UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K

[Mark One]

x  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008

OR

o  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 159d) OF THE SEUCIRITES

EXHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from             to             

Commission file number 0-15266

BIO-REFERENCE LABORATORIES, INC.

481 Edward H. Ross Drive, Elmwood Park, New Jersey  07407

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number 201-791-2600

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:    None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o  No x.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o  No x.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 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 x  No o.

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or in any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer.” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o  No x.

The aggregate market value of the voting stock of Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc. (consisting of Common Stock, $.01 par value) held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $297,400,000 based upon the last sale price for the Common Stock on April 30, 2008, the last trading date of the registrant’s most recently completed second quarter, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market System.

On January 5, 2009, there were 13,788,343 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding

PART I

Item. 1. - Business

Overview

We believe that we are the largest independent regional clinical laboratory servicing the greater New York metropolitan area. We offer a comprehensive list of laboratory testing services utilized by healthcare providers in the detection, diagnosis, evaluation, monitoring and treatment of diseases.

We currently process nearly 4.1 million requisitions each year. A requisition form accompanies a patient specimen. It indicates the tests to be performed and the party to be invoiced for the tests. Our clients include doctors, employers, clinics and governmental units. We have a network of over 50 patient service centers for collection of patient specimens.

In 2006 we acquired GeneDx, a diagnostic genetic testing laboratory providing services to national and international customers. GeneDx specializes in testing for rare and complex genetic conditions through the use of DNA sequencing. In 2007 we introduced the first commercially available genome-wide oligonucleotide microarray analysis testing useful for the diagnosis of, among other conditions, developmental disorders, which has significantly grown GeneDx’s business. The success and growth of GeneDx can be attributed to both the unique nature of our testing and the highly experienced clinicians and researchers who run the business.

In addition to our clinical testing operations, we operate a clinical knowledge management service through our PSIMedica business unit.  This system uses customer data from laboratory results, pharmaceutical data, claims data and other data sources to provide administrative and clinical decision support systems which enable our customers to provide quality and efficient healthcare to their populations.

We also operate a web-based connectivity portal solution for laboratories and physicians through our CareEvolve subsidiary. We use this portal ourselves to provide laboratory ordering and results to our physician customers.  We are also marketing this connectivity solution to other laboratories throughout the country.

We are a New Jersey corporation. We may at times refer to ourselves and our subsidiaries as the “Company.” We are the successor to Med-Mobile, Inc., a New Jersey corporation that was organized in 1981. Our executive offices are located at 481 Edward H. Ross Drive, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407, telephone number: 201-791-2600.

The Clinical Laboratory Testing Market in the United States

We believe that the U.S. market for clinical laboratory testing generates approximately $52 billion in annual revenue.  Nearly all laboratory tests are performed by one of three types of laboratories: hospital laboratories, physician office laboratories or independent clinical laboratories. We believe approximately 55% of the clinical laboratory tests done in the United States are currently performed in a hospital laboratory, approximately 40% performed by an independent clinical laboratory and the balance in a physician office or other laboratory.

During the last few years, the economic fundamentals of the industry have been improving. In the cost containment era of the 1990s, the industry was negatively impacted by the rapid growth of managed care, stringent government regulation and investigations into fraud and abuse. These factors led to revenue and profit declines and industry consolidations, especially among commercial clinical laboratories. As a result, fewer but larger clinical laboratories have emerged with greater economies of scale, more effective compliance with government billing regulation and other laws and a better approach to pricing their services. These changes resulted in improved profitability.  In addition, new and emerging technologies continue to provide greater testing opportunities for clinical laboratories.

We believe the industry will continue to experience growth in testing volume due to the following:

Aging of the population of the United States;

Awareness by patients of the value of laboratory tests;

Decrease in the cost of tests;

Decrease in the influence of managed care organizations on the ordering patterns of their physicians;

Development of sophisticated and specialized tests for early detection of disease and disease management;

Diagnosis and monitoring of infectious diseases such as AIDS and Hepatitis C;

Early detection and prevention as a means of reducing healthcare costs;

Employer sponsored wellness programs;

Research and development in genomics.

Business Strategy

We are a regional clinical laboratory with subspecialty testing capabilities. As a regional laboratory, we service the New York metropolitan area, and currently conduct business in most New York State counties, as well as in most of New Jersey and some parts of Pennsylvania and Connecticut. We primarily offer laboratory services to physician offices in these areas with an infrastructure that includes a comprehensive logistical department, extensive phlebotomy services and phlebotomy draw stations scattered around our geographic area. We have also developed expertise in certain testing areas with specific emphasis in cancer pathology and diagnostics as well as molecular diagnostics. These services are marketed as a business unit, called GenPath, which services customers outside of routine physician office testing. Through the acquisition of the operating assets of GeneDx, we have acquired expertise and credibility in the area of genetic diagnostic testing and we intend to leverage that resource in the development of expanded genetic diagnostic testing. We have developed certain specialized markets, such as in the areas of correctional health, substance abuse testing, fertility testing and molecular diagnostics. Testing in these areas also may be supported outside of physician offices.

