Business Wire - December 10, 2002

CHN is a not-for-profit organization in New York City that oversees a network of nine health care centers and three mobile vans, which reach over 60,000 individuals and their families annually. The centers are located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.

"We are very excited about the opportunity to work with Calypte Biomedical and to offer the urine HIV tests as an option to our clients," said Dr. Freddy Molano, Director of HIV Clinical Programs at CHN. "Our organization is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and promoting health in our communities. Counseling and testing are important elements of the HIV services that we provide. Expanding the choice of HIV testing options to include urine testing will lead to increased awareness for HIV testing and ultimately more people volunteering to be tested and knowing their status," added Dr. Molano.

"The establishment of the relationship with CHN further validates the business plan that is being implemented for our domestic business," said Anthony Cataldo, Calypte's Chairman.

Nancy Katz, President and CEO of Calypte stated, "the support of urine testing by organizations of the caliber of CHN further demonstrates the value of offering a completely non-invasive, safe and cost effective option with none of the risks associated with blood testing."

"Calypte is honored that CHN has elected to include our HIV urine test on their testing menu," said Pamela South, Calypte's Director, U.S. Sales and Marketing. "It is truly a pleasure to have the chance to work with someone like Dr. Molano who is so passionate about his commitment to working to improve the lives of people in the community," added Ms. South.

It is that passion that led Dr. Molano, who has been involved in counseling and testing for over 13 years, to acknowledge World AIDS Day this year with a special effort. He plans to start a "living" quilt to recognize those who are HIV/AIDS survivors. "While I believe it is important to remember those who have lost their lives to this terrible disease, there are many positive stories about those who are living productive and meaningful lives even though they have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and we want to celebrate those survivors," said Dr. Molano.

About Community Healthcare Network

Community Healthcare Network (CHN) is a not-for-profit organization that provides comprehensive community-based primary care, mental health care and social services for low-income people in underserved communities throughout New York City. Although it began more than 20 years ago as an agency linking family planning centers, today CHN provides reproductive health care and general medical care to individuals and families.

CHN is comprised of community-based health centers operating in medically underserved neighborhoods throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. CHN also operates three medical mobile units offering urgently needed health services to those unable to visit a health center. CHN serves more than 60,000 individuals a year who would otherwise have little or no access to the health care they require. Many are uninsured or underinsured immigrants, the working poor and the homeless, and 90 percent live at or below the federal poverty level. Most are African-American, Asian-American, Caribbean or Latino.

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, as well as an FDA-approved serum HIV-1 antibody Western Blot 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. Refer to current product package inserts for complete information on product performance characteristics.

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 and 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/A (No.1) for the year ended December 31, 2001 and its subsequent filings with the SEC.

CONTACT: Calypte Biomedical

Pamela South, 510/749-5100, psouth@calypte.com

or

Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates

Brendan Lahiff/Kirsten Chapman, 415/433-3777 (IR), brendan@lhai-sf.com

SOURCE: Calypte Biomedical

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