OVERVIEW

TECHNE Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) are engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of biotechnology products and hematology calibrators and controls. These activities are conducted domestically through TECHNE Corporation's wholly-owned subsidiaries, Research and Diagnostic Systems, Inc. (R&D Systems), Boston Biochem, Inc. (Boston Biochem), and BiosPacific, Inc. (BiosPacific). TECHNE Corporation's European biotechnology operations are conducted through its wholly-owned U.K. subsidiaries, R&D Systems Europe Ltd. (R&D Europe) and Tocris Holdings Limited (Tocris). R&D Europe has a sales subsidiary, R&D Systems GmbH, in Germany and a sales office in France. TECHNE Corporation distributes its biotechnology products in China through its wholly-owned subsidiary, R&D Systems China Co., Ltd. (R&D China). R&D China has a sales subsidiary, R&D Systems Hong Kong Ltd., in Hong Kong.

The Company has two reportable segments based on the nature of its products:
biotechnology and hematology. R&D Systems' Biotechnology Division, R&D Europe, Tocris, R&D China, BiosPacific and Boston Biochem operating segments are included in the biotechnology reporting segment. The Company's biotechnology reporting segment develops, manufactures and sells biotechnology research and diagnostic products world-wide. The Company's hematology reporting segment, which consists of R&D Systems' Hematology Division, develops and manufactures hematology controls and calibrators for sale world-wide.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated net sales and consolidated net earnings decreased 3.3% and 6.7%, respectively for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2011. Consolidated net sales and consolidated net earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 were unfavorably affected by changes in exchange rates from the same prior-year period. A stronger U.S. dollar as compared to foreign currencies reduced sales by $1.9 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2012 from the comparable prior-year period.

Net sales

Consolidated net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 were $75.0 million, a decrease of $2.6 million (3.3%) from the quarter ended September 30, 2011. Excluding the effect of the change from the comparable prior-year period in exchange rates used to convert sales in foreign currencies (primarily British pound sterling, euros and Chinese yuan), consolidated net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 decreased 0.9% from the quarter ended September 30, 2011. Included in consolidated net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 was $288,000 of sales of new biotechnology products that had their first sale in fiscal 2013.

Net sales by reportable segment were as follows (in thousands):

                                                 Quarter Ended
                                                 September 30,
                                               2012         2011
                    Biotechnology            $ 69,503     $ 72,303
                    Hematology                  5,522        5,293

                    Consolidated net sales   $ 75,025     $ 77,596

Biotechnology segment net sales decreased $2.8 million (3.9%) for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same prior-year period. This decrease resulted primarily from changes in exchange rates from the comparable prior-year period which impacted sales by $1.9 million, as noted above. The quarter ended September 30, 2012 also had one less selling day as compared to the same prior-year period.

Biotechnology segment sales growth (decline), excluding the effect of changes in exchange rates, from the same prior-year periods were as follows:

                                                             Quarter Ended
                                                             September 30,
                                                        2012              2011
 U.S. industrial, pharmaceutical and biotechnology          (5.0 %)            9.3 %
 U.S. academic                                              (4.0 %)           (2.5 %)
 Europe                                                      3.1 %            (0.7 %)
 China                                                      25.1 %            14.1 %

Biotechnology segment net sales consisted of the following:

                                                         Quarter Ended
                                                         September  30,
                                                              2012
         United States:
         Industrial, pharmaceutical and biotechnology                 30 %
         Academic                                                     14 %
         Other                                                        13 %

                                                                      57 %

         Europe                                                       27 %
         China                                                         4 %
         Pacific rim distributors, excluding China                     9 %
         Rest of world                                                 3 %

                                                                     100 %

Hematology segment net sales increased $229,000 (4.3%) for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same prior-year period as a result of increased sales volume.

Gross margins

Segment gross margins, as a percentage of net sales, were as follows:

                                           Quarter Ended
                                           September 30,
                                          2012        2011
                         Biotechnology     76.1 %      77.2 %
                         Hematology        48.5 %      48.2 %
                         Consolidated      74.1 %      75.2 %

Biotechnology segment gross margin percentages for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 decreased from the same prior-year period primarily due to lower sales caused by unfavorable exchange rates. This negative gross margin impact was partially offset by a decline in the costs recognized upon the sale of inventory acquired in fiscal 2011 which was written-up to fair value. Hematology segment gross margin percentage for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 increased slightly from the comparable prior-year period as a result of changes in product mix.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 decreased $445,000 (4.1%) from the same prior-year period. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expense resulted from a decrease in profit sharing expense of $685,000 from the comparable prior-year quarter.

Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses were composed of the following (in thousands):

                                                                  Quarter Ended
                                                                  September 30,
                                                                2012         2011
  Biotechnology                                               $  9,140     $  9,470
  Hematology                                                       419          480
  Unallocated corporate expenses                                   769          823

  Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses   $ 10,328     $ 10,773

Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses were composed of the following (in thousands):

                                                             Quarter Ended
                                                             September 30,
                                                           2012        2011
         Biotechnology                                    $ 7,259     $ 6,469
         Hematology                                           193         198

         Consolidated research and development expenses   $ 7,452     $ 6,667

Research and development expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 increased $785,000 (11.8%) from the same prior-year period. The increase was mainly due to increases in personnel and supply costs associated with the ongoing development and release of new high-quality biotechnology products.

