Avitar and Pinkerton to Collaborate on Launch of World's First Automated Analyzer For ORALscreen(TM) Drugs of Abuse Test

ORALscreen(TM) OSR to Benefit Large Volume Users

June 12, 2001

CANTON, Mass., June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Avitar, Inc. (Amex: - news) announced today that it will collaborate on marketing trials with Pinkerton, Inc. to develop and launch ORALscreen(TM) OSR, the world's first automated analyzer for the detection of drugs of abuse utilizing the ORALscreen system.

The new product is designed to develop and interpret the results of Avitar's current ORALscreen(TM) test, and will satisfy the needs of large volume users. ORALscreen OSR will provide capabilities to the customer for recording, reporting and managing the information utilizing various communication channels and storage medium.

``We are pleased to announce our collaboration with Pinkerton on the development of ORALscreen OSR, which we believe will be well received in the marketplace as we combine our technology with Pinkerton's sales and service resources,'' said Peter P. Phildius, Avitar's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. ``ORALscreen OSR will provide Avitar with the ability to perform drug testing using the ORALscreen, both independent of the analyzer, as well as in cooperation with the system. No other competitor can offer this unique and cost effective design, which will make converting our current customers, who want an automated system, easy and seamless.

Don Weber, Vice President of Pinkerton, Health Services Division, said, ``Based on our current relationship with Avitar, we are confident that this new product will prove to be another breakthrough in this growing marketplace. Pinkerton prides itself on being at the cutting edge of technology in the services we deliver, and this joint project will benefit both companies as we attempt to commercialize this product as soon as possible.''

The ORALscreen OSR analyzer is designed to provide quick and accurate results using the ORALscreen POCT device. The analyzer is a hand-held instrument capable of reading and interpreting of up to 10 different drug classes in 2 minutes or less. The ORALscreen OSR system offers several modes of communication including internet and RS232 ports. The ORALscreen OSR platform has been designed to incorporate future diagnostic applications such as diabetes and fertility POCT tests in oral fluid.

ABOUT AVITAR

Avitar, Inc. (Amex: - news) headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts, develops, manufactures and markets innovative medical devices based on proprietary core technologies for two distinctive markets: oral fluid diagnostics and customized polyurethane applications used in the wound dressing industry. Oral fluid diagnostics includes both the drugs-of-abuse testing market estimated to be worth $1.5 billion encompassing the corporate workplace and criminal justice markets and the $20 billion clinical diagnostics market. Avitar's products include ORALscreen(TM), the world's first non-invasive, rapid, onsite oral fluid test for drugs-of-abuse, and HAIRscreen(TM), a laboratory based hair test for detecting long-term drug abuse. Additionally, the company manufactures and markets HYDRASORB(TM), an absorbent topical dressing for moderate to heavy exudating wounds. In 2001, the company formed a strategic partnership with Pinkerton.

For more information, see Avitar's website at avitarinc.com.

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.