OraSure and SSL International to Launch Over-the-Counter Cryosurgical Wart Treatment Product in Europe, Australia and New Zealand; OraSure Increases Financial Guidance; SSL International to Distribute Product Under the Scholl Brand

BETHLEHEM, Pa., Jun 02, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- OraSure Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSUR) announced today the execution of an exclusive agreement with SSL International plc (LSE:SSL), under which OraSure will manufacture and supply, and SSL will distribute, the Company's cryosurgical wart removal product in the over-the-counter ("OTC") footcare market in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The product will be manufactured and sold under SSL International's Scholl and Dr. Scholl trademarks, and is expected to be made initially available for retail purchase in pharmacies and retail outlets in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy in the fall of 2005 and in other countries outside the Americas (i.e., North America, South America and Central America) beginning in early 2006.

"After the great success of our OTC cryosurgical product here in the U.S. and many years of successfully selling a similar cryosurgical wart removal system for professional use under our Histofreezer(R) trade name, we are pleased to partner with SSL International to make the product available to the consumer market in other parts of the world," said Douglas A. Michels, President and CEO of OraSure Technologies. "Over the past ten years, more than 65 million wart treatments have been performed by physicians with our Histofreezer(R) cryosurgical wart removal product. We believe that expanding into the global OTC market is logical and SSL International, with its family of Scholl products, is the ideal partner to distribute a Scholl wart freeze product in the European consumer marketplace."

"The Scholl brand is synonymous with quality footcare products in more than 70 countries throughout the world, and we take great pride in bringing the most recent advancements in personal care to our customers," said Chris Bunniss, Marketing and Innovation Director for SSL International. "There is a large market demand for an over-the-counter footcare cryosurgical product in the European and Australian markets, and we are thrilled to be able to incorporate the Scholl wart freeze product into our extensive line of personal care products to help meet this need."

The Scholl wart freeze product will consist of a small aerosol canister containing a refrigerant, and a package of 12 foam buds attached to hollow tube applicators. In order to treat a common or plantar wart, the foam bud applicator is inserted into the nozzle of the canister, refrigerant is dispersed in order to freeze the foam bud and the bud is then applied to the affected area in order to freeze the wart.

Updated Financial Guidance

Primarily as a result of the new agreement with SSL International, OraSure now anticipates revenues for the full year 2005 to reach $70.0 million and net income for the year to be approximately $0.12 to $0.14 per share.

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 HIV. In addition, the Company supplies oral-fluid testing solutions for drugs of abuse testing. For more information on the Company, please go to http://www.orasure.com.

About SSL International plc

SSL International plc is a manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products worldwide. The product portfolio includes Scholl and Durex, both market-leading global brands, as well as a diverse range of locally owned consumer healthcare brands.

SSL employs around 4,500 people in 35 countries, and holds rights to the Scholl and Dr. Scholl brands in all countries outside the Americas.

For more information on SSL International plc, Scholl, Durex and other brands, please go to http://www.ssl-international.com.

Important Information About OraSure Technologies

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including with respect to products, sales, revenues, net income and markets. 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; ability to obtain 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, 2004, 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.

SOURCE: OraSure Technologies, Inc.

OraSure Technologies, Inc.
Investor Contact:
Ronald H. Spair, 610-882-1820
Investorinfo@orasure.com
or
Media Contacts:
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