TPTH Tripath Imaging

BURLINGTON, N.C., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TriPath Imaging, Inc. (NASDAQ:TPTH) today announced that on October 26, 2006, the Federal Trade Commission approved the early termination of the antitrust waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act for the proposed acquisition of TriPath Imaging by BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company). The closing of the transaction remains subject to customary conditions, including approval of TriPath Imaging's stockholders. The special meeting of stockholders of TriPath Imaging to consider and vote on the adoption of the merger agreement is scheduled for December 19, 2006. Holders of record of TriPath Imaging common stock as of the close of business on October 25, 2006, the record date for the special meeting, are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the special meeting. About TriPath Imaging TriPath Imaging, Inc., headquartered in Burlington, North Carolina, develops, manufactures, markets and sells innovative solutions to improve the clinical management of cancer, including detection, diagnosis, staging and treatment. TriPath Oncology, a wholly owned subsidiary of TriPath Imaging, develops molecular diagnostic products for malignant melanoma and cancers of the cervix, breast, ovary and prostate. IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC TriPath Imaging plans to file with the SEC and mail to its stockholders a definitive Proxy Statement in connection with the transaction. The definitive Proxy Statement will contain important information about BD, TriPath Imaging, the transaction and related matters. Investors and security holders are urged to read the definitive Proxy Statement carefully when it is available. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the definitive Proxy Statement and other documents filed with the SEC by BD and TriPath Imaging through the web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov/. In addition, investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the definitive Proxy Statement from TriPath Imaging by contacting TriPath Imaging, Inc., Investor Relations, 780 Plantation Drive, Burlington, NC 27215. TriPath Imaging and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Information regarding TriPath Imaging's directors and executive officers is contained in TriPath Imaging's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, its proxy statement for the 2006 annual meeting of stockholders, its Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 30, 2006, July 25, 2006 and September 8, 2006 and its preliminary Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on October 17, 2006. As of October 9, 2006, TriPath Imaging's directors and executive officers beneficially owned approximately 2,099,959 shares, or 5.4%, of TriPath Imaging's common stock. A more complete description will be available in the definitive Proxy Statement. SAFE HARBOR FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Statements in this document regarding the proposed transaction between BD and TriPath Imaging, the expected timetable for completing the transaction, benefits of the transaction, future opportunities for the combined company and any other statements about TriPath Imaging managements' future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates" and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward- looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including: the need for approval of the transaction by TriPath stockholders, the ability to consummate the transaction; the ability to realize anticipated efficiencies and opportunities; and other factors described in TriPath Imaging's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and its most recent quarterly report filed with the SEC. Contact Stephen P. Hall Chief Financial Officer 336-290-8721 DATASOURCE: TriPath Imaging, Inc. CONTACT: Stephen P. Hall, Chief Financial Officer of TriPath Imaging, Inc., +1-336-290-8721 Web site: http://www.tripathimaging.com/

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