CANTON, Mass., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avitar, Inc. (OTC:AVRNE.OB) (BULLETIN BOARD: AVRNE.OB) ("Avitar" or the "Company") developer of the world's first on-site, oral fluid-based test for drugs-of-abuse, today announced that Steve Okland has joined the Company as Vice President of Sales. "We are pleased to have Steve join our team," stated Peter Phildius, Chairman and CEO of Avitar. "Avitar is now well positioned as our value proposition of helping corporations address the $140B annual cost of workplace drug abuse gains traction. Steve is the right person to lead our sales efforts during this exciting time; his experience in the rapidly growing medical device industry will enable him to spearhead a more aggressive sales strategy." Mr. Okland has held senior management positions at both initial stage and growth stage corporations, including his 12 year tenure at Boston Scientific, where he held several positions in the sales and marketing department, culminating as Director of Sales for Boston Scientific/Microvasive where he managed a sales force of 80 professionals. Mr. Okland began his career at Johnson & Johnson. He holds a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin and a M.B.A. from Texas Christian University. "I am very excited to be joining an organization that is leading the way in addressing the enormous cost burden which American industry experiences due to workplace drug abuse," said Mr. Okland. "Avitar has developed a business solution that effectively deters workplace drug abuse. It will be my responsibility to take advantage of this fact and accelerate sales growth. I am pleased to be working with the Avitar team and welcome the challenges that this opportunity presents." About Avitar Avitar, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets innovative and proprietary products. Their field includes the oral fluid diagnostic market, the disease and clinical testing market, and customized polyurethane applications used in the wound dressing industry. Avitar manufactures ORALscreen(R), the world's first non-invasive, rapid, onsite oral fluid test for drugs-of-abuse, as well as HYDRASORB(R), an absorbent topical dressing for moderate to heavy exudating wounds. Avitar is also developing diagnostic strategies for disease and clinical testing in the estimated $25 billion in-vitro diagnostics market. Conditions targeted include influenza, diabetes, and pregnancy. For more information, see Avitar's website at http://www.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. Company Contact: PR Contact: Peter Cholakis Maura Landry Avitar Inc. SHIFT Communications 781-821-2440 x117 617-681-1229 First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact: DATASOURCE: Avitar, Inc. CONTACT: Peter Cholakis of Avitar Inc., +1-781-821-2440, ext. 117, ; or Maura Landry of SHIFT Communications for Avitar Inc., +1-617-681-1229, Web site: http://www.avitarinc.com/

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