We have one of the largest regional marketing staffs of any laboratory in the country, some of whom are trained specifically in Oncology and call on Oncology practices and hospitals.

              We believe that our large marketing staff and strong infrastructure within our designated area can be leveraged to bring new technologies to physicians and healthcare providers. Over the past year, our volume of testing in the area of molecular diagnostics has increased.  We believe that laboratory data has great value in managing the healthcare of a population, but can only be properly utilized when combined with medical claims and pharmacy data. Our medical information unit, PSIMedica, seeks to combine laboratory data with these other data elements in order to provide information analytics that will help to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare. We seek to continue our strong growth not only through our marketing organization, new technologies and superior service, but by providing value added analytics in conjunction with laboratory results.

Our mission is to be recognized by our clients as the best provider of clinical laboratory testing, information and related services. The principal components of our strategy to achieve our mission are as follows:

Capitalize on our position within the clinical market

Lead in the providing of medical information

Provide the highest quality service

Pursue strategic growth opportunities

2

Services

The clinical laboratory testing business consists of routine testing and esoteric testing. Routine testing generates approximately 50% and esoteric testing generates approximately 50% of our net revenues. The net revenue generated by our GeneDx and our CareEvolve subsidiaries were 3.94% and .82% in fiscal 2007, respectively and 5.7% and .74% in fiscal 2008, respectively as a percentage of total revenue.

Routine Testing

Routine tests measure various health parameters such as the functions of the heart, kidney, liver, thyroid and other organs. Below is an abbreviated list of some commonly ordered tests:

Blood Cell Counts

Cholesterol levels

HIV-related tests

Pap Smears

Pregnancy

Substance Abuse

Urinalysis

We perform these tests at our main processing facility in Elmwood Park, New Jersey.

We operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We perform and report most routine tests within 24 hours. Tests results are delivered via driver or electronically.

Esoteric Tests

We also perform esoteric tests that require sophisticated equipment and materials, highly skilled personnel, professional attention and which are ordered less frequently than routine tests. These tests are generally priced higher than routine tests. Esoteric tests are usually in these medical fields:

Endocrinology (the study of glands and their hormone secretions)

Genetics (the study of chromosomes, genes and their protein products)

Immunology (the study of the immune system)

Microbiology (the study of microscopic forms of life)

Oncology (the study of abnormal cell growth)

Serology (the study of body fluids)

Toxicology (the study of chemicals and drugs and their effects on the body)

We perform cancer cytogenetic testing at our leased facilities in Elmwood Park, NJ and Milford, Massachusetts and genetic testing at our GeneDx leased facilities in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Medical Information

Our PSIMedica business unit is based on a Clinical Knowledge Management (“CKM”) System that uses data derived from various disparate sources to provide both administrative and clinical analysis of a population. The source data consists of enrollment (demographic) data, claims data, pharmacy data, laboratory results data, and any other data that may be available. The system uses sophisticated algorithms to cleanse and configure the data so that analysis can be comprehensive and meaningful. The data is maintained on multiple levels of analysis enabling review of data from the global level to the granular transactional detail.  The system includes a base set of queries that provide basic functionality and allows on-line real-time ad hoc query capability enabling the user to customize analysis to the best needs of the organization using the system. In addition to the basic queries provided by the system, PSIMedica Quality Indicators (“PQI”) provide comprehensive, disease state oriented queries that disclose the quality and efficiency of the care and service. These indicators have been designed to provide the customer with standards and outcome predictors based on a medical standards basis.  We are using PSIMedica to market value-added clinical laboratory services to bulk purchasers of clinical laboratory solutions, as well as marketing our PSIMedica programs to businesses such as Health Plans, Integrated Delivery Networks, Disease Management Companies, Insurers, Clinical Trial Companies and other healthcare providers that most benefit from the ability of the system to combine both clinical and administrative analysis.

Other Products

CareEvolve, our wholly owned subsidiary, is a physician-based connectivity portal.  This system provides a complex, sophisticated system for ordering laboratory services and delivering laboratory results.  The system is designed to be physician-centric and to provide a highly flexible, scalable, comprehensive desktop solution for physicians to manage their day-to-day practice and personal needs, as well as to handle their clinical laboratory ordering and reporting.  This product has been designed to work as a platform with plug and play capability that can easily be used by other laboratories that also need a web-based solution for their physician customers.

