OraSure Technologies to Open NASDAQ Stock Market on December 1, 2003 in Honor of World AIDS Day

BETHLEHEM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 26, 2003--OraSure Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq NM:OSUR), the market leader in oral fluid diagnostics, announced today that in recognition of World AIDS Day, OraSure Technologies will open the NASDAQ Stock Market on Monday, December 1, 2003.

OraSure's President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Gausling will preside over the NASDAQ Market Open ceremony beginning at 9:20 a.m.

OraSure has been recognized as a leader in HIV testing with the introduction of its OraQuick(R) Rapid HIV-1 Antibody Test, the first FDA-approved, point-of-care test designed to detect antibodies to HIV-1 in fingerstick and venipuncture whole blood specimens within approximately 20 minutes. In addition, OraSure has received a CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988) waiver for this test, thereby permitting the test to be used in more than 180,000 sites in the United States, such as outreach clinics, community-based organizations and physicians' offices.

In support of its four-part HIV prevention strategy announced on April 17, 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") announced the bulk purchase of 250,000 OraQuick(R) tests on June 26, 2003, to help launch its testing initiative. Numerous sites have already received allocations of OraQuick(R) tests as part of this nationwide CDC initiative, several of which are conducting special rapid testing events with OraQuick on December 1, 2003, in recognition of World AIDS Day.

Video Satellite Feeds Available on December 1

Please Note: "Live" coverage of the NASDAQ Stock Market opening ceremony on Monday, December 1, from 9:20 a.m. to 9:35 a.m. EDT is available via satellite on Galaxy 4R/Transponder 20. The downlink frequency is 4100 vertical; audio: 6.2/6.8. The feed can also be found on Waterfront fiber 1623.

In addition, World AIDS Day interview footage and b-roll of the OraQuick test will be available via satellite on Monday, December 1 at 2:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. EST via satellite on the following coordinates:

    Ku Band - Analog (in the clear)

    SBS 6, Transponder 19 Upper

    Downlink Frequency: 12178

    Downlink Polarity: Horizontal

    Audio: 6.2 and 6.8

    About OraSure Technologies

OraSure Technologies develops, manufactures and markets oral fluid specimen collection devices using proprietary oral fluid technologies, diagnostic products including immunoassays and other in vitro diagnostic tests, and other medical devices. These products are sold in the United States as well as internationally to various clinical laboratories, hospitals, clinics, community-based organizations and other public health organizations, distributors, government agencies, physicians' offices, and commercial and industrial entities.

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-1. 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.

Important Information

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including with respect to sales, markets and products. Actual results could be significantly different. Factors that could affect results include the ability to market products; impact of competitors, competing products and technology changes; ability to develop, commercialize and market new products; market acceptance of oral fluid testing products and up-converting phosphor technology products; ability to fund research and development and other projects and operations; ability to maintain new or existing product distribution channels (including our ability to implement a direct sales effort or other alternative distribution for OraQuick(R)); reliance on sole supply sources for critical product components; availability of related products produced by third parties; ability to obtain and timing of obtaining necessary regulatory approvals; ability to comply with applicable regulatory requirements; history of losses and ability to achieve sustained profitability; volatility of our stock price; uncertainty relating to patent protection and potential patent infringement claims; ability to obtain licenses to patents (including HIV-2 patents) or other technology; ability to enter into international manufacturing agreements; obstacles to international marketing and manufacturing of products; ability to sell products internationally; loss or impairment of sources of capital; ability to meet financial covenants in agreements with financial institutions; ability to retain qualified personnel; exposure to product liability and other types of litigation (including the outcome of our dispute with Abbott Laboratories); changes in international, federal or state laws and regulations; changes in relationships with strategic partners and reliance on strategic partners for the performance of critical activities under collaborative arrangements; changes in accounting practices or interpretation of accounting requirements; customer consolidations and inventory practices; equipment failures and ability to obtain needed raw materials and components; the impact of terrorist attacks and civil unrest; ability to complete consolidation or restructuring activities; ability to identify, complete and realize the full benefits of potential acquisitions; and general political, business and economic conditions. These and other factors are discussed more fully in the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings of OraSure Technologies, including its registration statements, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and its other filings with the SEC. 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 these statements.

    CONTACT: OraSure Technologies, Inc.
             Investor Contact:
             Ronald H. Spair, 610-882-1820
             Investorinfo@orasure.com
             www.orasure.com
                 or
             Media Contact:
             William F. Bruckner, 610-882-1820
             wbruckner@orasure.com

    SOURCE: OraSure Technologies, Inc.