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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the quarterly period ended January 31, 2003

Commission File Number 0-15266

BIO-REFERENCE LABORATORIES, INC.
481 Edward H. Ross Drive, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
(201) 791-2600

New Jersey
(State of incorporation)
  22-2405059
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

        Check whether the issuer (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes ý    No o

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

        State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date: 11,608,583 shares of Common Stock ($.01 par value) at March 10, 2003.





BIO-REFERENCE, LABORATORIES, INC.

FORM 10-Q

JANUARY 31, 2003


I N D E X

PART I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION    

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2003 (unaudited) and October 31, 2002

 

1

 

 

Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three months ended January 31, 2003 and January 31, 2002

 

3

 

 

Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the three months ended January 31, 2003 and January 31, 2002

 

4

 

 

Notes to financial statements

 

5

Item 2.

 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

8

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

12

PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION

 

13

Item 6.

 

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

 

Signatures

 

13

Certifications

 

 

i



BIO-REFERENCE LABORATORIES, INC.

BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS

 
  January 31,
2003

  October 31,
2002

 
  (Unaudited)

   
Current Assets:            
  Cash and Cash Equivalents   $ 3,926,163   $ 3,403,365
  Accounts Receivable (Net)     29,347,890     28,698,931
  Inventory     1,144,263     1,080,768
  Other Current Assets     1,033,094     1,183,403
   
 
    Total Current Assets   $ 35,451,410   $ 34,366,467
   
 
Property, Plant and Equipment   $ 5,450,732   $ 4,881,572
  Less: Accumulated Depreciation     2,111,400     1,877,185
   
 
    Total Property, Plant and Equipment—Net   $ 3,339,332   $ 3,004,387
   
 

Other Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Deposits     298,907     293,203
  Goodwill (Net of Accumulated Amortization of $2,401,393)     5,843,237     5,843,237
  Deferred Charges (Net of Accumulated Amortization of $2,226,826 and $2,084,614 respectively)     2,726,010     2,868,222
  Other Assets     1,039,572     1,066,658
   
 
    Total Other Assets   $ 9,907,726   $ 10,071,320
   
 
    Total Assets   $ 48,698,468   $ 47,442,174
   
 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Financial Statements.

1



BIO-REFERENCE LABORATORIES, INC.

BALANCE SHEETS

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 
  January 31,
2003

  October 31,
2002

 
 
  (Unaudited)

   
 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Accounts Payable   $ 6,591,162   $ 6,871,331  
  Salaries and Commissions Payable     1,612,145     2,420,274  
  Accrued Taxes and Expenses     265,332     895,340  
  Current Portion of Long-Term Debt     199,997     400,000  
  Current Portion of Leases Payable     615,749     582,751  
  Notes Payable     13,291,814     10,546,010  
   
 
 
    Total Current Liabilities   $ 22,576,199   $ 21,715,706  
   
 
 

Long-Term Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Long-Term Portion of Leases Payable     1,289,744     1,423,659  
  Other Long-Term Liabilities     95,740     95,740  
   
 
 
    Total Long-Term Liabilities   $ 1,385,484   $ 1,519,399  
   
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies          
   
 
 

Shareholders' Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Preferred Stock $.10 Par Value; Authorized 1,062,589 shares, None Issued   $   $  
  Series A Senior Preferred Stock, $.10 Par Value; Authorized Issued and Outstanding 604,078 shares     60,408     60,408  
  Series A—Junior Participating Preferred Stock, $.10 Par Value, Authorized 3,000 Shares   $   $  
  Common Stock, $.01 Par Value; Authorized 18,333,333 shares, Issued and Outstanding 11,608,583 shares at January 31, 2003 and 11,588,583 shares at October 31, 2002     116,086     115,886  
 
Additional Paid-In Capital

 

 

28,565,251

 

 

28,543,576

 
 
Accumulated [Deficit]

 

 

(3,754,924

)

 

(4,224,990

)
   
 
 
    Totals   $ 24,986,821   $ 24,494,880  
 
Deferred Compensation

 

 

(250,036

)

 

(287,811

)
   
 
 
    Total Shareholders' Equity   $ 24,736,785   $ 24,207,069  
   
 
 
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity   $ 48,698,468   $ 47,442,174  
   
 
 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Financial Statements.

