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POLYMEDCO IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE ITS NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH ABBOTT LABORATORIES, INC.

Cortlandt Manor, NY – February 17, 2000 - On November 12, 1999, Polymedco, Inc. formalized its new agreement with Abbott Laboratories Animal Health to market and sell the first tumor marker for canine urinary tract and bladder cancer detection. Abbott Laboratories Animal Health will utilize its experience in diagnostic marketing as well as their new detail sales force to fulfill the needs of the veterinary medical community.

Abbott Laboratories will launch the V-BTA test kit as part of its advanced diagnostic product line. Abbott’s Animal Health technical service department will provide complete front line technical support for the V-BTA test kit.

"The V-BTA assay will play an integral role in the screening and early detection of bladder cancer for geriatric, symptomatic, and high-risk canine patients. This innovative technology further enhances Abbott’s strong portfolio of novel animal health products," said Nickolas C. Manusos, business director for Animal Health at Abbott Laboratories.

The V-BTA test is a qualitative rapid, latex agglutination, urine dipstick test which measures a bladder tumor associated glycoprotein complex that is detectable in the urine of canine patients with Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC). Recent Veterinary studies have demonstrated that the test is especially useful in early detection of TCC with routine monitoring. The high sensitivity and negative predictive value of the test suggests it to be a practical screening test to rule out TCC in geriatric patients or patients with clinical signs related to the lower urinary tract.

The V-BTA test kit is manufactured by BDS, Inc. which is a subsidiary of Polymedco, Inc. BDS will continue to manufacture the V-BTA test at its Redmond, Washington based ISO 9001 manufacturing facility. Polymedco and BDS have collectively manufactured and distributed diagnostic test kits for 20 years and have significant experience with clinical studies, tumor marker assays, and regulatory clearance.

"This technology will ultimately provide enhanced monitoring for effective canine cancer management," stated Drew Cervasio, president of Polymedco. "This partnership allows the marketing and diagnostic expertise of Abbott Animal Health to promote greater awareness of these important clinical tools to the veterinary community."

Abbott Laboratories Animal Health has positioned itself as a leading veterinary perioperative and diagnostic health care business unit. Their extensive product line includes a breadth of anesthesia products, IV solutions and other veterinary critical care products. The advanced animal health diagnostic product line includes the recently USDA approved AbboScreen™ canine heartworm antigen test, as well as two products pending USDA approval; canine parvovirus antigen test kit and feline leukemia virus antigen test kit.

Abbott Laboratories is a global, diversified health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical, diagnostic, nutritional and hospital products. The company employs 56,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. In 1998, the company’s sales and net earnings per $12.5 billion and $2.3 million, respectively, with diluted earning per share of $1.51.

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