OraSure Technologies Announces New Intercept Drug Testing Partner

BETHLEHEM, Penn.--(BW HealthWire)--May 16, 2001-- Deal Marks Growing Acceptance of Oral Fluid Drug Testing in Criminal Justice and Drug Rehabilitation Markets

OraSure Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:OSUR) today announced that it has signed an agreement with Comprehensive Toxicology Services (CTS) of Tacoma, Washington, for its Intercept(TM) Oral Fluid Drug Testing Service.

The account is expected to reach over $750,000 in annual sales for OraSure Technologies.

The Intercept oral fluid drug test service has an eight-drug panel (marijuana, cocaine, opiates, PCP, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and methadone) and enables 24 hour reporting on test results. OraSure will supply CTS with a complete testing service consisting of laboratory equipment, oral fluid collection devices and assays, and expects to have the service available by mid-June, 2001.

Oral fluid testing offers several unique advantages to the drug rehabilitation and criminal justice markets. Because collections will occur in the presence of counselors and parole officers, these individuals will now spend more time with their clients. As a result, oral fluid drug testing can be used as a "clinical tool" to positively impact program outcomes. Additionally, Intercept's easy-to-administer collection device eliminates the embarrassment and inconvenience of same gender supervision involved with urine collection, and is ideal for field collections where portability is a key issue.

"OraSure is pleased to be working with CTS, which has an excellent reputation for innovation and customer service. Intercept will offer CTS clients a cost-effective and user-friendly collection method. It creates a very efficient model for drug testing in the drug rehabilitation and criminal justice markets," said Robert D. Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of OraSure Technologies.

Founded in 1987, CTS has clients across the U.S. and has developed proprietary software to integrate drug testing results into case management activities. CTS will provide both screening and in-house confirmation of oral fluid specimens and will sponsor on-going research to detail the impact of this new testing model on drug treatment program outcomes.

Rick Branchflower, Chief Executive Officer of CTS, stated, "Meeting customer objectives is of prime importance to CTS. We believe that our relationship with OraSure is strategic and positions both of our companies to offer a range of complimentary services that aid our customers in promoting recovery from drug abuse. The ease of use and the convenience of oral fluid collection make it an especially attractive alternative."

The domestic market for drugs-of-abuse testing is estimated at approximately $1.5 billion, involving over 42 million specimens per year. OraSure will continue to market to the drug rehabilitation and criminal justice markets, which represent substantial opportunities for oral fluid drug testing. About OraSure Technologies

OraSure Technologies, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets medical devices and diagnostic products for use by public- and private-sector clients, clinical laboratories, physicians' offices and workplace testing. OraSure Technologies is the leading supplier of oral fluid collection devices and assays to the life insurance industry and public health markets for the detection of antibodies to HIV. In addition, the company supplies oral fluid testing solutions for drugs-of-abuse testing. For more information on the company, please go to www.orasure.com. About CTS

Comprehensive Toxicology Services provides substance abuse testing services, treatment management systems and support services to promote detection and recovery from drug/alcohol abuse. CTS's proprietary software, dedicated personnel, and unique mission allow it to achieve very high levels of efficiency while maintaining excellent quality and custom service. CTS's mission is to promote recovery of the whole person from the causes of substance abuse by leading in the innovative development of; it's employees, substance abuse testing, information services, related support services, relationships and strategic partnerships. CTS was founded to support Footsteps Institute, a nonprofit organization that offers support, service, and hope to those suffering from rare diseases. For more information about CTS, please go to www.comtox.com.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements including with respect to revenues, product availability and markets. Actual results could be significantly different. Factors that could affect results include ability to market products; impact of competitors, competing products and technology changes; failure to comply with regulations of the FDA or other regulatory agencies; loss or impairment of sources of capital; ability to develop product distribution channels; ability to develop new products; market acceptance of oral fluid testing products; changes in international, federal or state laws or regulations; exposure to product liability or other types of litigation; changes in relationships with strategic partners and reliance on strategic partners for the performance of critical activities under collaborative arrangements; equipment failures and ability to obtain needed raw materials and other components; and general business and economic conditions. These factors are discussed more fully in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings of OraSure Technologies, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2000. Although forward-looking statements help to provide complete information about future prospects, readers should keep in mind that forward-looking statements may not be reliable. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and OraSure Technologies undertakes no duty to update those statements.