2



BIO-REFERENCE LABORATORIES, INC.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 
  Three months ended
January 31,

 
 
  2003
  2002
 
Net Revenues:   $ 23,759,027   $ 22,294,644  
   
 
 
Cost of Services:              
  Depreciation   $ 217,357   $ 128,084  
  Employee Related Expenses     6,398,976     5,742,058  
  Reagents and Lab Supplies     3,759,707     3,813,339  
  Other Cost of Services     2,810,801     3,242,653  
   
 
 
    Total Cost of Services   $ 13,186,841   $ 12,926,134  
   
 
 
Gross Profit On Revenues   $ 10,572,186   $ 9,368,510  

General and Administrative Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Depreciation and Amortization   $ 159,072   $ 163,177  
  Other General and Admin. Expenses     7,009,694     5,824,969  
  Bad Debt Expense     2,655,210     2,404,826  
   
 
 
    Total General and Admin. Expenses   $ 9,823,976   $ 8,392,972  
   
 
 
Operating Income   $ 748,210   $ 975,538  

Other (Income) Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Interest Expense   $ 211,811   $ 268,585  
  Interest Income     (7,667 )   (9,730 )
   
 
 
    Total Other Expenses—Net   $ 204,144   $ 258,855  
   
 
 
Income Before Tax     544,066     716,683  
 
Provision for Income Taxes

 

$

73,999

 

$

6,935

 
   
 
 
Net Income   $ 470,067     709,748  
   
 
 
Net Income Per Share—Basic:   $ .04   $ .06  

Number of Shares—Basic:

 

 

11,595,255

 

 

11,103,662

 

Net Income Per Share—Diluted:

 

$

..04

 

$

..06

 

Number of Shares—Diluted:

 

 

12,899,351

 

 

12,801,081

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Financial Statements.

3



BIO-REFERENCE LABORATORIES, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 
  Three months ended
January 31,

 
 
  2003
  2002
 
Operating Activities:              
  Net Income   $ 470,067   $ 709,748  
  Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by Operating Activities:              
    Deferred Compensation     37,775     238,544  
    Depreciation and Amortization     376,429     291,261  
    Provision for Bad Debts     2,655,210     2,404,826  
    Deferred Income Tax     14,000     (42,277 )
  Change in Assets and Liabilities (Increase) Decrease in:              
    Accounts Receivable     (3,304,169 )   (3,677,792 )
    Other Assets     21,383     19,569  
    Inventory     (63,495 )   32,871  
    Other Current Assets     136,306     (177,767 )
    Deferred Charges         (97,839 )
  Increase (Decrease) in:              
    Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities     (1,718,306 )   197,235  
   
 
 
      Net Cash—Operating Activities   $ (1,374,800 ) $ (101,621 )

Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Acquisition of Equipment and Leasehold Improvements   $ (493,583 ) $ (219,319 )

Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Payments of Long-Term Debt   $ (200,001 ) $ (261,818 )
  Payments of Capital Lease Obligations     (176,495 )   (80,072 )
  Increase in Revolving Line of Credit     2,745,802     991,136  
  Proceeds from Exercise of Options     21,875     139,494  
   
 
 
    Net Cash—Financing Activities   $ 2,391,181   $ 788,740  
   
 
 
  Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents   $ 522,798   $ 467,800  
  Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Periods   $ 3,403,365   $ 2,355,356  
   
 
 
  Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Periods   $ 3,926,163   $ 2,823,156  
   
 
 

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Cash paid during the period for:              
    Interest   $ 141,668   $ 237,581  
    Income Taxes   $ 2,094   $ 47,212  

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Financial Statements.

4


SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

        During the three month period ended January 31, 2003, the Company entered into one capital lease totaling approximately $75,600.

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Consolidated Financial Statements.

5



BIO-REFERENCE LABORATORIES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(1)
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal adjustments and recurring accruals) which are necessary to present a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.

(2)
The results of operations for the three months ended January 31, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.

(3)
The consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes for the year ended October 31, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(4)
The significant accounting policies followed by the Company are set forth in Note 2 to the Company's consolidated financial statements in the October 31, 2002 Form 10-K.

