2012

July 20, 2012

DNA Genotek Is Awarded Key Patent for Oral Sample System

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – OTTAWA, ON, July 20, 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 the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a key patent relating to the physical design that is core to its all-in-one system for the collection, stabilization and transportation of nucleic acids from oral samples for research and molecular diagnostic applications.

U.S. Patent No. 8,221,381, entitled "Container System for Releasably Storing a Substance," issued on July 17, 2012. The patent protects a novel container system which consists of a lid that stores a nucleic acid stabilization chemistry and a vial for receiving a biological sample. After providing a sample, the user closes the container lid and the stabilization chemistry is safely and automatically released. The patented technology is currently implemented in the Oragene® and OMNIgene® families of products, which are widely known for easy and non-invasive self-collection of high-quality nucleic acids from saliva. Corresponding patents have also been granted in Europe, Mexico, China and Hong Kong and patent applications are still pending in numerous other countries around the world.

"This patent covers a unique feature of DNA Genotek's core products that maximizes the reliability and ease-of-use of our products and has resulted in widespread adoption among researchers and clinicians globally", said Ian Curry, President of DNA Genotek Inc. "The issuance of the patent provides important intellectual property protection for our novel container system and nucleic acid stabilization chemistries and is an important step in further strengthening our position as a leader in DNA collection, stabilization and preparation products."

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. Some DNA Genotek products may not be available in all geographic regions.