that have substantially greater financial resources and larger, more established marketing, sales and service organizations than we do. We compete with the following organizations:

commercial clinical laboratories;

hospitals’ clinical laboratories; and

manufacturers of bench top multi-test blood analyzers and other testing systems that health care providers can use “on-site” (a listing of our competitors is listed below).

Historically, hospitals and commercial laboratories performed most human diagnostic testing, and commercial laboratories performed most veterinary medical testing. We have identified five principal factors that customers typically use to evaluate our products and those of our competitors. These factors include:

range of tests offered;

immediacy of results;

cost effectiveness;

ease of use; and

reliability of results.

We believe that we compete effectively on each of these factors except for the range of tests offered. Clinical laboratories are effective at processing large panels of tests using skilled technicians and complex equipment. While our current offering of reagent discs cannot provide the same broad range of tests, we believe that in certain markets our products provide a sufficient breadth of test menus to compete successfully with clinical laboratories given the advantages of our products with respect to the other four factors. However, we cannot assure you that we will continue to be able to compete effectively on cost effectiveness, ease of use, immediacy of results or reliability of results. We also cannot assure you that we will ever be able to compete effectively on the basis of range of tests offered.

Competition in the human and veterinary diagnostic markets is intense. Our principal competitors in the human diagnostic market are Alfa Wassermann S.P.A., i-STAT Corporation (which was purchased by Abbott Laboratories), Johnson & Johnson (including its subsidiary, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc.), Kodak (DT60 analyzer), Polymedco and Roche (Reflotron system). Our principal competitors in the veterinary diagnostic market are Idexx Laboratories, Inc. and Heska Corporation. Most of our competitors have significantly greater financial and other resources than we do. In particular, many of our competitors have large sales forces and well-established distribution channels. Consequently, we must develop our distribution channels and improve our direct sales force in order to compete in these markets.

Changes in third-party payor reimbursement regulations can negatively affect our business.

By regulating the maximum amount of reimbursement they will provide for blood testing services, third-party payors, such as HMOs, pay-per-service insurance plans, Medicare and Medicaid, can indirectly affect the pricing or the relative attractiveness of our human testing products. For example, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (the “CMS”) set the level of reimbursement of fees for blood testing services for Medicare beneficiaries. If third-party payors decrease the reimbursement amounts for blood testing services, it may decrease the amount that physicians and hospitals are able to charge patients for such services. Consequently, we will need to charge less for our products. If the government and third-party payors do not provide for adequate coverage and reimbursement levels to allow health care providers to use our products, the demand for our products will decrease.

We are subject to numerous governmental regulations and any regulatory changes are difficult to predict and may be damaging to our business.

Need for FDA Certification for Our Medical Device Products

Our Piccolo products are regulated under the 1976 Medical Device Amendments to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which is administered by the FDA. The FDA has classified our Piccolo products as “Class I” and “Class II” devices. These classifications require us to submit to the FDA a pre-market notification form or 510(k). The FDA uses the 510(k) to substantiate product claims that are made by medical device manufacturers prior to marketing. In our 510(k) notification, we must, among other things, establish that the product we plan to market is “substantially equivalent” to (1) a product that was on the market prior to the adoption of the 1976 Medical Device Amendment or (2) a product that the FDA has previously cleared under the 510(k) process.

The FDA review process of a 510(k) notification can last anywhere from three to six months, and the FDA must issue a written order finding “substantial equivalence” before a company can market a medical device. As of December 31, 2007, we have received market clearance from the FDA for our Piccolo chemistry analyzer and 25 reagent tests that we have on 13 reagent discs. We are currently developing additional tests that the FDA will have to clear through the 510(k) notification procedures. These new test products are crucial for our success in the human medical market. If we do not receive 510(k) clearance for a particular product, we will not be able to sell that product in the United States.

Need to Comply with Manufacturing Regulations

The 1976 Medical Device Amendment also requires us to manufacture our Piccolo products in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices guidelines. Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements are set forth in the 21 CFR 820 Quality System Regulation. These requirements regulate the methods used in, and the facilities and controls used for the design, manufacture, packaging, storage, installation and servicing of our medical devices intended for human use. Our manufacturing facility is subject to periodic inspections. Although we have obtained a license from the State of California to manufacture our products, various state regulatory agencies may regulate the manufacture of our products. To date, we have complied with the following:

·	In April 2001, the State of California Food and Drug Branch granted our manufacturing facility “in compliance” status, based on the regulations for Good Manufacturing Practices for medical devices.

