Source: TearLab Corporation

FDA Grants TearLab(R) Osmolarity System CLIA Waiver Categorization

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 5, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TearLab Corporation (Nasdaq:TEAR) (TSX:TLB) ("TearLab" or the "Company") announced today that it is in receipt of a communication from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") indicating that, based on a supervisory review of the Company's appeal, the Agency has granted its petition for a waiver under CLlA for the TearLab® Osmolarity System. Upon the Company's submission of labeling acceptable to the Agency, the CLIA waiver will be issued.

"This marks the achievement of our third and final major milestone," commented Elias Vamvakas, TearLab's Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Vamvakas continued, "We believe that in order for the TearLab Osmolarity System to become widely adopted, it is essential that it be accessible at the point-of-care. Now, with the CLIA waiver obstacle overcome, this groundbreaking test is free to start growing to its potential."

About The TearLab Osmolarity System

The TearLab Osmolarity System uses a novel lab-on-a-chip approach that requires less than 50 nL (nanoliters) of tear fluid in order to measure tear Osmolarity. The TearLab Osmolarity System eliminates the challenges that previously prevented point-of-care Osmolarity testing. The TearLab™ System can produce a sample-to-answer result in less than 30 seconds.

About Dry Eye Disease

DED is a common condition in which the eye does not produce enough tears to keep the surface of the eye sufficiently lubricated. It affects approximately 40 million people in the U.S. and 100 million people worldwide. 

About TearLab Corporation

TearLab Corporation (www.tearlab.com) develops and markets lab-on-a-chip technologies that enable eye care practitioners to improve standard of care by objectively and quantitatively testing for disease markers in tears at the point-of-care. The TearLab™ Osmolarity Test, for diagnosing Dry Eye Disease, is the first assay developed for the award-winning TearLab™ Osmolarity System. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, TearLab Corporation's common shares trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol 'TEAR' and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol 'TLB'.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Actual events or results may differ materially. Many factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement, including the factors detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including but not limited to our Forms 10-K and 10-Q. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements.