CANTON, Mass., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avitar, Inc. (Amex: - ) announced today that it has received a Notice of Allowance for its "Diagnostic Testing Device and Method of Use Thereof" (Application No. 09/778,125).

The patent includes a more convenient and reliable oral fluid collection and testing method and provides a precise measurement of the oral fluid sample. This represents a significant milestone in Avitar's advancement of oral fluid technologies.

"We are very happy to have the U.S. Patent office recognize the unique merits of our oral sample collection and testing technologies," explained Pete Phildius, Chairman & CEO of Avitar. "This patent will add to our intellectual property developed around oral fluid diagnostics. In the near future we will be launching our second generation oral fluid drugs of abuse test which will combine the features of this patent plus a previously issued patent (Diagnostic Testing Device, 6,150,178). We will continue in our efforts to develop the highest quality and cost effective solutions for eliminating drugs in the workplace, as well as leverage our technologies for expansion into other diagnostic markets."

ABOUT AVITAR

Avitar, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets innovative and proprietary products in the oral fluid diagnostic market and customized polyurethane applications used in the wound dressing industry. Oral fluid diagnostics includes the estimated $1.5 billion drugs-of-abuse testing market, which encompasses the corporate workplace and criminal justice markets. Avitar's products include ORALscreen(TM), the world's first non-invasive, rapid, onsite oral fluid test for drugs-of-abuse. Additionally, Avitar manufactures and markets HYDRASORB(TM), an absorbent topical dressing for moderate to heavy exudating wounds. For more information, see Avitar's website at https://avitarinc.com.

Safe Harbor Statement. 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. In view of such risks and uncertainties, the Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward looking statements.

Peter Cholakis VP of Marketing Avitar Technologies, Inc.