(5)
Revenues are recognized at the time the services are performed. Revenues on the statements of operations are net of the following amounts for allowances and discounts.

 
  Three Months Ended
January 31,

 
  2003
  2002
 
  (Unaudited)

Medicare/Medicaid   $ 16,934,942   $ 14,626,316
Other     18,197,805     16,026,985
   
 
    $ 35,132,747   $ 30,653,301
   
 
(6)
An allowance for contractual credits and uncollectible accounts is determined based upon a review of the reimbursement policies and subsequent collections for the different types of payors. The aggregate allowance, which is net against accounts receivable was $28,860,516 at January 31, 2003 and $30,045,528 at October 31, 2002 and is comprised of the following items:

 
  January 31, 2003
  October 31, 2002
 
  (Unaudited)

   
Contractual Credits/Discounts   $ 22,820,499   $ 23,010,020
Doubtful Accounts     6,040,017     7,035,508
   
 
    $ 28,860,516   $ 30,045,528
   
 
(7)
In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 143 "Accounting for asset retirement obligations" which requires that the

6


7


(8)
At January 31, 2003, the Company had a gross deferred tax asset of approximately $800,000 and a valuation allowance of approximately $500,000 related to the asset, a decrease of $400,000 from October 31, 2002. The net deferred tax asset balance of approximately $300,000 primarily relates to net operating loss carry forwards and is reported under the "Other Current Assets" caption.

(9)
In January 2002, we amended our revolving loan agreement with PNC Bank. The maximum amount of the credit line available to the Company is now the lesser of (i) $25,000,000 or (ii) 50% of our qualified accounts receivable (as defined in the agreement). Interest on advances will be subject to the prime rate or Eurodollar rate of interest plus an additional interest percentage. The additional interest percentage charges on borrowings range from 1% to 3% and are determined based upon certain financial ratios achieved by the Company. During fiscal 2002, the Company had elected to have $8,000,000 of the total advances outstanding converted into a Eurodollar rate loan with a variable interest rate of 3.20% at January 31, 2003. The remaining outstanding advances during that period were subject to the prime rate of interest. At January 31, 2003, advances of $5,291,814 were subject to interest at the prime rate. The credit line is collateralized by substantially all of our assets and the assignment of a $4,000,000 insurance policy on the life of the president of our Company. The line of credit is currently available through September 2004. The terms of this agreement contain, among other provisions, requirements for maintaining defined levels of capital expenditures and fixed charge coverage, various financial ratios and insurance coverage. As of January 31, 2003, we were utilizing approximately $13,292,000 of this credit facility and had $7,399,957 of available unused credit under this revolving loan agreement.

(10)
In the normal course of its business, the Company is exposed to a number of asserted and unasserted potential claims. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

8



Item 2.


MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
COMPARISON OF FIRST QUARTER 2003 VS FIRST QUARTER 2002

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

        This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains historical information as well as forward-looking statements. Statements looking forward in time are included in this Quarterly Report pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance suggested herein. For a further discussion concerning risks to our business, the results of our operations and our financial condition, reference is made to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2002.

OVERVIEW:

        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. While many aspects of our business are subject to complex federal, state and local regulations, the accounting for our business is generally straightforward. Our revenues are primarily comprised of a high volume of relatively low dollar transactions, and about 46% of all our costs consist of employee compensation and benefits. Revenues are recognized at the time the services are performed and are reported at the estimated net realizable amounts from patients, third-party payors and others for services rendered including prospectively determined adjustments under reimbursement agreements with third-party payors. These adjustments are accrued on an estimated basis in the period the services are rendered and adjusted in future periods as final settlements are determined. These estimates are reviewed and adjusted, if warranted, by senior management on a monthly basis. We believe that our estimates and assumptions are correct; however, several factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors:

9


        We utilize diluted earnings per share ("EPS") on pre-tax income as a performance indicator rather than the traditional EPS calculation on an after tax basis. This pre-tax EPS takes out the nuance of tax differences caused by large net operating loss carryforwards which create benefits (which we used in the past) and tax expense (which we expect in the future). Our pre-tax EPS on a diluted basis for the first quarter of fiscal years 2002 and 2003 were $.06 and $.04, respectively.

