Business Wire - June 30, 2003

-- Dr. Ronald Mink to Co-Lead Calypte's Rapid Business

Calypte Biomedical Corporation, the developer and marketer of the only two FDA approved HIV-1 antibody tests for use with urine samples, announced today changes in personnel assignments in its effort to develop rapid HIV assays for the U.S. and international markets.

Recent decisions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and other HIV Prevention agencies have clearly identified antibody testing as a key component of the effort to reduce the incidence of HIV infections both in the United States and worldwide. Further, the quick approval by FDA and acceptance of two blood rapid HIV-1 tests provide convincing evidence that rapid tests will be important tools in these programs.

Calypte Biomedical has rapid assays under development for the sensitive and specific detection of HIV antibodies that are present in both urine and whole blood of infected individuals. Calypte is committed to the rapid development and introduction of these tests into the worldwide market. To this end, Calypte has assembled an experienced and capable team of scientists to successfully complete this project. Leading the effort is Dr. J. Richard George, former Senior VP of Infectious Disease Research and Development at OraSure Technologies, Inc., and a 30-plus year veteran of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While at OraSure, Dr. George had oversight responsibility for the research and development of all infectious disease products (including its OraQuick HIV-1 rapid product), domestic and international research collaborations, and clinical trials for this rapid device. Dr. George stated, "I am excited and honored to be selected to direct the efforts of this skilled group of scientists to again produce an important test for containing the spread of HIV."

Co-leader for the project is Dr. Ronald W. Mink, former Director of Research and Development at OraSure Technology. Dr. Mink has 20-plus years of experience in the development and commercialization of rapid assays at such companies as Quidel and Carter Wallace. Dr. Mink was the inventor of the first OraQuick HIV-1 rapid prototypes (U.S. Patent 6,303,081). Dr. Mink supervised the OraQuick research and development effort and oversaw product transfer to production. Dr. Mink's skills and experience will contribute significantly to shortening the time for introduction of the Calypte rapid HIV tests.

When available, the rapid Calypte urine tests will provide non-invasive alternatives to blood and will enable Public Health Agencies to use testing algorithms composed of multiple rapid tests capable of providing a final test result in outreach settings.

"The experience that both Dr. George and Dr. Mink bring to the company with their proven track records of delivering rapid test technologies to market, along with our new President and COO, Jay Oyakawa, gives us a strong management team to position the company as a leader in Rapid HIV testing," said Anthony Cataldo, Executive Chairman of Calypte Biomedical.

Jay Oyakawa, President and COO of Calypte, stated, "In many settings both here in the United States as well as abroad, rapid tests offer some specific advantages over laboratory-based testing. We intend to capitalize on those advantages by developing rapid blood and urine tests that meet our customers' needs, both in terms of price and performance. We are dedicated to putting all of the necessary resources behind that goal. At the same time, we will continue to support all of those customers who have come to rely upon our original FDA-approved urine HIV-1 testing algorithm for batch-based testing."

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. 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. Current product labeling including specific product performance claims can be found at www.calypte.com.

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, 2002 and its subsequent filings with the SEC.

CONTACT: Calypte Biomedical Corporation

Jay Oyakawa, 510/749-5100, joyakawa@calypte.com

or

Sitrick And Company

Joe Bunning, 310/788-2850 (Investors), joe_bunning@sitrick.com

SOURCE: Calypte Biomedical Corporation

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