Response Biomedical Announces Two US Marketing Partners
For RAMP Anthrax Test
U.S. Marketing And Distribution Network To Enhance Direct Sales Of
The World's Only Reliable On-site Detection System For Anthrax
Vancouver, British Columbia, June 13, 2002 - Response Biomedical Corp. (RBM: TSX Venture Exchange), today
announces that marketing and distribution agreements have been reached with two industry-leading U.S. partners to
support the Company's direct sales of the RAMPä Anthrax Test, the world's only rapid and reliable on-site detection
system capable of distinguishing between a hoax and a potentially infectious dose of anthrax.
"While the Company is pursuing direct sales opportunities with key government agencies, to accelerate market
adoption following the commercial launch late last month, we have joined forces with two outstanding industry
partners that have an established US sales force and client base," states Bill Radvak, President and CEO. "The
synergy of world class technology and local industry expertise will ensure that emergency responders and corporate
America have immediate access to the very best technology available."
Response Biomedical is pleased to announce that marketing and distribution agreements for the RAMP Anthrax Test
have been reached with each of the following:
Colt Safety, Fire & Rescue - Safety Technologies, Inc.
St. Louis, Missouri
www.coltsafety.com
With more than 20 years experience in the industrial safety and distribution business, Colt Safety, Fire & Rescue
represents more than 500 manufacturers of personal safety equipment including the most highly regarded names
in the industry. In January of 1999, Colt Safety competitively bid all hazardous response equipment for the Papal
Visit.
CEO and Founder Ms. Christine Bierman will be presenting RAMP at the invitation-only Small Business Homeland
Security Expo 2002 in Washington, DC on July 10. Co-chaired by Senators John F. Kerry and Christopher S. Bond,
the expo is an opportunity to showcase a select group of small businesses and their homeland security products to
educate the U.S. Congress on private sector innovation. Mr. Tom Ridge, Director of the Office of Homeland Security,
will speak at the expo. (www.publicforuminstitute.org/activities/2002/dc2)
Emery & Associates Inc.
Vernon Hills, Illinois
www.emerysafety.com
Founded in 1982, Emery & Associates Inc. specializes in international emergency response consulting and
training. Mr. Richard Emery, President, is a distinguished former Fire Captain with more than 30 years of experience.
In 1997, Mr. Emery validated as a Subject Matter Expert for the Department of Defense Domestic Preparedness
training program. Mr. Emery currently instructs at the Department of Justice's Center for Domestic Preparedness at
Fort McCellan, and has instructed in the FBI's hazmat training program. Mr. Emery recently oversaw the marketing
and training efforts of a broad team of qualified agents formerly representing a competing rapid on-site anthrax test.
On May 29, 2002, Response Biomedical announced the commercial launch of the RAMP Anthrax Test. The battery
operated RAMP Reader weighs less than five pounds and is easy to operate with single-use disposable cartridges.
Data can be stored on the device and uploaded to a printer or computer. The system is now available for an
all-inclusive price of less than US$10,000.
Earlier this year, the same RAMP Reader used in biowarfare detection received marketing clearance from the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration for general clinical use. The biowarfare detection segment is an unregulated industry,
and the Company has publicly articulated its support for FDA intervention to address misinformation and confusion in
the marketplace.
Independent validation from a leading U.S. government laboratory showed the Company's RAMP Anthrax Test
demonstrated a reliable detection level of 4,000 live spores, with 99% confidence in specificity - substantially below
the 10,000 spore level used by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to define an infectious
dose. No other competitive technology purports to have comparable performance characteristics.
The Company has also initiated the development of additional tests for biological agents including botulinum toxin and
ricin to meet the security and business requirements of corporations, governments and public safety institutions
worldwide. The Company expects RAMP will become an essential emergency device analogous to a standard fire
extinguisher - not often used but readily available.
About Response Biomedical Corp.
Response Biomedical develops rapid on-site diagnostic tests for use with its proprietary RAMP Reader intended for
both clinical and environmental applications, including tests for the detection of heart attack and biological agents
beginning with anthrax.
The RAMP System is a platform technology that delivers accurate and reliable on-site test results in less than fifteen
minutes. It consists of a portable fluorescence reader and disposable test cartridges, with the potential to be adapted
to more than 250 medical and non-medical tests currently performed in laboratories. Additional assays under
development include tests for the diagnosis and/or monitoring of prostate cancer, therapeutic drugs and environmental
agents including botulism toxin and ricin.
On June 11, 2002, the Company received marketing clearance in Canada for the Myoglobin Assay System. On
January 8, 2002, the Company announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provided marketing clearance for
Response Biomedical's RAMP Reader for general clinical use, as well as the Myoglobin test - a cardiac marker used
in the early diagnosis of heart attack.
Response Biomedical's shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol "RBM". For a photo
of the RAMP System and/or further information, visit the Company's website at www.responsebio.com.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy of the content of the information contained
herein. The statements made in this press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations.
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Media Contacts:
Don Bradley Christine Bierman Richard Emery
Director, Corporate Communications CEO and Founder President
Response Biomedical Corp. Colt Safety, Fire & Rescue Emery & Associates Inc.
Tel (604) 681-4101 ext 202 Tel (314) 372-0272 Tel (847) 680-0799
Investor Contact:
John Gomez
Manager, Investor Relations
Response Biomedical Corp.
Tel (604) 681-4101 ext 208 |
