INVITRO INTERNATIONAL REPORTS SECOND QUARTER RESULTS
 
            COMPANY SIGNS MERGER LETTER OF INTENT WITH MIRAGEN
 
 
       Irvine, CA, May 15, 1997 -- InVitro International (Symbol INVI) today
 reported results for its second quarter ended March 31, 1997.  Revenues for
 the quarter were $164,000 compared to $260,000 for the same quarter in
 fiscal 1996.  The net loss for the quarter declined by 15% to $395,000
 ($0.02 per share), compared To $467,000 ($0.04 per share) reported for the
 same period last year.
 
       "Despite disappointing core business sales results, we remain
 encouraged by the prospects for Guardian DNA (TM)," said W. Richard Ulmer,
 president and CEO for InVitro International.  Guardian DNA is the new
 three-part infant/child safety system that is visioned as a hospital
 replacement for newborn footprinting;  it combines education, documentation
 and ultimately identification using DNA technology.  "Several healthcare
 institutions are in the process of reviewing Guardian, and/or obtaining the
 necessary internal approvals, for possible implementation at their
 respective facilities," Ulmer added.
 
       On Tuesday, May 13, 1997, the Company signed a letter of intent to
 merge with Miragen, Inc. (Irvine, CA) in a transaction anticipated to
 provide current InVitro shareholders with 20% of the combined company's
 common stock subject to certain adjustments based on business developments
 prior to a definitive agreement.  The new merger opportunity immediately
 follows the end of negotiations with Shenyang International as a potential
 merger partner and is contingent upon due diligence examination (already in
 process), filing of the appropriate materials with the Securities and
 Exchange Commission and approval by the majority of InVitro shareholders,
 among other conditions. Assuming the proposed merger is successfully
 completed, the assets and business of Miragen will be acquired by InVitro
 and will include all of Miragen's existing assets and proprietary rights
 relating to human and animal identification products and related
 technologies.  "The synergy between the two companies is both financially
 and market-driven," said Ulmer.  "We believe that InVitro's core technology
 combined with Miragen's biological and identification products, which
 include Guardian DNA, address unique marketplaces, and allow us to provide
 better pricing opportunities to customers and prospects."
 
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INVITRO REPORTS SECOND QUARTER RESULTS / Page 2
 
         At the close of business on Wednesday, May 14, 1997, InVitro's
 securities were removed from The Nasdaq SmallCap Market for non-compliance
 with NASDAQ listing standards.  The Company's common stock will continue to
 be traded in the over-the-counter market and quoted on the NASD Electronic
 Bulletin Board.
 
         Miragen develops, manufactures and sells biological identification and
 testing technologies used in hospitals, medical laboratories, animal
 identification, and forensics.
 
         InVitro International is engaged in the development, manufacture and
 sale of quality, proprietary preventive products and services to ensure the
 safekeeping of humans and the environment, and to minimize animal testing
 in commercial and academic enterprise.
 
         The statements made in this press release contain certain forward
 looking statements within the meaning of section 27a of the Securities Act
 of 1933 and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve
 a number of risks and uncertainties, including the risk that InVitro may be
 unable to complete the proposed transaction.  Actual events or results may
 differ from InVitro's expectations.  In addition, investors should be
 apprised of risk factors discussed from time to time in the Company's
 filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without
 limitation information set forth in Exhibit 99.1 filed with the Company's
 Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996.
 
 
                   [Table of Financial Results Omitted]
 
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