Research Notes Benefits of Saliva-Based Instant Diagnostics CANTON, Mass., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on its oral fluid technology platform including its screens for drugs of abuse, Avitar, Inc. (OTC:AVRN) announced today it has received a patent for its oral fluid collection device to be used for DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based testing. The DNA collection device, (Sample Collection and Delivery Device, U.S. Patent #6,926,678) lends itself to be used in laboratories, hospitals, clinics, community based and public health organizations, law enforcement agencies, and diagnostic product OEMs. Today, blood testing is the method universally used for DNA testing and disease diagnostics. However, research has shown that oral fluids contain biomarker signature patterns that can track DNA and point to predispositions to diseases. "There is a definite market need for lower cost, more reliable and non-invasive solutions for DNA testing and early disease diagnosis," said Pete Phildius, Chairman and CEO of Avitar. "On-site oral fluid testing is emerging as a lower cost, more convenient alternative to traditional laboratory blood or urine testing for in-vitro diagnostics applications." Oral fluid diagnostics are currently applied extensively as tests for HIV and drugs-of-abuse. Beyond drugs and HIV, oral fluid-based tests can be used to accurately screen for: infectious agents, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, environmental and occupational toxins, hepatitis C, influenza, Lyme disease, mumps and tuberculosis. Benefits of lower cost and earlier detection would be realized by: schools, clinical laboratories, hospitals, clinics, community-based organizations and other public health organizations, government agencies, physicians offices, and corporations. "Avitar is the product pioneer in the use of oral fluid for on-site drugs of abuse screening. We are convinced the success of our ORALscreen(R) Drugometer(TM) versus traditional lab-based urine testing validates the market need for inexpensive, accurate, rapid testing," continued Phildius. "Our preliminary research shows that 80-85% of all current laboratory-based in-vitro diagnostic tests could be performed more efficiently using on-site oral fluid screens." ABOUT AVITAR Avitar, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets innovative and proprietary products in the oral fluid diagnostic market and customized polyurethane applications used in the wound dressing industry. Oral fluid diagnostics includes the estimated $1.5 billion drugs-of-abuse testing market, which encompasses the corporate workplace and criminal justice markets, and the $25B+ general in-vitro diagnostics market. Avitar's products include ORALscreen(R), the world's first non-invasive, rapid, on-site oral fluid test for drugs-of-abuse. Additionally, Avitar manufactures and markets HYDRASORB(TM), an absorbent topical dressing for moderate to heavy exudating wounds. For more information, see Avitar's website at http://www.avitarinc.com/. Safe Harbor Statement This release contains forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties including the development and marketing of new applications and other risks that are detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In view of such risks and uncertainties, the Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward looking statements. Company Contact: PR Contact: Peter Cholakis Monica Pandolfi Avitar Technologies, Inc. Shift Communications 781-821-2440 x 117 617-681-1235 IR Contact: Lisa DeScenza LaVoie Group 617-688-3088 DATASOURCE: Avitar, Inc. CONTACT: Peter Cholakis of Avitar Technologies, Inc., +1-781-821-2440 ext. 117 ; or Monica Pandolfi of Shift Communications, +1-617-681-1235, ; or Lisa DeScenza of LaVoie Group, +1-617-688-3088, Web site: http://www.avitarinc.com/

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