CDC to Purchase $2.3 Million Worth of OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Tests; Company Updates Financial Guidance for 2005

BETHLEHEM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 22, 2004--OraSure Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSUR), the market leader in oral fluid diagnostics, announced today that The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") will purchase approximately $2.3 million of the Company's OraQuick(R) ADVANCE(TM) Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Tests. The CDC purchase is expected to be fulfilled by September 30, 2005.

This is the first bulk purchase of the OraQuick(R) ADVANCE(TM) test. Two other bulk purchases of the Company's OraQuick(R) Rapid HIV-1 Antibody test totaling $4 million were previously made by the CDC in June and December of 2003. The CDC is purchasing the OraQuick(R) ADVANCE(TM) tests for further distribution to and use by state health departments, clinics and other entities in the public health sector in the United States.

"We are extremely grateful for the CDC's continuing support of rapid HIV testing and are very pleased to announce this procurement of our new OraQuick(R) ADVANCE(TM) test," said Douglas A. Michels, President and CEO of OraSure Technologies. "We believe our OraQuick(R) ADVANCE(TM) test is the most versatile and comprehensive rapid HIV test available, and OraSure is committed to working with the CDC and other government and state agencies to implement rapid HIV testing on a large scale across the country."

"With today's third bulk purchase of OraSure's rapid HIV test by the CDC, I am optimistic that expanded distribution of the test will result in increased identification of infected individuals, a critical step in addressing the significant public health problems that the spread of HIV/AIDS poses for our country," said Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference. "OraSure's rapid HIV test plays 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."

The OraQuick(R) ADVANCE(TM) Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test, manufactured and sold by OraSure Technologies, is the first and only U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") approved and CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments Act of 1988) waived rapid, point-of-care test that can detect antibodies to both HIV-1 and HIV-2 in 20 minutes, using oral fluid, finger-stick or venipuncture whole blood and plasma specimens.

Updated Financial Guidance for 2005

As previously announced, OraSure expects total revenues for 2005 to increase by 25% over 2004 levels, to approximately $67.5 million. In addition, OraSure expects to achieve full-year profitability for 2005, with net income ranging from $0.06 to $0.08 per share.

About OraSure Technologies

OraSure Technologies develops, manufactures and markets oral fluid specimen collection devices and tests and other diagnostic products using its proprietary technologies, including immunoassays and other in vitro diagnostic tests and other medical devices. These products are sold in the United States and certain foreign countries to clinical laboratories, hospitals, clinics, community-based organizations and other public health organizations, distributors, government agencies, physicians' offices, and commercial and industrial entities. For more information on the Company, please visit www.orasure.com.

Important Information

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including with respect to revenues, net income 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; 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; availability of licenses to 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; 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, 2003, 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:
             Zer0 to 5ive
             Ron Ticho, 610-360-0205
             rticho@orasure.com
             or
             Jennifer Moritz, 917-748-4006
             jmoritz@0to5.com

    SOURCE: OraSure Technologies, Inc.