·	In May 2001, the State of California Food and Drug Branch granted licensing for our manufacturing facility in Union City, California.

·	In May 2002, we received our ISO 9001 certification, expanding our compliance with international quality standards.

·	In December 2003, we received ISO 13485 Quality System certification as required by the 2003 European In Vitro Device Directive. This certified our quality system specifically to medical devices.

·	In both September 2005 and March 2003, the FDA conducted a facility inspection and verified our compliance with the 21 CFR 820 Regulation.

·	In November 2006, we received our recertification to the ISO 13485:2003 Quality System Standard for medical devices.

We cannot assure you that we will successfully pass a re-inspection by the FDA or the State of California. In addition, we cannot assure you that we can comply with all current or future government manufacturing requirements and regulations. If we are unable to comply with the regulations, or if we do not pass routine inspections, our business and results of operations will be materially adversely affected.

Effects of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments on Our Products

Our Piccolo products are also affected by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (the “CLIA”) of 1988. The CLIA are intended to insure the quality and reliability of all medical testing in the United States regardless of where tests are performed. The current CLIA regulations divide laboratory tests into the following three categories:

waived;

·	moderately complex; and

·	highly complex.

Many of the tests performed using the Piccolo chemistry analyzer are in the “moderately complex” category. This category requires that any location in which testing is performed be certified as a laboratory. Hence, we can only sell some Piccolo products to customers who meet the standards of a laboratory. To receive “laboratory” certification, a testing facility must be certified by the CMS. After the testing facility receives a “laboratory” certification, it must then meet the CLIA regulations. Because we can only sell some Piccolo products to testing facilities that are certified “laboratories,” the market for some products is correspondingly constrained.

In October 2007, the FDA granted waived status under CLIA regulations for the following analytes when used in conjunction with the Piccolo xpress and Piccolo Classic chemistry analyzers for the medical market: chloride (CL-), potassium (K+), sodium (NA+) and total carbon dioxide (TCO2).

Prior to the end of fiscal 2007, the FDA granted waived status under CLIA regulations for the following tests when used in conjunction with our Piccolo chemistry analyzer: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin (ALB), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), amylase (AMY), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), calcium (CA), creatinine (CRE), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), glucose (GLU), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), total bilirubin (TBIL), total protein (TP), triglycerides (TRIG), total cholesterol (CHOL), urea nitrogen (BUN) and uric acid (UA). Accordingly, we can offer the following Piccolo reagent discs as waived tests to the medical market: Basic Metabolic Panel, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, Electrolyte Panel, General Chemistry 6, General Chemistry 13, Kidney Check, Lipid Panel, Lipid Panel Plus and Liver Panel Plus. Waived status permits untrained personnel to run the Piccolo chemistry analyzer using these tests; thus, extending the sites (doctors’ offices and other point-of-care environments) that can use the Piccolo chemistry analyzer.

We cannot assure you that we will successfully receive CLIA waived status from the FDA for other products. Consequently, for the reagent discs that have not received CLIA waived status, the market for our Piccolo products may be confined to those testing facilities that are certified as “laboratories” and our growth can be limited accordingly. However, we are engaged in an active program to test and apply for CLIA waivers for additional analytes.

Need to Comply with Various Federal, State, Local and International Regulations

Federal, state, local and international regulations regarding the manufacture and sale of health care products and diagnostic devices may change. In addition, as we continue to sell in foreign markets, we may have to obtain additional governmental clearances in those markets. Foreign certifications that we have received include the following, among others:

In December 2003, we received certification from the British Standards Institute to the ISO 13485:1996 quality system standard for medical devices. This quality system certification, along with successful completion of product testing to 2003 European standards and the translation of Piccolo product documentation into the required languages, enabled us to meet the compliance requirements of the CE Mark and the 2003 European In Vitro Device Directive.

·	In September 2005, we received the Canadian Medical Device Conformity Assessment System stamp on our ISO 13485 certificate to signify compliance with Health Canada regulations.

·	In March 2006, we received our certification to the 2003 version of the ISO 13485 Quality System Standard for medical devices.

·	In November 2006, we received our recertification to the ISO 13485:2003 Quality System Standard for medical devices.

