June 17, 2002

News Release: Two US Marketing Partners For RAMP(TM) Anthrax Test

RESPONSE BIOMEDICAL CORP ("RBM-V") -
Response Biomedical Corp. announces that marketing and distribution agreements have been reached with two industry-leading U.S. partners to support the Company's direct sales of the RAMP(TM) Anthrax Test, the world's only rapid and reliable on-site detection system capable of distinguishing between a hoax and a potentially infectious dose of anthrax. "While the Company is pursuing direct sales opportunities with key government agencies, to accelerate market adoption following the commercial launch late last month, we have joined forces with two outstanding industry partners that have an established US sales force and client base," states Bill Radvak, President and CEO. "The synergy of world class technology and local industry expertise will ensure that emergency responders and corporate America have immediate access to the very best technology available."

Response Biomedical is pleased to announce that marketing and distribution agreements for the RAMP Anthrax Test have been reached with each of the following:

Colt Safety, Fire & Rescue - Safety Technologies, Inc.

St. Louis, Missouri

www.coltsafety.com

With more than 20 years experience in the industrial safety and distribution business, Colt Safety, Fire & Rescue represents more than 500 manufacturers of personal safety equipment including the most highly regarded names in the industry. In January of 1999, Colt Safety competitively bid all hazardous response equipment for the Papal Visit.

CEO and Founder Ms. Christine Bierman will be presenting RAMP at the invitation-only Small Business Homeland Security Expo 2002 in Washington, DC on July 10. Co-chaired by Senators John F. Kerry and Christopher S. Bond, the expo is an opportunity to showcase a select group of small businesses and their homeland security products to educate the U.S. Congress on private sector innovation. Mr. Tom Ridge, Director of the Office of Homeland Security, will speak at the expo.

Emery & Associates Inc.

Vernon Hills, Illinois

www.emerysafety.com

Founded in 1982, Emery & Associates Inc. specializes in international emergency response consulting and training. Mr. Richard Emery, President, is a distinguished former Fire Captain with more than 30 years of experience. In 1997, Mr. Emery validated as a Subject Matter Expert for the Department of Defense Domestic Preparedness training program. Mr. Emery currently instructs at the Department of Justice's Center for Domestic Preparedness at Fort McCellan, and has instructed in the FBI's hazmat training program. Mr. Emery recently oversaw the marketing and training efforts of a broad team of qualified agents formerly representing a competing rapid on-site anthrax test.

On May 29, 2002, Response Biomedical announced the commercial launch of the RAMP Anthrax Test. The battery operated RAMP Reader weighs less than five pounds and is easy to operate with single-use disposable cartridges. Data can be stored on the device and uploaded to a printer or computer. The system is now available for an all-inclusive price of less than US$10,000.

Earlier this year, the same RAMP Reader used in biowarfare detection received marketing clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for general clinical use. The biowarfare detection segment is an unregulated industry, and the Company has publicly articulated its support for FDA intervention to address misinformation and confusion in the marketplace.

Independent validation from a leading U.S. government laboratory showed the Company's RAMP Anthrax Test demonstrated a reliable detection level of 4,000 live spores, with 99% confidence in specificity - substantially below the 10,000 spore level used by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to define an infectious dose. No other competitive technology purports to have comparable performance characteristics.

The Company has also initiated the development of additional tests for biological agents including botulinum toxin and ricin to meet the security and business requirements of corporations, governments and public safety institutions worldwide. The Company expects RAMP will become an essential emergency device analogous to a standard fire extinguisher - not often used but readily available.

About Response Biomedical Corp.

Response Biomedical develops rapid on-site diagnostic tests for use with its proprietary RAMP Reader intended for both clinical and environmental applications, including tests for the detection of heart attack and biological agents beginning with anthrax.

The RAMP System is a platform technology that delivers accurate and reliable on-site test results in less than fifteen minutes. It consists of a portable fluorescence reader and disposable test cartridges, with the potential to be adapted to more than 250 medical and non-medical tests currently performed in laboratories. Additional assays under development include tests for the diagnosis and/or monitoring of prostate cancer, therapeutic drugs and environmental agents including botulism toxin and ricin.

On June 11, 2002, the Company received marketing clearance in Canada for the Myoglobin Assay System. On January 8, 2002, the Company announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provided marketing clearance for Response Biomedical's RAMP Reader for general clinical use, as well as the Myoglobin test - a cardiac marker used in the early diagnosis of heart attack.

Response Biomedical's shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol "RBM". For a photo of the RAMP System and/or further information, 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. TEL: (604) 681-4101 ext 202 Media Contacts: Don Bradley, Director,

Corporate Communications,

Response Biomedical Corp. TEL: (314) 372-0272 Christine Bierman, CEO and Founder,

Colt Safety, Fire & Rescue TEL: (847) 680-0799 Richard Emery, President,

Emery & Associates Inc. TEL: (604) 681-4101 ext 208 Investor Contact: John Gomez,

Manager, Investor Relations

Response Biomedical Corp.

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