Biopool International Reports Record Increase in Sales and Earnings for Third Quarter of 1997.

VENTURA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 1997--Biopool International Inc. (Nasdaq:BIPL) Tuesday reported operating results for the third quarter and nine-month period ended Sept. 30, 1997.

Sales for the third quarter increased 115 percent to $4.3 million from $2.0 million in the third quarter of 1996. For the nine-month period, sales rose 116 percent to $12.7 million from $5.9 million for the comparable period in 1996.

Pretax operating income for the third quarter increased by 97 percent to $585,000 from $297,000 in 1996. Pretax operating income for the nine-month period increased 46 percent to $1,439,000 from $988,000.

Net income for the quarter increased 50 percent to $493,000, or 6 cents per share, from $327,000, or 4 cents per share, for the same period in 1996. For the nine-month period, net income was $1.2 million, or 13 cents per share, compared with $1.0 million, or 13 cents per share, in 1996.

``Improvement in third-quarter operating results was due to two key factors,'' said Michael D. Bick, Ph.D., chairman and chief executive officer of Biopool International.

``The first factor was the elimination of certain transitional operating costs at our BCA Division. As previously noted, the assimilation of the newly acquired BCA Division required the duplication of certain operating costs during the second quarter, primarily related to computer implementation and customer service. These duplicate expenses have now been eliminated.

``Secondly, gross margins have improved due to sales growth, which will continue to reduce unit costs into the future.

``Sales continue to grow according to plan,'' continued Bick, ``and we are convinced that our current investment in sales and marketing activities will bring Biopool further market penetration for our hemostasis and immunohematology product lines.

``Biopool attended two key trade shows during the quarter -- the American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) and the Clinical Laboratory Management Association (CLMA) -- providing Biopool with a much greater market presence than in past years. Further, the third quarter saw a realignment in the field management of our sales representatives, which is expected to yield more focused, cost- effective selling efforts.''

Bick concluded: ``The results of our acquisition of the BCA Division are proceeding according to management expectations. Our focus on enhanced sales activities has the benefit of not only growing revenues into the future but also improving operating margins as volume grows to more fully utilize our current capacity.''

The company's product line of more than 150 Food and Drug Administration-approved products is sold to hospitals, blood-bank facilities and clinical and reference laboratories on a worldwide basis through an extensive network of distributors.

Founded in 1987, Biopool International develops, manufactures and markets a full range of test kits to assess and diagnose disorders of blood coagulation, thrombotic risk factors, fibrinolysis, platelet function and the vascular system; specialty chemistry controls used to monitor and measure the presence of drugs of abuse; and immunochematology products used to screen for antibodies and group and type whole blood. -0-

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding future revenues and gross margins that are based upon current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to technological innovations of competitors, changes in health-care regulations, litigation claims, foreign-currency fluctuation, product acceptance or changes in government regulation of the company's products, as well as other factors discussed in the company's last report on Form 10-K-SB under ``Risk Factors.'' -0-

                      BIOPOOL INTERNATIONAL INC.
                           Operations Data
                             (Unaudited)
                (In thousands, except per-share data)

                             Three months ended     Nine months ended
                                  Sept. 30,             Sept. 30,
                               1997       1996       1997       1996

Sales                        $4,315     $2,006    $12,661     $5,873
Income before taxes             585        297      1,439        988
Net income                      493        327      1,153      1,013
Income per common and
 equivalent share           6 cents    4 cents   13 cents   13 cents
Average common and
 equivalent shares
 outstanding                                        9,128      7,973


                          Balance Sheet Data

                                                  Sept. 30,  Dec. 31,
                                                     1997      1996
                                                 (Unaudited) (Audited)

Working capital                                   $ 6,084   $ 3,935
Total assets                                       14,191    13,123
Long-term debt                                      2,173     3,663
Total shareholders' equity                          9,443     8,352

CONTACT: Biopool International Inc., Ventura

Michael D. Bick or Carol Hill, 805/654-0643