We cannot predict what impact, if any, such current or future regulatory changes would have on our business. We may not be able to obtain regulatory clearances for our products in the United States or in foreign markets, and the failure to obtain these regulatory clearances will materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Although we believe that we will be able to comply with all applicable regulations of the FDA and of the State of California, including the Quality System Regulation, current regulations depend on administrative interpretations. Future interpretations made by the FDA, CMS or other regulatory bodies may adversely affect our business.

We depend on key members of our management and scientific staff, and we must retain and recruit qualified individuals if we are to be competitive or our ability to execute our business strategy and generate sales could be harmed.

We are highly dependent on the principal members of our management and scientific staff. The loss of any of these key personnel, including in particular Clinton H. Severson, our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board of Directors, might impede the achievement of our business objectives. Mr. Severson’s amended and restated employment agreement with us has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit. Although historically we have been relatively successful both in retaining our current management and scientific staff, as well as attracting and retaining skilled and experienced marketing, sales and manufacturing personnel, we may not be able to employ such personnel on acceptable terms in the future because numerous medical products and other high technology companies compete for the services of these qualified individuals. We currently do not maintain key man life insurance on any of our employees.

Standards for compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are complex, and if we are unable to maintain effective internal control over our financial reporting, our business could be harmed and our stock price could decline.

Rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 require an annual assessment of internal control over financial reporting by our management and an attestation of its assessment by an independent registered public accounting firm. The standards that must be met for management to assess the internal control over financial reporting as effective are new and complex, require significant documentation, testing and possible remediation to meet the detailed standards.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of our fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and 2006. Although we received an unqualified opinion on our financial statements for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, and on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2007 and 2006, the steps we have taken to date and the steps we are still in the process of taking to improve the reliability of our financial statements in the future are subject to continued management review, as well as oversight by the audit committee of our board of directors. The assessment for our fiscal year ended March 31, 2005 identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting related to ineffective controls over the determination and reporting of the provision for income taxes. The control deficiency identified in fiscal 2005 could have resulted in a future material misstatement of our income tax provision (and related balance sheet accounts) that would not have been prevented or detected by management. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in implementation could harm operating results or prevent us from accurately reporting financial results or cause a failure to meet our reporting obligations in the future. If our management cannot assess our internal control over financial reporting as effective, or our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to provide an unqualified attestation report on such assessment, investor confidence and our share value may be negatively impacted.

Our operating results could be materially affected by unanticipated changes in our tax provisions or exposure to additional income tax liabilities.

Our determination of our tax liability (like any company’s determination of its tax liability) is subject to review by applicable tax authorities. Any adverse outcome of such a review could have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. In addition, the determination of our provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities requires significant judgment including our determination of whether a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets is required. Although we believe our estimates and judgments are reasonable, the ultimate tax outcome may differ from the amounts recorded in our financial statements and may materially affect our financial results in the period or periods for which such determination is made.

We must comply with strict and potentially costly environmental regulations or we could pay significant fines.

We are subject to stringent federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and policies that govern the use, generation, manufacture, storage, air emission, effluent discharge, handling and disposal of certain materials and wastes. In particular, we are subject to laws, rules and regulations governing the handling and disposal of biohazardous materials used in the development and testing of our products. We handle and dispose of human and veterinary blood samples for testing (whole blood, plasma, serum), which cost approximately $82,000 in fiscal 2007, and includes other environmental health and safety expenses to comply with applicable environmental regulations. Although we believe that we have complied with applicable laws and regulations in all material respects and have not been required to take any action to correct any noncompliance, we may have to incur significant costs to comply with environmental regulations if our manufacturing to commercial levels continues to increase. In addition, if a government agency determines that we have not complied with these laws, rules and regulations, we may have to pay significant fines and/or take remedial action that would be expensive and we do not carry environmental-related insurance coverage.

Our facilities and manufacturing operations are vulnerable to natural disasters and other unexpected losses; system failures or delays may harm our business.

Our success depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our manufacturing operations, which are co-located with our corporate headquarters in Union City, California. A failure of manufacturing operations, be it in the development and manufacturing of our Piccolo or VetScan blood chemistry analyzers or the reagent discs used in the blood chemistry analyzers, could result in our inability to supply customer demand.

