PositiveID’s ExcitePCR FireflyDX Prototype Successfully Detects E. Coli in Less Than 30 Minutes

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., May 01, 2018 -- PositiveID Corporation (“PositiveID” or “Company”) (OTC:PSIDD)  subsidiary ExcitePCR today announced today that the FireflyDX breadboard prototype pathogen detection system can accurately detect the E. coli bacterium in less than 30 minutes. Further, the Company commented on the importance of its rapid, portable pathogen detection products, currently under development, to prevent increasingly frequent foodborne disease outbreaks.

The graph shows ExcitePCR’s FireflyDX breadboard prototype system successful detection of E. coli using its own assay.

In scenarios where containment is key to preventing widespread accidental or bioterror-driven health disasters, immediate action can mean the difference between single digit and hundreds of cases, as seen in recent instances.

FireflyDX is designed to detect E. coli and other pathogens at the point of need, eliminating the delays that result from having to transport samples for off-site lab testing to receive potentially life-saving results.

The recent multi-state outbreak is the worst outbreak of E. coli since 2006 when illnesses traced to spinach killed three people and sickened more than 270, creating millions of dollars in legal liability.

The ability to rapidly and accurately diagnose pathogenic E. coli at the point of need gives health care providers information required for correct treatment protocols and for public information campaigns.

Further, millions of dollars in legal awards are paid annually due to foodborne illness. Through implementation of on-site detection at local food processing facilities, legal liability for outbreaks can be significantly minimized. PositiveID believes that completion and commercialization of FireflyDX could be a solution that enables such prevention.

FireflyDX Evidence

The graph below shows FireflyDX successful detection of E. coli using its own assay:

http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/5ae56daf-4b91-43d7-841a-89769d259198

“FireflyDX is being developed to prevent and more effectively respond to disease outbreaks and minimize the spread of infection,” commented Lyle L. Probst, ExcitePCR President and CEO. “Use of FireflyDX at the farm, food processing facility, or the restaurant level, can equip health care professionals with an unprecedented level of information to stop such food safety issues before they become a public health concern.”

E. coli is a bacterium commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded animals.  Most E. coli strains are harmless, but some kinds, like E. coli O157:H7, can cause serious disease in humans including bloody diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. Food contamination can occur when food products come into contact with fecal material in soil, water, or contaminated surfaces.  This contamination can cause food poisoning in humans and result in serious illness and costly product recalls.

PositiveID expects that FireflyDX vertical markets will include human clinical, such as infectious disease, and hospital acquired infections, global food and agricultural, and biothreat defense.

About PositiveID Corporation
PositiveID Corporation is a holding company with a focus on life sciences tools and diagnostics. PositiveID’s ExcitePCR subsidiary develops biological detection and diagnostics systems, specializing in the development of microfluidic systems for the automated preparation of and performance of biological assays. PositiveID’s Thermomedics subsidiary markets the FDA-cleared Caregiver® non-contact infrared thermometer. PositiveID also is a minority owner of E-N-G Mobile Systems, a leader in the specialty vehicle market. For more information on PositiveID, please visit http://www.psidcorp.com, or connect with PositiveID on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

On August 24, 2017, PositiveID Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary PositiveID Diagnostics, Inc.  (collectively, the “Seller”), entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (“APA”) with ExcitePCR Corporation. Pursuant to the APA, at closing, the Seller will sell and deliver to ExcitePCR all assets used in connection with the operation of the FireflyDX technology. For more information on the APA, please read PositiveID’s Form 8-K filed on August 28, 2017, which can be found here.

Statements about PositiveID's future expectations, including the likelihood that the completion and commercialization of FireflyDX could be a solution that enables the ability to rapidly and accurately diagnose pathogenic E. coli at the point of need giving health care providers information required for correct treatment protocols and for public information campaigns, and enables on-site detection at local food processing facilities to minimize legal liability for outbreaks; the likelihood that use of FireflyDX at the farm, food processing facility, or the restaurant level, can equip health care professionals with an unprecedented level of information to stop such food safety issues before they become a public health concern; the likelihood that FireflyDX vertical markets will include human clinical, such as infectious disease, and hospital acquired infections, global food and agricultural, and biothreat defense; constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and PositiveID's actual results could differ materially from expected results. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the Company’s ability to raise capital; the Company’s ability to complete the testing and development of FireflyDX; the Company’s ability to commercialize FireflyDX; the Company’s ability to defend against litigation; the Company’s ability to close the APA with ExcitePCR; as well as other risks. Additional information about these and other factors that could affect the Company's business is set forth in the Company's various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in the Company's 10-K filed on April 2, 2018, and 10-Qs filed on November 13, 2017, August 14, 2017, and May 15, 2017, under the caption "Risk Factors." The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

Contact:
PositiveID Corporation
Allison Tomek
(561) 805-8044
[email protected]