December 9, 2003

News Release: US Army's Top Research Center Validates Response Biomedical's RAMP(R) Anthrax Test

Response Biomedical Corp. (RBM: TSX Venture Exchange; RBQ: Frankfurt), today releases positive results from an independent and comprehensive evaluation performed by the US Military's leading biological research facility confirming the Company's RAMP(R) Anthrax Test consistently produces accurate results with sufficient sensitivity to detect even trace amounts of non-visible anthrax spores. Furthermore, RAMP did not produce a single false positive result and was not affected by potentially interfering substances during the evaluation. Research conducted at the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), part of the US Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground and the Nation's premier chemical and biological defense research and development organization, demonstrates RAMP has a reliable detection level of 1000 - 2000 anthrax spores, depending on the strain of anthrax. RAMP also exhibits no cross- reactivity with similar Bacillus species, and was completely unaffected by potentially interfering substances. This attribute is particularly important since most environmental testing for biological agents involve evaluating samples often contaminated with unknown powders.

'RAMP demonstrated very good sensitivity which enables the system to identify even low levels of biological agent. Importantly, the system produces accurate results without false positives for closely related species,'says Karen Heroux, Research Scientist, ECBC. 'Based on the evaluation, RAMP appears to have overcome many of the performance limitations characteristic of other rapid biological tests.'

The market-leading performance of the RAMP Anthrax Test has also been confirmed by several other leading independent research facilities in North America including DRDC, Suffield, a research establishment within the Canadian Department of National Defense, and the Maryland State Department of Health. Without exception, the RAMP System has been independently evaluated and verified to be 100% reliable in positively identifying B. anthracis at or above the 4,000 spore level, and is not affected by related species or tested powders. Detailed results of these evaluations are available on the Company's website at www.responsebio.com.

'Following the events of September 11, 2001 and the subsequent biological attacks, there has been profound confusion in the marketplace about the relative performance and value of commercially available rapid biological field tests,'states Bill Radvak, President and CEO. 'Now, first responders have definitive independent performance results demonstrating RAMP's unprecedented ability to protect public health and safety against the threat of biological attacks,'adds Radvak. 'Based on the strength of this evaluation, the ECBC has recently joined a growing list of discerning customers which now includes UN biological weapons inspectors, the US Air Force, state and local hazmat teams, and the governments of Korea, Japan, Ireland, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates.'

The Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) provides state-of-the-art science, technology and engineering solutions to meet the rapidly changing needs of the warfighter. Located in Edgewood, Md., ECBC offers more than 85 years experience in chemical and biological defense. ECBC offers a full array of material management assistance ranging from risk management to agent detection, testing and decontamination. By partnering with industry, academia and the first responder community, ECBC leverages this expertise, furthering its mission to protect U.S. Armed Forces and U.S. interests.

Response Biomedical develops, manufactures and markets rapid on-site RAMP tests for medical and environmental applications providing reliable information in minutes, anywhere, every time. RAMP represents an entirely new class of diagnostic, with the potential to be adapted to more than 250 medical and non-medical tests currently performed in laboratories. The RAMP System consists of a portable fluorescent Reader and single-use, disposable Test Cartridges. RAMP tests are commercially available for the early detection of heart attack, environmental detection of West Nile virus, and biodefense applications including the rapid on-site detection of anthrax, smallpox, ricin and botulinum toxin.

Response Biomedical is a publicly traded company, listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol 'RBM'. The Company is also listed on Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the trading symbol 'RBQ'. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.responsebio.com.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy of the content of the information contained herein. The statements made in this press release may contain certain forward- looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations.

Media Contact: Don Bradley Director, Corporate Communications, Response Biomedical Corp. Tel (604) 681- 4101 ext 202 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SOURCE Response Biomedical Corp.

Don Bradley, Director, Corporate Communications, Response Biomedical Corp., Tel 604-681-4101 ext 202, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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