February 5, 2002
TriPath Oncology, Inc. and AmeriPath, Inc. Sign Letter of Intent

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Gregory A. Marsh Vice President & CFO AmeriPath, Inc. 561-712-6211 E-mail: gmarsh@ameripath.com

Michelle D. Getty Investor Relations AmeriPath, Inc. 561-712-6260 E-mail: invrel@ameripath.com

Dennis M. Smith, Jr., MD EVP of Genomic Strategies and Chief Medical Officer AmeriPath, Inc. 904-391-1345 E-mail: dsmith@ameripath.com

TRIPATH ONCOLOGY, INC. AND AMERIPATH, INC. SIGN LETTER OF INTENT TO VALIDATE AND UTILIZE MELANOMA GENE ASSAY

- The Companies to Complete Agreement and Begin Validation and Clinical Use of Novel Gene Expression Assay -

Riviera Beach, FL, February 5, 2002 – AmeriPath, Inc. (Nasdaq: PATH), a leading national provider of cancer diagnostics, genomic, and related information services, today announced that it has executed a letter of intent to collaborate with TriPath Oncology, Inc. (“TriPath Oncology”), a wholly owned subsidiary of TriPath Imaging, Inc. (Nasdaq: TPTH) on the validation and clinical use of a novel gene expression assay for malignant melanoma. TriPath Oncology was established in July 2001 to manage the TriPath’s development and commercialization efforts in connection with agreements with BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company, NSE: BDX) to develop and commercialize molecular diagnostics and pharmacogenomic tests for cancer.

According to the terms of the letter of intent, AmeriPath will validate reagents and procedures developed by TriPath Oncology to incorporate a novel gene target for malignant melanoma. The assay will be performed on TriPath Imaging’s proprietary Extended Slide WizardTM imaging and telepathology platform. TriPath Imaging has developed a software module to support analysis of the targeted gene expression in tissue obtained from skin biopsies performed for the diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Finalization of these arrangements remains subject to various authorizations and approvals, as well as the negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement, and is expected to be completed within 90 days.

“We are very pleased to be working with the leading provider of dermatopathology services in the U.S.,” commented Paul R. Sohmer, M.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of TriPath Imaging. “Our relationship with AmeriPath represents a significant step toward providing broad market accessibility to novel markers for malignant melanoma. In addition, the development of a proprietary software application for assessing gene expression levels in biopsy specimens further demonstrates the value of our imaging technology and the Extended Slide WizardTM platform in cell-based pathology and cancer diagnostics. This is a significant milestone for TriPath Oncology in connection with its agreements with Becton, Dickinson and Company (“BD”) to develop and commercialize molecular diagnostics and pharmacogenomic tests for cancer.

“This collaboration with TriPath Oncology related to its novel gene expression assay for melanoma represents a wonderful match between our companies,” said Dennis M. Smith, Jr., M.D., Executive Vice-President of Genomic Strategies and Chief Medical Officer at AmeriPath. “As the market leader in dermatopathology, we will leverage our unparalleled access to tissue and the collective knowledge base of our Dermatopathology Resource Committee to develop appropriate studies to expand further the clinical applications of this unique assay. This test fits perfectly within our repertoire of technologies at our Center for Advanced Diagnostics (CAD). The fact that TriPath Oncology and BD, significant players in the diagnostic manufacturing industry, sought out AmeriPath for this agreement further validates the business model that we have built at CAD.”

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2001 approximately 51,400 new cases of malignant melanoma will have been diagnosed in the U.S. Although melanoma accounts for only 5% of all skin cancers, it is responsible for more than 75% of deaths from skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 7,800 persons will have died from melanoma in 2001.

TriPath Oncology, a wholly owned subsidiary of TriPath Imaging, Inc., develops molecular diagnostic and pharmacogenomic tests for malignant melanoma and cancer of the prostate, colon, breast, ovary and cervix.

AmeriPath is a leading national provider of cancer diagnostics, genomics, and related information services. During the first nine months of 2001, AmeriPath diagnosed approximately 2.9 million tissue biopsies, and interpreted approximately 1.6 million Pap smears. The company’s extensive diagnostics infrastructure includes over 400 pathologists and doctorate-level scientists providing services to 42 independent pathology laboratories, more than 200 hospitals, the Center for Advanced Diagnostics (CAD) and Dermpath Diagnostics, a division of AmeriPath. CAD provides specialized diagnostic testing and information services including Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization (FISH), Flow Cytometry, DNA Analysis, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Molecular Genetics, Cytogenetics and HPV Typing. AmeriPath has over 60 board-certified dermatopathologists supporting Dermpath Diagnostics, one of the country’s leading providers of dermatopathology services in the growing skin diagnostic market. Additionally, AmeriPath provides clinical trial and research development support to firms involved in developing new cancer and genomic diagnostics and therapeutics.

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The statements contained in this press release include "forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements - which are sometimes identified by words such as "may", "should", "believe'', "expect'', "anticipate'', "estimate" and similar expressions and which include any financial or operating estimates, forecasts or projections - are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the Company's control. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from results anticipated by forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include: the extent of success of the Company's operating initiatives and growth strategies; ability to manage growth; access to capital on satisfactory terms; general economic conditions; terrorism or an escalation of hostilities or war; competition and changes in competitive factors; federal and state healthcare regulation (and compliance); reimbursement rates under government and third party healthcare programs and the payments received under such programs; changes in coding; changes in technology; dependence upon pathologists and customer contracts; the ability to attract, motivate, and retain pathologists; labor, technology and insurance costs; marketing and promotional efforts; the availability of pathology practices in appropriate locations that the Company is able to acquire on suitable terms or develop; and the successful completion and integration of acquisitions (and achievement of planned or expected synergies). The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof based on management's current beliefs and expectations, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such statements. Further information regarding risks, uncertainties and other factors that could affect the Company's financial or operating results or that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected, estimated or anticipated are included in the Company's annual, quarterly, and other reports and filings with the SEC.