Carlyle Backs eScreen

eScreen, an Overland Park, Kansas-based provider of instrumented drug screening and electronic hiring program management solutions, has raised an undisclosed amount of funding from Carlyle Venture Partners.

PRESS RELEASE

Global private equity firm The Carlyle Group today announced it has made an investment in eScreen, Inc., a leading provider of instrumented drug screening and electronic hiring program management solutions. eScreen, the industry's only FDA-approved, instrument-read, point-of-collection rapid urine-based drug test system provides an expeditious, paperless drug screening alternative to conventional laboratory-based tests. The proceeds will fund working capital and investment in new products and services.

Founded in 2001 by Dr. Murray Lappe, eScreen sells its proprietary products and software directly to more than 400 national employers, including two of the top five employers in the U.S., and has a network of more than 1,500 clinics nationwide that perform testing and related services for national employers and resell eScreen services to local employers. eScreen's services and suite of related offerings include medical review, physicals and integrated pre-employment program management software.

“eScreen is well-positioned to capitalize on the $1 billion-plus worldwide market for pre-employment and workplace drug screening services,” said Robert E. Grady, Carlyle Managing Director and Co-head of the firm's U.S. Venture and Growth Capital group. “The company's unique, proprietary, first-to-market products and software deliver results in fifteen minutes or less and automate the hiring process for the employer, the applicant and the clinic.”

“Carlyle looks forward to working with eScreen to capitalize on opportunities in this large and expanding market,” continued Mr. Grady.

“eScreen was founded to develop, manufacture and market employment screening products for hiring and maintaining an efficient workforce,” said eScreen Chief Executive Officer, Robert D. Thompson. “Through our rapid drug screening system, employers can minimize the risks associated with workplace injury, absenteeism and turnover posed by illicit drug use. This partnership enables eScreen to strengthen and expand its position in the market by tapping Carlyle's expertise in the business services sector and by funding targeted growth initiatives.”

eScreen's founder and chairman Dr. Murray Lappe added, “The continued success of eScreen is exciting and the company is poised to step up to the next level.  eScreen is a proven industry innovator and we look forward to funding new initiatives that will continue to expand our portfolio of cutting-edge products and services.”

Carlyle's investment comes from Carlyle Venture Partners III, a $605 million U.S. venture and growth capital fund closed in 2007.

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eScreen, Inc.

Located in Overland Park, Kansas, eScreen was founded by the nation's largest MRO corporation in 1998. eScreen manufactures and markets the first and only automated, instant clinic-based rapid drug testing device. eScreen offers a rapid, electronic, paperless Chain of Custody solution to pre-employment drug testing, vastly surpassing industry standards for test turnaround, consistency and accountability of test methods, and client value.

The Carlyle Group

The Carlyle Group is a global private equity firm with $74.9 billion under management committed to 57 funds. Carlyle invests in buyouts, venture & growth capital, real estate and leveraged finance in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America focusing on aerospace & defense, automotive & transportation, consumer & retail, energy & power, financial services, healthcare, industrial, infrastructure, technology & business services and telecommunications & media. Since 1987, the firm has invested $37.7 billion of equity in 737 transactions for a total purchase price of $213.1 billion. The Carlyle Group employs more than 990 people in 21 countries. In the aggregate, Carlyle portfolio companies have more than $87 billion in revenue and employ more than 286,000 people around the world. www.carlyle.com