U.S. Patent Office Awards Utility Patent to American Bio Medica

Business Wire, Nov 2, 1999

KINDERHOOK, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 2, 1999--

American Bio Medica Corp. (Nasdaq:ABMC) today announced that the U.S. Patent Office issued a utility patent for the Company's Rapid Drug Screen(tm) family of on-site tests for substances of abuse.

"This utility patent is a tremendous addition to our portfolio of international patents and trademarks because it is directed at important features of our Rapid Drug Screen drug test kit and thus provides even more protection for our unique, single-step testing products," commented ABMC Chairman and CEO Stan Cipkowski.

The utility patent covers the Rapid Drug Screen drug test kit in which the testing card is inserted through a security-sealed slit in the lid of the sample cup. This distinguishes ABMC's test from other products on the market that require the test administrator to add reagents, use a pipette to transfer the urine sample or mix, tilt or stir the mixture.

The Company explained that its newly patented utility feature confirms the Rapid Drug Screen as the safest on-site drug test commercially available, since competitive products introduce the possibility for exposure of the test administrator to the urine specimen.

"With our new utility patent, we are in an even better position to address and deal with copycat products," added Cipkowski. "This strengthens our existing patent infringement and trademark dilution cases, and enables us to pursue firms that are infringing upon our utility patent. Ultimately, eliminating infringement will strengthen our industry presence and allow ABMC to capitalize upon its competitive testing advantages."

The Rapid Drug Screen single-step tests for substances of abuse generate results in five minutes and are unrivaled for ease of use. The most secure and flexible total testing system on the market, ABMC's on-site tests simultaneously screen for the presence or absence of up to nine illicit drugs.

American Bio Medica Corporation develops, manufactures and markets inexpensive, accurate, on-site drugs of abuse diagnostic kits and support services worldwide. The Company's global distributors target the workplace, clinical, rehabilitation, physicians, corrections and educational markets. ABMC's Rapid Drug Screen is proven to correlate 100% with the standard laboratory screening test.

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties, including without limitation, continued acceptance of the Company's products, increased levels of competition for the Company, new products and technological changes, the Company's dependence on third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.