NET REVENUES:

        We had net revenues for the three month period ended January 31, 2003 of $23,759,027 as compared to $22,294,644 for the three month period ended January 31, 2002. This represents a 7% increase in net revenues. This increase is due primarily to a 6% increase in the number of patients serviced. The first quarter of the current fiscal year was extremely bad as far as the weather was concerned. The Mid-Atlantic states had its first snowfall in November and had four snow occurrences during December 2002.

        The number of patients serviced during the quarter ended January 31, 2003 was 477,841 which was 6% greater when compared to the prior fiscal year's quarter ended January 31, 2002. Net revenue per patient for the quarter ended January 31, 2003 was $50.10 compared to net revenue per patient for the quarter ended January 31, 2002 of $49.59.

COST OF SERVICES:

        Cost of Services increased from $12,926,134 for the three month period ended January 31, 2002 to $13,186,841 for the three month period ended January 31, 2003, an increase of $260,707 or 2%. This increase is substantially less than the 7% increase in net revenues.

GROSS PROFITS:

        Gross profit on net revenues increased 13% to $10,572,186 for the three month period ended January 31, 2003 compared to $9,368,510 for the same period ended January 31, 2002. Gross Profit margin increased approximately 3% in the current period reflecting decreased direct costs in relation to net revenues.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:

        General and administrative expenses for the three month period ended January 31, 2003 were $9,823,976 compared to $8,392,972 for the three month period ended ended January 31, 2002. This represents an increase of $1,431,004 (17%) which was caused primarily by an increase of $349,025 (170%) in insurance expense (influenced by several factors including the 9/11 WTC attack), a $250,384 (10%) increase in Bad Debt Expense, a $128,248 (85%) increase in Data Processing salaries, and a $54,841 (46%) increase in legal fees. Other cost increases were primarily due to the increase in revenue for the three month period ended January 31, 2003.

10



INTEREST EXPENSE:

        Interest expense decreased from $268,585 for the three month period ended January 31, 2002 to $211,811 for the three month period ended January 31, 2003, a decrease of $56,774. This decrease is due to a decline in the variable interest rates associated with the PNC Bank line of credit utilized by the Company. Management believes that this trend will not continue in the future due to the continued use of our revolving line of credit to fund our expansion and growth and the expectation that interest rates will not substantially decrease.

INCOME:

        We realized net income of $470,067 for the period ended January 31, 2003, compared to net income of $709,748 for the same period ended January 31, 2002. Pre-tax income for the period ended January 31, 2003 was $544,066, compared to $716,683 for the same period ended January 31, 2002, a decrease of $172,617 (24%) and was caused primarily by the increase in general and administrative expenses in relation to the increase in net revenue. The provision for income taxes increased from $6,935 for the period ended January 31, 2002 to $73,999 for the period ended January 31, 2003. This increase was anticipated due to the full utilization of certain state tax loss carry-forwards in fiscal 2002.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES:

For the Quarter Ended January 31, 2003

        Our working capital at January 31, 2003 was approximately $12,875,000 as compared to approximately $12,651,000 at October 31, 2002, an increase of $224,000. Our cash position increased by approximately $523,000 during the current period. We borrowed approximately $2,746,000 in short term debt and repaid approximately $376,000 in existing debt. We had current liabilities of approximately $22,591,000 at January 31, 2003. We utilized approximately $1,375,000 in cash from operations, compared to cash utilized from operations for the quarter ended January 31, 2002 of approximately $102,000.

        Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, totaled approximately $29,348,000 at January 31, 2003, an increase of approximately $649,000 from October 31, 2002, or 2%. This increase was primarily attributable to increased revenue. Cash collected during the three month period ended January 31, 2003 increased 9% over the comparable three month period.

        Credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is generally diversified due to the large number of patients comprising the client base. We have significant receivable balances with government payors and various insurance carriers. Generally, we do not require collateral or other security to support customer receivables, however, we continually monitor and evaluate our client acceptance and collection procedures to minimize potential credit risks associated with our accounts receivable. While we maintain what we believe to be an adequate allowance for doubtful accounts, there can be no assurance that our ongoing review of accounts receivable will not result in the need for additional reserves. Such additional reserves could have a material impact on our financial position and results of operations.

