Careside Submits Hemoglobin Test for FDA Clearance.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

CULVER CITY, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--June 6, 2000

Careside Inc. (AMEX:CSA, CSA.W) announced today submission of its Careside(TM) hemoglobin blood test to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Careside also submitted a related hematocrit test for clearance, which would be calculated from the measured hemoglobin test result.

Upon FDA clearance of hemoglobin, together with the company's glucose test that is already available, the Careside Analyzer(TM) will provide the two tests most frequently ordered in a point of care setting.

The Careside Analyzer is the only point-of-care instrument on the market to offer a broad test menu, which encompasses 38 FDA-cleared or exempt tests in the categories of chemistry, electrochemistry and coagulation. (The company anticipates adding immunochemistry tests late this year).

The compact, desktop Careside Analyzer provides clinicians with accurate, cost-effective results in just 4 to 12 minutes, much more quickly than typical results delivered by a hospital or reference laboratory. The instrument's test menu encompasses the majority of tests ordered by clinicians. FDA clearance of the hemoglobin and hematocrit tests will increase the Careside Analyzer's test menu to 40.

The newly submitted hemoglobin test gives a quantitative measure of the hemoglobin concentration in an anti-coagulated whole blood sample. A sufficient concentration of hemoglobin in blood is essential for adequate transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide between lungs and other tissues. Measurement of the hemoglobin concentration is important as an initial step in the detection of anemia (diminished hemoglobin concentration) or erythrocytosis (increased red blood cell count and hemoglobin concentration).

The company expects the hemoglobin and hematocrit tests to be cleared by the FDA in mid-2000. Careside has been averaging 60 days for test clearance from the date of submission. Nevertheless, the FDA can take 90 days to initially respond. Actual clearance may take longer.

Safe Harbor: Statements in this press release regarding Careside Inc. which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include the date of FDA clearance for hemoglobin and the availability of immunochemistry tests. Key factors that may impact on these statements include technological hurdles, FDA approval process, and other challenges inherent in product research, development, manufacturing, marketing, and other factors discussed in the company's prospectus. The company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements. Please see the risk factors listed from time to time in the company's prospectus and reports on file with the SEC.