2012

June 1, 2012

DNA Genotek's Oragene®•DNA kit chosen by ScotlandsDNA for ancestry testing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – OTTAWA, ON, June 1, 2012. DNA Genotek, a subsidiary of OraSure Technologies Inc. and a leading provider of products for biological sample collection, stabilization and preparation, today announced that its' Oragene•DNA saliva collection kit has been selected by ScotlandsDNA, a new genetic testing company specializing in Scottish ancestry.

ScotlandsDNA aims to open a new perspective on the history of Scotland and the Scots by revealing the secrets written in DNA. Scotland is a nation of men and women of tremendously diverse origins – with strong Celtic, Viking, Norman and Anglo-Saxon influences. This richness can be characterized by DNA testing and using an aggregate of many individual stories, a genetic history of Scotland can be created.

Oragene•DNA is ideal for personal genomic testing applications like ancestry as it solves sample collection challenges inherent with traditional collection methods such as swabs and blood. Traditional methods are often too costly and invasive or do not provide adequate quantity and quality of DNA. Oragene•DNA also enables companies to send DNA collection kits via the mail for individuals to provide a DNA sample from the comfort and convenience of their home. Once the DNA sample is collected and returned by mail, the testing and analysis is carried out at the Queen Mary University of London Genome Centre. A custom-designed Illumina chip is used containing thousands of ancestry-informative markers spanning the Y chromosome, autosomes and mtDNA. What makes Scotlands DNA unique is that these markers have been carefully selected for Scottish ancestry providing resolution other companies can't match. The company plans regular updates of their genotyping platform.

"The non-invasive nature of the Oragene•DNA kit and the ease with which you can collect and mail samples makes it ideal for our business and will enable us to access many more people than otherwise possible," said Dr. Jim Wilson, Scientific Director, ScotlandsDNA. "From an Oragene saliva sample, our scientists can trace an individual's ancestry over many thousands of years and through new and developing technology, we can answer a fundamental question – where do we come from?"

"The decision by ScotlandsDNA to use Oragene•DNA is additional validation that our saliva collection kits are delivering leading performance for personal genomic applications," said Ian Curry, President, DNA Genotek Inc. "Oragene•DNA enables easy and non-invasive self-collection of saliva samples from large numbers of people and delivers high quality DNA. With the help of DNA collected using our product, ScotlandsDNA can open exciting new frontiers in Scotland's genetic landscape."

About DNA Genotek:

DNA Genotek Inc., a subsidiary of OraSure Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSUR), focuses on providing high-quality biological sample collection, stabilization and preparation products. The company's Oragene®•Dx product line is the only FDA 510(k) cleared saliva-based collection kit for in vitro diagnostic use. DNA Genotek also offers Research Use Only products to collect and preserve large amounts of DNA or RNA from saliva for use with humans, animals or livestock. The reliability and ease-of-use of the company's products have resulted in rapid adoption at top-tier health research institutions globally, including Harvard, Stanford, Cambridge, and Johns Hopkins. DNA Genotek markets its products worldwide and has a global customer base with thousands of customers in over 100 countries. For more information about DNA Genotek, visit www.dnagenotek.com

For information about this press release contact:

Shauna White
DNA Genotek
613-723-5757 ext. 307
shauna.white@dnagenotek.com

® Oragene is a registered trademark of DNA Genotek Inc. All other brands and names contained herein are the property of their respective owners. Oragene•DNA is not available for sale in the United States.