        In January 2002, we amended our revolving loan agreement with PNC Bank. The maximum amount of the credit line available to us is now the lesser of (i) $25,000,000 or (ii) 50% of our qualified accounts receivable (as defined in the agreement). Interest on advances will be subject to the prime rate or Eurodollar rate of interest plus an additional interest percentage. The additional interest percentage charges on borrowings range from 1% to 3% and are determined based upon certain financial ratios achieved by the Company. During fiscal 2002, the Company had elected to have $8,000,000 of the total advances outstanding converted into a Eurodollar rate loan with a variable interest rate of 3.20% at January 31, 2003. The remaining outstanding advances during that period were subject to the prime rate of interest. At January 31, 2003, advances of $5,291,814 were subject to

11



interest at the prime rate. The credit line is collateralized by substantially all of our assets and the assignment of a $4,000,000 insurance policy on the life of the president of our Company. The line of credit is currently available through September 2004. The terms of this agreement contain, among other provisions, requirements for maintaining defined levels of capital expenditures and fixed charge coverage, various financial ratios and insurance coverage. As of January 31, 2003, we were utilizing approximately $13,292,000 of this credit facility and had $7,399,957 of available unused credit under this revolving loan agreement.

        At November 1, 1998, the Company was being represented by counsel in connection with various reviews being conducted by the Company's Medicare carrier. One review involved overpayments that occur in the normal course of business. The Company remitted approximately $75,000 to Medicare in connection with this matter. At October 31, 2002, the Company had established a reserve of $154,000 on its financial statements for the remaining liability. In January 2003, Medicare determined that the remaining overpayment was $78,684 and interest on this amount was $2,392. The total amount of $81,076 was remitted by the Company to Medicare in January 2003, bringing the matter to a close.

        We intend to expand our laboratory operations through aggressive marketing while also diversifying into related medical fields through acquisitions. These acquisitions may involve cash, notes, common stock, and/or combinations thereof.

        We have various employment and consulting agreements with commitments totaling approximately $6,282,000 over the next five years of which approximately $2,968,000 is due during fiscal 2003.We have capitalized leases with commitments totaling approximately $2,006,000 of which approximately $748,000 is due during fiscal 2003. We have operating leases with commitments totaling approximately $9,380,000 of which approximately $3,444,000 is due during fiscal 2003.

        Our cash balance at January 31, 2003 totaled approximately $3,926,000 as compared to approximately $3,403,000 at October 31, 2002. We believe that our cash position, the anticipated cash generated from future operations, and the availability of our credit line with PNC Bank, will meet our anticipated cash needs in fiscal 2003.

Impact of Inflation—To date, inflation has not had a material effect on our operations.

New Authoritative Pronouncements

        The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") has issued Statement No. 143 "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations" in June 2001, which requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement legal obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002.

        In August 2001, FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." This statement retains the requirements of SFAS No. 121 but removes goodwill from its scope and describes a probability-weighted cash flow estimation approach in evaluating possible future cash flows to be used in impairment testing. Provisions of this statement are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001, and interim periods within those fiscal years.

        In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, "Rescission of FASB Statements No. 14, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections" (ASFAS 145"). SFAS 145 among other things rescinds SFAS No. 4, "Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt" ("SFAS 4"), and SFAS No. 64, "Extinguishments of Debt Made to Satisfy Sinking—Fund Requirements" ("SFAS 64") and amends SFAS No. 13, "Accounting for Leases" ("SFAS 13"). This statement updates, clarifies and simplifies existing accounting pronouncements. As a result of rescinding SFAS 4 and SFAS

12



64, the criteria in APB No. 30, "Reporting the Results of Operations—Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Event and Transactions," will be used to classify gains and losses from extinguishment of debt. SFAS 13 was amended to eliminate an inconsistency between the required accounting for sale-leaseback transactions and the required accounting for certain lease modifications that have economic effects that are similar to sale-leaseback transactions and makes technical corrections to existing pronouncements. The provisions of SFAS 145 are effective for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002, with earlier application encouraged. The Company adopted SFAS 145 effective November 1, 2002 and made the necessary reclassifications in its consolidated statements of operations. Management believes that the adoption of SFAS 145 will not have a material impact on the Company's financial position.

