Business Wire - July 10, 2000

Beginning at a reception held the evening of July 8, and attended by His Excellency Jacob Zuma, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa and Chairman of the Presidential Council on AIDS, His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini and other high ranking officials of the South African government, Epitope executives presented information related to the performance of the Company's newest product, OraQuick HIV-1/2. The Company released recent clinical data and discussed the advantages of this portable, non-invasive oral fluid test for HIV 1 and 2 antibodies, which provides highly accurate results in about 20 minutes.

In demonstration of its commitment to helping the victims of HIV/AIDS, Epitope presented an initial contribution to the Orphans of AIDS charity and committed to ongoing funding from sales of OraQuick. Epitope is also donating 5000 OraQuick HIV-1/2 devices to a program sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company addressing Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV.

In clinical studies performed to date on multiple specimen types covering approximately 950 HIV-positive and 1700 HIV-negative subjects, test sensitivity has been 100% and specificity has been 99.9%. OraQuick will now be evaluated in the next phase of testing in Los Angeles by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with 6000 subjects at high risk for HIV exposure. Additional Company-sponsored testing has already started in Thailand, and will soon begin in the Ivory Coast and Uganda in collaboration with prestigious research organizations. Clinical studies will also commence at over 20 sites in the U.S. during the third quarter of 2000. The international studies are expected to further demonstrate the wide applicability and effectiveness of OraQuick HIV-1/2 in developing countries where various subtypes of HIV exist, while the U.S. studies will be used to establish the necessary data for regulatory submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"Early detection of HIV is the first step in an effective AIDS prevention and treatment program." said Robert D. Thompson, president and chief executive officer of Epitope. "Unfortunately, prevailing testing methodologies require a venipuncture or finger-stick to collect a sample for analysis. People in many cultures are averse to needles. As a result, a large number of at-risk individuals go untested. Additionally, the time lag between sample collection and the availability of test results prevents immediate counseling of infected individuals. Consequently, as many as 20-40% of patients who are tested do not actually receive their test results. By bringing non-invasive oral fluid testing to the point of care with laboratory-quality results in 20 minutes, OraQuick HIV-1/2 addresses these barriers to effective screening programs. Our company feels that we have the best product available for rapid HIV testing in the international marketplace, and we have enjoyed an excellent reception in virtually all the geographies we have targeted."

In addition to information presented at the July 8 reception, Epitope's introduction of OraQuick HIV-1/2 at the Conference includes the following:

-- A Poster Presentation on July 10 lead-authored by Ronald W. Mink, Ph.D., Epitope's director of product development, presenting testing data on 63 HIV-1 positive and 107 HIV-negative volunteers using the oral fluid protocol, with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Of those subjects, 49 HIV-1 positive and 56 HIV-negative volunteers were also tested using the whole blood protocol, also with 100% sensitivity and specificity.

-- A 90-second video featuring OraQuick HIV-1/2 as "the newest tool in the global struggle against HIV" airing on all international South African Airways flights during the month of July.

-- A 90-second Video News Release on OraQuick HIV-1/2 and the need for rapid HIV testing. The release will be made available to approximately 900 television stations worldwide (during the week of the conference).

-- A Company Booth (#76) in the Conference exhibitor showcase area staffed by Epitope executives and featuring "The Wait is Over" graphics, a six-minute corporate video, OraQuick HIV-1/2 product literature, product demonstrations and additional sales-support collateral.

-- Numerous in-person Meetings with pharmaceutical executives, government officials and key AIDS/HIV figures.

OraQuick HIV-1/2 is a visually read, qualitative, in vitro immunoassay that detects antibodies to HIV (types 1 or 2) present in oral fluid, whole blood, serum or plasma. To use OraQuick HIV-1/2, the test subject gently swabs his/her upper and lower outer gums with the flat pad end of the device. The device then is placed into a vial containing developer solution. Alternatively, a whole blood, serum or plasma specimen can be immersed into the developer solution and swirled to mix; the OraQuick HIV-1/2 device is then placed into the developer solution. After about 20 minutes, a colored line appears in the results window in the "C" or "control" area to show the test has run properly, and for positive results another line appears in the "T" or "test" area. No accessories are required to run the oral fluid test, and the product can be stored at room temperature.

In April 2000 the Company filed an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) with the FDA for HIV testing using OraQuick HIV-1/2. The IDE application calls for testing about 7,000 samples at approximately 20 sites in the U.S. to provide data to support an application to the FDA for approval to sell OraQuick HIV-1/2 in the U.S. market. The Company received IDE approval on June 23, 2000 and plans to initiate clinical trials during third quarter 2000. Epitope expects to file a premarket approval application in January 2001 for HIV-1/2 screening using OraQuick on oral fluid, whole blood, serum or plasma samples.

The XIII International AIDS Conference held July 9-14 in Durban, South Africa is the world's premier conference on AIDS/HIV, with attendance expected to exceed 12,000. Participants include leading AIDS/HIV scientists and clinicians, healthcare workers, public health agencies, people with AIDS, politicians, AIDS non-governmental organizations and AIDS service organizations from around the world.

Epitope, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets medical devices and diagnostic products utilizing its proprietary oral fluid technologies for sale to public- and private-sector clients worldwide. The Company's primary focus is on the detection of HIV antibodies, with emphasis in the U.S. life insurance and global public health markets, and on the use of oral fluid testing for the detection of drugs of abuse and other analytes. In May 2000 the Company announced its intention to merge with the privately held STC Technologies, Inc. Epitope has filed an S-4 Registration statement related to this merger with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the name OraSure Technologies, Inc. Copies of this document may be obtained at no charge from the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Non-functional samples of the OraQuick HIV-1/2 test are available upon request. Also available is a video featuring an OraQuick HIV-1/2 product demonstration and Company testimonials.

Statements in this press release about future events or performance are forward-looking statements. Actual results could be significantly different from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect results include loss of key personnel; failure to comply with regulations of the FDA or other regulatory agencies; obstacles to marketing of the Company's products; loss or impairment of sources of capital; ability of the Company to develop product distribution channels; ability of the Company to develop new products; development of competing products; market acceptance of oral fluid testing products; and changes in international, federal or state laws or regulations. Although forward-looking statements help to provide complete information about the Company, readers should keep in mind that forward-looking statements are much less reliable than historical information.

CONTACT: OraSure Technologies, Inc. Financial/Investors Ronald H. Spair, 610/882-1820 Investorinfo@orasure.com http://www.orasure.com or Media William E. Bruckner, 610/882-1820
000710
BW000701

Copyright © 2000 - 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 made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, iMetrikus, Inc., John M. Lloyd Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2000. 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, 2000. 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. .