Other non-operating expense, net

Other non-operating expense, net, consists mainly of foreign currency transaction gains and losses, rental income, building expenses related to rental property, and the Company's share of losses by equity method investees. Amounts were as follows (in thousands):

                                                           Quarter Ended
                                                           September 30,
                                                         2012         2011
         Foreign currency gains (losses)                $  (78 )    $   (524 )
         Rental income                                     170           134
         Building expenses related to rental property     (529 )        (587 )
         Losses by equity method investees                 (41 )        (198 )

         Other non-operating expense, net               $ (478 )    $ (1,175 )

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

At September 30, 2012, cash and cash equivalents and available-for-sale investments were $405 million compared to $413 million at June 30, 2012. Included in available-for-sale-investments at September 30, 2012 was the fair value of the Company's investment in ChemoCentryx, Inc. (CCXI) of $73.5 million. The fair value of the Company's CCXI investment at June 30, 2012 was $94.7 million.

At September 30, 2012, approximately 61%, 36%, and 3% of the Company's cash and cash equivalents of $131 million are located in the U.S., United Kingdom and China, respectively. At September 30, 2012, approximately 96% of the Company's available-for-sale investment accounts are located in the U.S., with the remaining 4% in China. The Company has either paid U.S. income taxes on its undistributed foreign earnings or intends to indefinitely reinvest the undistributed earnings in the foreign operations.

The Company believes it can meet its cash and working capital requirements, facility expansion and capital addition needs and share repurchase, cash dividend, investment and acquisition strategies for at least the next twelve months through currently available funds, cash generated from operations and maturities or sales of available-for-sale investments.

Cash flows from operating activities

The Company generated cash of $29.3 million from operating activities in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 compared to $34.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2012. The decrease from the prior year was primarily due to decreased net earnings for the quarter and changes in receivable and accounts payable and income taxes payable as a result of the timing of receipts and payments.

Cash flows from investing activities

During the quarter ended September 30, 2012, the Company purchased $21.1 million and had sales or maturities of $17.8 million of available-for-sale investments. During the quarter ended September 30, 2011, the Company purchased $44.3 million and had sales or maturities of $35.0 million of available-for-sale investments. The Company's investment policy is to place excess cash in municipal and corporate bonds and other investments with maturities of less than three years. The objective of this policy is to obtain the highest possible return while minimizing risk and keeping the funds accessible.

Capital expenditures for fixed assets for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 and 2012 were $2.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Included in capital expenditures for the first quarters of fiscal 2013 and 2012 was $2.0 million and $663,000, respectively, related to expansion and remodeling of office and laboratory space at the Company's Minneapolis facility. The remaining capital additions were mainly for laboratory and computer equipment. Capital expenditures in the remainder of fiscal 2013 are expected to be approximately $26.2 million including $20 million related to expansion space in Minneapolis and the purchase of land and construction of a new facility in the United Kingdom, both of which are not expected to be completed until fiscal 2014. Capital expenditures are expected to be financed through currently available funds and cash generated from operating activities.

Cash flows from financing activities

During the first quarter of fiscal 2013 and 2012, the Company paid cash dividends of $10.3 million and $10.0 million, respectively, to all common shareholders. On October 25, 2012, the Company announced the payment of a $0.30 per share cash dividend. The dividend of approximately $11.0 million will be payable November 19, 2012 to all common shareholders of record on November 5, 2012.

Cash of $136,000 and $45,000 was received during the quarters ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, from the exercise of stock options. The Company also recognized excess tax benefits from stock option exercises of $1,000 and $7,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2013 and 2012, the Company repurchased 8,324 and 13,140 shares of common stock for its employee stock bonus plans at a cost of $573,000 and $907,000, respectively.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company repurchased and retired 149,860 shares of common stock at a market value of $10.7 million. The Company did not repurchase any shares during the first quarter of fiscal 2013.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

There were no material changes outside the ordinary course of business in the Company's contractual obligations during the quarter ended September 30, 2012.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company's significant accounting policies are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2012 and are incorporated herein by reference. The application of certain of these policies requires judgments and estimates that can affect the results of operations and financial position of the Company. Judgments and estimates are used for, but not limited to, valuation of available-for-sale investments, inventory valuation and allowances, valuation of intangible assets and goodwill and valuation of investments in unconsolidated entities. There have been no significant changes in estimates in fiscal 2013 that would require disclosure. There have been no changes to the Company's policies in fiscal 2013.

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

This quarterly report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include those regarding the Company's expectations as to the effect of changes to accounting policies, the amount of capital expenditures for the remainder of the fiscal year, the timeframe for completing facility improvements in the U.S. and the U.K., the source of funding for capital expenditure requirements, the sufficiency of currently available funds for meeting the Company's needs, and the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual results of operations. The following important factors, among others, have affected and, in the future, could affect the Company's actual results: the introduction and acceptance of new products, general economic conditions, increased competition, the reliance on internal manufacturing and related operations, the impact of currency exchange rate fluctuations, economic instability in Eurozone countries, the recruitment and retention of qualified personnel, the impact of governmental regulation, maintenance of intellectual property rights, credit risk and fluctuation in the market value of the Company's investment portfolio, unseen delays and expenses related to facility improvements and the success of financing efforts by companies in which the Company has invested. For additional information concerning such factors, see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2012 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.