        In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" ("SFAS 146"), which addresses the recognition, measurement, and reporting of costs associated with exit or disposal activities, and supercedes Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue No. 94-3, "Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring)" ("EITF 94-3"). The principal difference between SFAS 146 and EITF 94-3 relates to the requirements for recognition of a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity. SFAS 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity, including those related to employee termination benefits and obligations under operating leases and other contracts, be recognized when the liability is incurred, and not necessarily the date of an entity's commitment to an exit plan, as under EITF 94-3. SFAS 146 also establishes that the initial measurement of a liability recognized under SFAS 146 be based on fair value. The provisions of SFAS 146 are effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002, with early application encouraged.

        In December 2002, FASB Statement No. 148 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure" was issued as an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123. Provisions of Statement No. 148 provide for alternate methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, Statement No. 148 amends the disclosure requirements of Statement No. 123 to require prominent disclosure in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reporting results. Statement No. 148 is effective for entities with a fiscal year ending after December 15, 2002. Certain disclosure requirement under Statement No. 148 are effective for financial reports containing condensed financial statements for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2002.


Item 4—CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

        (a)    Explanation of disclosure controls and procedures.    The Company's chief executive officer and its chief financial officer after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(c) and 15-d-14(c) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date") have concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to them by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report was being prepared.

        (b)    Changes in internal controls.    There were no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the Company's disclosure controls and procedures subsequent to the Evaluation Date, nor any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in such disclosure controls and procedures requiring corrective actions. As a result, no corrective actions were taken.

13




PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6    EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

14



SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

  BIO-REFERENCE LABORATORIES, INC.
(Registrant)

 

/s/  
MARC D. GRODMAN, M.D.      
Marc D. Grodman, M.D.
President

 

/s/  
SAM SINGER      
Sam Singer
Chief Financial and Accounting Officer

Date: March 10, 2003

15



CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION

        I, Marc D. Grodman, Chief Executive Officer of Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc. (the "Company") do hereby certify that:

        (1)  I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period ended January 31, 2003;

        (2)  Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

        (3)  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the period presented in this quarterly report;

        (4)  The Company's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the Company and we have:

        (5)  The Company's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the Company's auditors and the audit committee of the Company's board of directors:

        (6)  The Company's other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Dated: March 5, 2003

    /s/  MARC D. GRODMAN      
Marc D. Grodman
Chief Executive Officer
Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc.


CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION

        I, Sam Singer, Chief Financial Officer of Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc. (the "Company") do hereby certify that:

        (1)  I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period ended January 31, 2003;

        (2)  Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

        (3)  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the period presented in this quarterly report;

        (4)  The Company's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the Company and we have:

        (5)  The Company's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the Company's auditors and the audit committee of the Company's board of directors:

        (6)  The Company's other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Dated: March 5, 2003

    /s/  SAM SINGER      
Sam Singer
Chief Financial Officer
Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc.


CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

        I, Marc D. Grodman, Chief Executive Officer of Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc. (the "Company"), do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

Dated: March 5, 2003

    /s/  MARC D. GRODMAN      
Marc D. Grodman
Chief Executive Officer
Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc.


CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

        I, Sam Singer, Chief Financial Officer of Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc. (the "Company"), do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

Dated: March 5, 3003

    /s/  SAM SINGER      
Sam Singer
Chief Financial Officer
Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc.



QuickLinks

BIO-REFERENCE, LABORATORIES, INC. FORM 10-Q JANUARY 31, 2003
I N D E X
BIO-REFERENCE LABORATORIES, INC. BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
BIO-REFERENCE LABORATORIES, INC. BALANCE SHEETS
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
BIO-REFERENCE LABORATORIES, INC. STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
BIO-REFERENCE LABORATORIES, INC. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
BIO-REFERENCE LABORATORIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS RESULTS OF OPERATIONS COMPARISON OF FIRST QUARTER 2003 VS FIRST QUARTER 2002
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
SIGNATURES
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002