Microfluidics International announces equipment orders valued at over $790,000 and expansion of sales network.

NEWTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 1996-- Microfluidics International Corp. ("MFIC") today announced its receipt of a single purchase order for numerous pieces of equipment having a combined retail value of approximately $332,000.

The order was received from Mizuho Industrial Co., Ltd., one of the company's two Japanese distributors. The order will likely ship in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996 and thus contribute to 1996 revenues. The second order was received from a German company that is a technological leader in its field. The aggregate value of this multiple equipment order was $462,122 comprised of two M-610 large volume systems and one M-210 pilot production system.

The company also wishes to announce several appointments over the last year: Robert P. Bruno, as V.P. sales/marketing, having over 20 years sales management experience in industrial systems and capital equipment sales, four (4) additional sales representative organizations in the United States and five (5) sales representative organizations in Europe. This augmentation of the MFIC sales network has not only increased geographical sales coverage but additionally provided enhanced sales service to specific applications inasmuch as many of the territories are designated not only by location but also by industry to be served. In Europe, the added resources have been both aided and coordinated by the company's first European employees, a European Sales Promotion Manager, together with support personnel headquartered in Germany. In the United States, the national sales network's efforts are managed and supported by regional sales managers, company employees with extensive equipment knowledge and experience, a telemarketing staff and a customer service representative.

Michael A. Lento, president, stated, "These substantial orders for numerous pieces and multiple levels of equipment are both very satisfying and are believed to substantiate the worldwide recognition and market acceptance of our equipment. We have also realigned and enhanced our sales network with strategically selected and located personnel that are better equipped to address the needs of our diverse customer base."

Irwin Gruverman, CEO and chairman, stated, "Significant orders for laboratory and pilot production equipment are pleasing in that they are higher profit margin sales requiring relatively short lead times but they are equally as gratifying in their demonstrated potential to lead to the sale of large volume production systems. We are also gratified to see orders for multiple M-610 systems. Also, the revenue from the Japanese order, if shipped before year-end, will contribute substantially to what we believe will be a profitable fourth quarter, making that quarter consistent with earlier 1996 quarters. We believe that our realignment and enhancement of sales network has already started to take hold and that its anticipated efficacy will be reflected in forth quarter sales, through 1997 and beyond."

Microfluidics International Corp.

Microfluidics International Corp. provides patented and proprietary, high performance Microfluidizer(R) materials processing equipment to the chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, cosmetic/personal care and food processing industries. Microfluidizer(R) equipment is used by customers for numerous micromixing and encapsulation applications, for cell disruption, and for deagglomeration, to create new or improved products and processes. -0-

The company believes that this release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results achieved by the company could differ materially from the company's estimates and projections, depending on a number of factors including the timing of individual orders. Historically, a substantial portion of the company's revenues has been received in the last month of the quarter, making quarterly results difficult to forecast. The above forward-looking statements are also subject to change based upon various important factors, including without limitation, buying trends by customers and competitors' actions. For further information on potential factors that could affect financial results, please refer to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or available from the company.

CONTACT: Microfluidics Corp.

Irwin Gruverman, Michael Lento or Jack M. Swig

617/969-5452