CDC Commits Additional $2 Million for Purchase of OraQuick Rapid HIV-1 Antibody Tests

BETHLEHEM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 1, 2003--OraSure Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq NM:OSUR), the market leader in oral fluid diagnostics, announced today that The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") has committed to purchase an additional 250,000 OraQuick(R) Rapid HIV-1 Antibody Tests for a total of $2 million. The CDC purchase is expected to be fulfilled by September 1, 2004, and further supports its four-part HIV prevention strategy, which was previously announced on April 17, 2003.

This is the second bulk purchase of OraQuick(R) tests made by the CDC and is clearly indicative of the early success of this initiative. The first purchase of 250,000 tests for $2 million was announced on June 26, 2003.

Today's announcement was made by OraSure's President and Chief Executive Officer, Mike Gausling, who presided over the NASDAQ Stock Market Open today in recognition of World AIDS Day. The market open ceremony can be viewed online at http://www.nasdaq.com/reference/marketsite_about.stm.

"We are extremely grateful for the CDC's continuing support of rapid testing and are pleased to announce this additional procurement of OraQuick(R) on World AIDS Day," said Mike Gausling, President and Chief Executive Officer of OraSure Technologies. "With this purchase, the Administration has again demonstrated its leadership in promoting rapid HIV testing as an important component in its comprehensive HIV prevention strategy. I would especially like to thank U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum for their support of OraSure and commitment to combating the global AIDS crisis."

"It is particularly important to recognize the need for increased vigilance against the spread of HIV, and to reaffirm the Administration's commitment to fighting the virus through all possible means," said Senator Arlen Specter. "OraSure's development of the OraQuick(R) test is a giant step in combating the global AIDS crisis. With this test, people will be able to more easily and efficiently screen for HIV, which will help prevent those infected from passing the virus to others and allow them to more effectively treat their disease."

"Clearly, one of the keys to addressing the significant public health problems that the spread of HIV/AIDS poses for our country and the rest of the world is first identification of infected populations, and then ongoing treatment," said Senator Rick Santorum. "OraSure's ground-breaking rapid HIV test can play an important role in complementing our public health strategies for research, prevention initiatives and efforts to expand access to quality health care and services for those who need them."

OraQuick(R) is a rapid, point-of-care test designed to detect antibodies to HIV-1 within 20 minutes. OraSure has FDA approval of the OraQuick(R) device to test finger-stick and venipuncture whole blood specimens for antibodies to HIV-1. 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.

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(R) test will be available via satellite on Monday, December 1 at 2 p.m. EDT via satellite on Telstar 4C/Transponder 10, D/L Frequency: 3900 (V).

In addition, World AIDS Day interview footage and b-roll of the OraQuick(R) 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.