CARESIDE Reports Year End Results

Company's December Launch of Blood-Testing System and Acquisition of Hematology Device Company Highlight Fourth Quarter Results


CULVER CITY, Calif., April 3, 2000 (PRIMEZONE) -- CARESIDE, Inc. (AMEX:CSA) announced a net loss for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 1999 of $(3.5) million or $(0.48) per share compared to a net loss of $(2.3) million or $(0.46) per share for the same period last year.

For the year ended December 31, 1999, the Company reported a net loss of $(11.6) million or $(1.88) per share compared to $(8.9) million or $(1.93) per share for the comparable period last year.

"Our commercial introduction of the CARESIDE Analyzer(tm) and the CARESIDE H-2000(tm) occurred in December as previously communicated," said Chairman and CEO W. Vickery Stoughton. "We view the addition of revenue and cost of sales to our operating results as exciting steps in demonstrating Careside's progress. These initial shipments will serve to be the basis for exciting expansions in 2000."

During the quarter, the Company also announced clearance of its CARESIDE Analyzer for point-of care use by the FDA. While the CARESIDE Analyzer was already FDA cleared for sale, point-of-care designation will allow improved operating flexibility for Careside's customers and allow marketing materials to reference point-of-care use.

Mr. Stoughton added, "On the business development front, the acquisition of Texas International Laboratories and the H-2000 for stock was critical in completing our initial test menu. The 16 hematology tests cleared for use on the H-2000 brings the total number of tests available on the Careside System to 53. Physicians recognize the advantages the H-2000 offers and we are working with them to identify opportunities to make its operation even better. In addition to the TIL acquisition, we are moving forward with plans and submissions that would allow sales into international markets during 2000.

CARESIDE, Inc., based in Culver City, California is developing a proprietary blood testing system including its CARESIDE Analyzer a blood diagnostic device, and accompanying record management software. The Company plans to manufacture and distribute the product to health care providers in the U.S. and abroad.

Safe Harbor: Statements in this press release regarding CARESIDE Inc. which are not historical facts, including statements regarding expansions and international sales in 2000 are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Key factors which may impact these statements include technological hurdles, study site efficiency, and other challenges inherent in product research, development, manufacturing, marketing, and other factors discussed in the Company's prospectus dated June 16, 1999. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements. Please see the risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's prospectus and reports on file with the SEC.


                            Careside, Inc.
                  Abbreviated Statement of Operations
                            (in thousands)
 
                       Three months ended            Year ended
                          December 31,               December 31,
                      ---------------------    ---------------------
                            1998      1999        1998         1999
                            ----      ----        ----         ----
 
 SALES, net                 $   -    $   61       $    -      $   61
 COST OF SALES                  -        31            -          31
                             ----       ---        -----       -----
 GROSS PROFIT                   -        30            -          30
 
 OPERATING EXPENSES:
   Research and 
    development costs       2,139     2,321        8,298       8,252
   Sales and marketing         65       628          249       1,205
  General and 
    administrative            136       491          601       1,448
                            ----      ----         ----      ------
 
      Total operating
       expenses           -------   -------     --------    --------
                            2,340     3,440        9,148      10,905
                            ------   ------       ------      ------
 OPERATING LOSS:           (2,340)   (3,410)      (9,148)    (10,875)
 
 GOODWILL AMORTIZATION          -       (37)           -         (37)
 INTEREST INCOME
  (EXPENSE):                   16       (25)         212        (679)
                              ---      ----         ----       -----
 
 NET LOSS                 $(2,324)  $(3,472)    $ (8,936)  $ (11,591)
                         ========  ========     =========  =========
 
 Dividend payable 
  on Preferred Stock     $     -   $    26     $      -   $      55
                         --------   -------     =========  =========
 
 NET LOSS to common
  shareholders            $(2,324)  $(3,498)    $ (8,936)  $ (11,646)
                         ========  ========     =========  =========
 
 NET LOSS PER SHARE       $ (0.46)  $ (0.48)    $  (1.93)    $ (1.88)
                         ========  ========     =========  =========
 
 Weighted average
  number of common
  stock and common
  outstanding               5,084     7,226        4,630       6,210
                         ========  ========     =========  =========
 
                      Abbreviated Balance Sheets     
                            (in thousands)
 
                                        December 31,    September 30,
                                            1998            1999
                                        ------------   -------------
 ASSETS
 CURRENT ASSETS
  Cash and cash equivalents                 $ 3,927         $ 4,905
  Accounts receivable                             -              78
  Inventories                                     -             549
  Prepaid expenses and other                     82             103
 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (net)                 3,386           5,939
 DEFERRED OFFERING COSTS                        498               2
 DEPOSITS                                        18              15
 GOODWILL (net)                                   -           2,798
 
      Total Assets                          $ 7,911        $ 14,389
                                       ============   =============
 
 LIABILITIES AND 
  STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
 CURRENT LIABILITIES                          1,717           4,215
                                             ------          -----
 
 LONG-TERM DEBT                               2,045           1,095
                                             ------          -----
 
 STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY                         4,149           9,079
                                       ------------   -------------
 
  Total liabilities and
   stockholder's equity                     $ 7,911        $ 14,389
                                      ============   =============
CONTACTS:  Jim Koch, CFO
           Careside, Inc.
           310 338-6767