Business Wire - July 8, 2002

The company said that preliminary results of an internally-conducted study for the rapid urine HIV-1 test have yielded 100 percent specificity and 100 percent sensitivity. These findings are the result of testing a small number of samples and additional studies with larger sample numbers are planned. Once the larger evaluation is completed the company plans to produce pilot lots for validation studies.

"Calypte's rapid urine HIV test combines the advantages of the current generation of rapid blood HIV tests, including simplicity of use and speed of results, with the benefits of currently approved urine testing, such as low cost and easy specimen collection, no HIV risk to medical personnel or patients, and use of a specimen that can be retested and/or confirmed for HIV, or for other disease conditions," stated Dr. Toby Gottfried, Calypte's Chief Science Officer.

"We plan to make this new rapid HIV test available as soon as practicable in third world countries where the need is the greatest, while we complete the studies necessary for FDA approval," stated Nancy Katz, Calypte's Chief Executive Officer. "We feel our bloodless test is ideal for those regions where there is reluctance to submit to blood drawing, limited access to clinical laboratory facilities, and where it is also virtually impossible to get those who have been tested to return for a second visit. Our rapid urine test is completely painless, safe and fast."

The XIV International AIDS Conference will take place in Barcelona, Spain July 7-12, 2002. The conference, which is held every two years in a different location, seeks to facilitate interchange between scientists, activists, policy makers, people living with HIV/AIDS, and people working at the program level in all areas of knowledge related to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This year a record number 10,441 scientific abstracts were submitted for review, and 6,234 were ultimately selected for inclusion in the official conference proceedings. Calypte's poster ("Feasibility of a rapid immunochromatography test format for the detection of antibodies to HIV-1 in urine") will be presented Tuesday, July 9 from 12:00-2:00 pm at the Palacio 4 of the Fira of Barcelona. Representatives from Calypte will also be available at Booth #B11 throughout the Conference.

About Calypte Biomedical:

Calypte Biomedical Corporation headquartered in Alameda, California, is a public healthcare company dedicated to the development and commercialization of urine-based diagnostic products and services for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1), sexually transmitted diseases and other infectious diseases. Calypte's tests include the screening EIA and supplemental Western Blot tests, the only two FDA-approved HIV-1 antibody tests that can be used on urine samples. When compared with existing blood-based tests, our testing algorithms are non-invasive, easier to use, less expensive and have significantly less risk than blood-based testing, and they have 99.7% sensitivity in subjects previously identified as HIV-1 infected and 100% specificity in subjects at low risk when combined with the urine-based Western Blot supplemental test. The company believes that accurate, non-invasive urine-based testing methods for HIV and other infectious diseases may make important contributions to public health by helping to foster an environment in which testing may be done safely, economically, and painlessly. Calypte markets its products in countries worldwide through international distributors and strategic partners.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Such statements reflect management's current views, are based on certain assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results, events, or performance may differ materially from the above forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors, and will be dependent upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, our ability to obtain additional financing and access funds from our existing financing arrangements that will allow us to continue our current and future operations and whether demand for our product and testing service in domestic and international markets will continue to expand. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard to these forward-looking statements or the occurrence of unanticipated events. Factors that may impact the Company's success are more fully disclosed in the Company's most recent public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and its subsequent filings with the SEC.

CONTACT: Sitrick And Company Joe Bunning, 310/788-2850

SOURCE: Calypte Biomedical Corporation

020708
BW020709

Copyright © 2002 - Business Wire. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Business Wire, Permissions Desk, Business Wire, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036; Tel: (212) 575-8822; FAX: (212) 575-1854. http://www.businesswire.com.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .