SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant     x

Filed by a party other than the Registrant     ¨

Check the appropriate box:

¨   Preliminary Proxy Statement ¨    Definitive Proxy Statement x    Definitive Additional Materials ¨    Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12				¨    Confidential, For Use of the Commission         Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

Alere Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

x No fee required.

¨ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

(5) Total fee paid:

¨ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:

¨ Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number of the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

(1) Amount previously paid:

(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

(3) Filing Party:

(4) Date Filed:

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						Vote by Internet   •   Go to www.envisionreports.com/ALR •   Or scan the QR code with your smartphone •   Follow the steps outlined on the secure website

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the

Alere Inc. Stockholder Meeting to be Held on July 11, 2012

Under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, you are receiving this notice that the proxy materials for the annual stockholders’ meeting are available on the Internet. Follow the instructions below to view the materials and vote online or request a copy. The items to be voted on and location of the annual meeting are on the reverse side. Your vote is important!

This communication is not a form for voting and presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting. The proxy statement, form of proxy and annual report to stockholders are available at:

 

		www.envisionreports.com/ALR

 

		Easy Online Access — A Convenient Way to View Proxy Materials and Vote   When you go online to view materials, you can also vote your shares.   Step 1: Go to www.envisionreports.com/ALR to view the materials.   Step 2: Click on Cast Your Vote or Request Materials.   Step 3: Follow the instructions on the screen to log in.   Step 4: Make your selection as instructed on each screen to select delivery preferences and vote.

When you go online, you can also help the environment by consenting to receive electronic delivery of future materials.

 

 

 

		Obtaining a Copy of the Proxy Materials – If you want to receive a paper copy of these documents, you must request one. There is no charge to you for requesting a copy. Please make your request for a copy as instructed on the reverse side on or before July 2, 2012 to facilitate timely delivery.

 

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Stockholder Meeting Notice

Alere Inc.’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on July 11, 2012 at 12:30 P.M. at the Company’s Corporate Headquarters, 51 Sawyer Road, Suite 200, Waltham, MA 02453.

Please check the meeting material for any special requirements for meeting attendance. For meeting directions please call 781-647-3900.

Proposals to be voted on at the meeting are listed below along with the Board of Directors’ recommendations.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposals 2 – 6.

 

1.

Election of Carol R. Goldberg, James Roosevelt, Jr. and Ron Zwanziger as Class II Directors to serve until the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

2.

Approval of an amendment to Alere Inc.’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to declassify the Board of Directors.

 

3.

Approval of an increase to the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the Alere Inc. 2010 Stock Option and Incentive Plan by 2,000,000, from 3,153,663 to 5,153,663.

 

4.

Approval of the granting of options under our 2010 Stock Option and Incentive Plan to certain executive officers; provided that, even if this proposal is approved by our stockholders, we do not intend to implement this proposal unless Proposal 3 is also approved.

 

5.

Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2012.

 

6.

Approval, by non-binding vote, of executive compensation.

PLEASE NOTE – YOU CANNOT VOTE BY RETURNING THIS NOTICE. To vote your shares you must vote online or request a paper copy of the proxy materials to receive a proxy card. If you wish to attend and vote at the meeting, please bring this notice with you.

 

 

 

 

		Here’s how to order a copy of the proxy materials and select a future delivery preference:
		Paper copies: Current and future paper delivery requests can be submitted via the telephone, Internet or email options below.
		Email copies: Current and future email delivery requests must be submitted via the Internet following the instructions below. If you request an email copy of current materials you will receive an email with a link to the materials.
		PLEASE NOTE: You must use the number in the shaded bar on the reverse side when requesting a set of proxy materials.
		g		Internet – Go to www.envisionreports.com/ALR. Click Cast Your Vote or Request Materials. Follow the instructions to log in and order a copy of the current meeting materials and submit your preference for email or paper delivery of future meeting materials.
		g		Telephone – Call us free of charge at 1-866-641-4276 and follow the instructions to log in and order a paper copy of the materials by mail for the current meeting. You can also submit a preference to receive a paper copy for future meetings.
		g		Email – Send an email to investorvote@computershare.com with “Proxy Materials Alere Inc.” in the subject line. Include in the message your full name and address, plus the number located in the shaded bar on the reverse, and state in the email that you want a paper copy of current meeting materials. You can also state your preference to receive a paper copy for future meetings.
				To facilitate timely delivery, all requests for a paper copy of the proxy materials must be received by July 2, 2012.