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Wednesday July 22, 1:49 pm Eastern Time

Company Press Release

Trinity Biotech Announces 119% Increase in Second Quarter Profits

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BW HealthWire)--July 22, 1998--Trinity Biotech plc (NASDAQ:TRIBY) today announced record results for the three and six months ended June 30, 1998.

Revenues rose 53% to $11,035,720 for the six months ended June 30, 1998 compared to $7,220,863 for the same period last year. Net profit was up 114% to $1,004,036 or $.04 per share compared to $470,140 or $.03 per share for the comparable period last year.

Revenues grew 35% to $5,523,873 for the three months ended June 30, 1998 compared to $4,093,157 for the same period last year. Net profit rose 119% to

$552,818 or $.02 per share for the quarter ended June 30, 1998 compared to $252,217 or $.01 for the same period last year. The net profit increase for the three months ended June, 30, 1998 reflects the reduction in Trinity's overhead base following the successful closure of the UK subsidiary, Centocor UK Holdings.

Commenting on the results, Jonathan O'Connell, chief financial officer at Trinity, said, ``Once again, Trinity has doubled year over year net profit. This significant increase was achieved despite the increase in spending for research and development to $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998 from $694,000 for the same period last year.

``Second quarter fiscal 1998 revenues were relatively flat compared to the first quarter fiscal 1998 due to the interruption of shipments during the transfer of manufacturing operations from the UK facility to our new Dublin facility,'' continued O'Connell. ``With our consolidated operations and shipments now under way again, we expect revenues to increase in the coming quarters. The investment in the new facility, which is now fully operational, has increased fixed assets by $1.5 million. As of June 30th 1998, the Company had cash and short term investments with a market value of over $5 million and total assets of $27 million.''

Highlights of the second quarter include FDA marketing clearance of two new markers that detect the presence of the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), the cause of mono and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Subsequent to the quarter, Trinity acquired the Microzyme product line for hormones and drugs of abuse from Diatech Inc. Yesterday the Company submitted its Uni-Gold(TM) Strep A rapid test to the FDA for marketing clearance in clinical sectors of the United States.

 

                         Trinity Biotech plc
                 Consolidated Statement of Operations

(US$ except share data)
                         Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended
                             June 30,                June 30,
                          1998       1997        1998        1997
                       (Unaudited)(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)

Revenues                5,523,873   4,093,157   11,035,720  7,220,863

Cost and Expenses
Cost of goods sold     (3,759,233) (2,902,635)  (7,377,797)(5,035,918)
Research and
 development             (566,839)   (348,460)  (1,273,489)  (693,896)
Administrative
 expenses                (599,413)   (670,583)  (1,285,194)(1,236,066)
Other operating
 income                      --        65,499         --      195,225

Operating profit          598,388     236,978    1,099,240    450,208

Interest and other
 income                    43,372      62,519       53,508    117,622
Interest expense          (88,942)    (47,280)    (148,712)   (97,690)

Net profit                552,818     252,217    1,004,036    470,140

Net profit per
 ordinary share             0.022       0.014        0.041      0.026

Weighted average number
 of ordinary shares
 outstanding           24,804,034  18,353,506   24,396,962 18,236,398


                         Trinity Biotech plc
                  Consolidated Balance Sheet as at:

(US$ except share data)      December 31, 1997   June 30, 1998
                                (Audited)         (Unaudited)

ASSETS


Cash and cash equivalents         2,827,107        1,098,927
Short term investments            1,447,643        1,468,854
Accounts receivable and
 prepayments                      7,899,177        7,640,959
Inventories                       3,663,036        5,441,844

Total Current Assets             15,837,107       15,650,584

Property plant &
 equipment, net                   5,800,169        7,290,290
Intangible assets, net              375,168        1,532,021
Financial assets                  2,587,257        2,510,840

Total Assets                     24,599,701       26,983,735

LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Accounts payable &
 accrued expenses                 8,767,479       8,825,842

Long term liabilities             8,727,511        9,332,664

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Called up share capital
   Class 'A' ordinary shares        315,567          319,872
   Class 'B' ordinary shares          9,954            9,660
Share premium account            35,055,338       35,435,508
Currency adjustment                 (63,125)        (207,475)
Retained deficit                 (5,937,107)      (4,925,062)
Goodwill reserve                (22,275,916)     (22,222,224)

Total Liabilities &
 Shareholders' Equity            24,599,701       26,983,735

Trinity Biotech develops, manufactures, and markets over 100 diagnostic products for the point-of-care (POC), self testing (OTC), and clinical laboratory segments of the diagnostic market. Trinity sells worldwide in over 75 countries through 130 international distributors and strategic partners, including Warner Lambert, Carter Wallace, and SmithKline Beecham.

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the ``safe harbor'' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the results of research and development efforts, the effect of regulation by the United States Food and Drug Administration and other agencies, the impact of competitive products, product development commercialization and technological difficulties, and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


Contact:

     Trinity Biotech plc
     Jonathan O'Connell, 800/603-8076 ext. 11
     www.trinitybiotech.com
     OR
     OTC Communications
     Robert M. Joyce, 888-32-TRIBY (87429)
     www.otcfn.com/triby

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