U.S. Department of Homeland Security Directs and Funds Development of PositiveID (PSID)'s Ricin Detection Assay to Protect Nation Against Biological Threats

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Oct. 18, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PositiveID Corporation ("PositiveID" or "Company") (OTCBB:PSID), a developer of medical technologies for diabetes management, clinical diagnostics and bio-threat detection, announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security ("DHS") Science and Technologies ("S&T") division has directed and funded the development of the Company's immunodetection assay for the identification of Ricin toxin to meet the specific needs that DHS has in securing the nation against biological threats. Ricin, a chemical warfare agent, is derived from the seeds of the castor oil plant Ricinus communis and has become a tool of terrorist groups across the world due to its effortless production and high toxicity.