We do not have a backup facility to provide redundant manufacturing capacity in the event of a system failure. Accordingly, if our location in Union City, California experienced a system failure or regulatory problem that temporarily shuts down our manufacturing facility, our manufacturing ability would become unavailable until we were able to bring an alternative facility online, a process which could take several weeks or even months. These manufacturing operations are also vulnerable to damage from earthquakes, fire, floods, power loss, telecommunications failures, break-ins and similar events. Although we carry property and business interruption insurance, our coverage may not be adequate to compensate us for all losses that may occur. Additionally, our computer servers may be vulnerable to computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions.

Fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and the possible lack of financial stability in foreign countries could prevent overseas sales growth.

Our international sales are currently overwhelmingly U.S. dollar-denominated. As a result, an increase in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies could make our products less competitive in international markets. For the limited amount of our sales denominated in local currencies, we are subject to fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the particular local currency. Our operating results could also be adversely affected by the seasonality of international sales and the economic conditions of our overseas markets.

Our stock price is highly volatile and investing in our stock involves a high degree of risk, which could result in substantial losses for investors.

The market price of our common stock, like the securities of many other medical products companies, fluctuates over a wide range, and will continue to be highly volatile in the future. During the quarter ended December 31, 2007, the closing sale prices of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market ranged from $22.76 to $39.74 per share and the closing sale price for our quarter ended December 31, 2007 was $35.86 per share. During the last eight fiscal quarters ended December 31, 2007, our stock price closed at a high of $39.74 on December 24, 2007 and a low of $16.70 on January 3, 2006. Many factors may affect the market price of our common stock, including:

·	fluctuation in our operating results;

·	announcements of technological innovations or new commercial products by us or our competitors;

·	changes in governmental regulation;

·	prospects and proposals for health care reform;

·	governmental or third-party payors’ controls on prices that our customers may pay for our products;

·	developments or disputes concerning our patents or our other proprietary rights;

·	public concern as to the safety of our devices or similar devices developed by our competitors; and

·	general market conditions.

Because our stock price is so volatile, investing in our common stock is highly risky. A potential investor must be able to withstand the loss of his entire investment in our common stock.

Our shareholders rights plan and our ability to issue preferred stock may delay or prevent a change of control of Abaxis.

Our shareholder rights plan, adopted by our board of directors on April 22, 2003, may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third party from attempting to acquire control of, Abaxis. The shareholder rights plan could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

In addition, our board of directors has the authority to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock and to determine the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, of those shares without any further vote or action by the shareholders, except to the extent required by NASDAQ rules. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible financings or acquisitions or other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

At our annual meeting of shareholders held on October 25, 2007, the following matters were considered and voted upon:

(a)

The election of six (6) directors to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders. The votes cast and withheld for such nominees were as follows:

Nominee	FOR	WITHHELD
Clinton H. Severson	19,040,275	307,250
Richard J. Bastiani, Ph.D.	19,040,442	307,083
Henk J. Evenhuis	19,065,618	281,907
Brenton G.A. Hanlon	19,033,342	314,183
Prithipal Singh, Ph.D.	18,091,107	1,253,418
Ernest S. Tucker III, M.D.	19,040,528	306,997

(b)

The results of voting on the ratification of the appointment of Burr, Pilger & Mayer LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008, were as follows:

FOR	AGAINST	ABSTAIN
19,253,398	54,754	39,373

Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable.

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description of Document
3.1	Restated Articles of Incorporation (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference.)
3.2	By-laws (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in our Registration Statement No. 33-44326 on December 11, 1991 and incorporated herein by reference.)
3.3	Amendment to the By-laws (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit with our Current Report on Form 8-K on July 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.1	Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2002 (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit with our Current Report on Form 8-K on May 13, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.2	Form of Warrant Agreement issued to purchasers of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock (Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit with our Current Report on Form 8-K on May 13, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference.)
4.3	Reference is made to Exhibit 3.1, Exhibit 3.2 and Exhibit 3.3.
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1#	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2#	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

# This certification accompanies this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The certification is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Abaxis, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in any such filing.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


	ABAXIS, INC. (Registrant)

Date: February 11, 2008	By:	/s/ Clinton H. Severson
		Clinton H. Severson
		President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)




Date: February 11, 2008	By:	/s/ Alberto R. Santa Ines
		Alberto R. Santa Ines
		Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)