Payors and Clients

We provide laboratory services to a range of healthcare providers. A “payor” is the party who pays for the tests while the “client” is the party that refers the tests to us. We may consider an organization that has a contract with us, such as a clinic or governmental agency, both a payor and a client. Some states, such as New York and New Jersey, prohibit us from billing physician clients. During fiscal year 2008, no single client accounted for more than 10% of our net revenues.

The following table reflects the current estimates of the breakdown of net revenue by payor for the twelve months ended October 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008.

3

Clients

Physicians who order clinical tests for their patients represent one of the primary sources of our testing volume. Fees invoiced to patients and third parties are based on our fee schedule, which may be subject to limitations on fees imposed by third-party payors. Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements are based on fee schedules set by governmental authorities.

Employers, Governmental Agencies

We provide laboratory services to governmental agencies and large employer groups. We believe that we are the largest regional laboratory providing laboratory testing services to correctional facilities in the Northeastern United States. All of these clients are charged on a contractual basis.

Sales and Marketing

We employ full and part-time sales and marketing representatives. All of our sales and marketing personnel operate in a dual capacity, as both marketing and client support representatives. This ensures that all of our salespersons are intimately involved with the client. We believe that this is unique in the industry and is extremely helpful in client retention, since it provides a strong connection between the physician and our staff.

Client Service Coordinators

We utilize the services of full and part-time client service coordinators at our Elmwood Park, Clarksburg and Gaithersburg facilities, all of whom are trained in medical and laboratory terminology. This staff is used as an interface with physicians and nurses and augments the client support provided by our sales force. They also report highly abnormal and life threatening results to the ordering physician immediately via telephone in order to provide speedy medical resolution to any patient problem.

Logistical Support

We employ full and part-time couriers. They pick up patient specimens from and deliver printed reports to physician offices, nursing homes, clinics and correctional facilities.

Strategic Growth Opportunities

Over the last several years, we have experienced substantial growth and have expanded our operational capabilities. In September 2006, we acquired certain assets and liabilities of two Maryland laboratories, a pathology laboratory and a genetics laboratory for $1,500,000 and $10,000,000, respectively. The genetics laboratory purchase agreement contains certain operational targets, which, if achieved in the four years following the closing, could result in an increase in the purchase price from $10,000,000 to a maximum $17,000,000. During the recently completed fiscal year ended October 31, 2008 as well as for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007, the genetics laboratory achieved certain of the targets, entitling the prior owners to receive $1,917,000 in cash and an additional 11,548 shares of our Common Stock with respect to each such year. These amounts have been accrued and are reflected in our financial statements. We retained the staffs of these laboratories and continue to operate at the same locations. We intend to develop further and expand both our core laboratory business and other products. This growth and expansion has placed, and will continue to place, a significant strain on our resources. We cannot assure that we will be able to successfully manage a continuation of the rate of growth similar to that which we have experienced in the past, should such growth occur.

Billing

Billing for laboratory services is extremely complicated. We must bill various payors, such as patients, Medicare, Medicaid, insurance companies and employer groups, all of which have different billing requirements. Compliance with applicable laws and regulations as well as internal compliance procedures adds complexity to this process.

Our bad debt expense is the result of issues that are not credit-related as is the case in most industries. It is due in most part to missing or incorrect billing information on our requisitions; this occurs because we depend on the healthcare provider to supply us with the information. We perform the tests and report the test results as requested on the requisition regardless of whether the demographic information is correct or even missing altogether. We then attempt to obtain any missing information and correct the billing information received from the healthcare provider. This adds to the complexity, slows the invoicing process, and generally increases the aging of our accounts receivable. When all issues are not resolved in a timely manner, the item is written-off to bad debt expense through the allowance for doubtful accounts. Other items such as pricing differences and payor disputes also complicate billing. Adjustments to receivables as a result of these types of matters are accounted for as revenue adjustments and are not written-off to bad debt expense.

Competition

We compete with three types of providers in a highly fragmented and competitive industry: hospital laboratories, physician-office laboratories and other independent clinical laboratories. Our major competitors in the New York metropolitan area are Quest Diagnostics and Laboratory Corporation of America. Although we are much smaller than these national laboratories, we believe that we compete successfully with them in our region because of the following factors:

Fewer layers of staff

A more responsive business atmosphere

Customized service

We believe our responses to medical consultation are faster and more personalized than those of the national laboratories. Our client service staff only deals with basic technical questions and those that have medical or scientific significance are referred directly to our senior scientists and medical staff.

Quality Assurance

                Medical testing is essentially a process of communication and data transfer. In order to provide accurate and precise information to the physician, it is essential that we maintain a well structured and vigorous quality assurance program. Our goal is to continually improve this process. We hold the required Federal and State licenses necessary to permit our operation of a clinical laboratory at our facilities in New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Massachusetts. We submit to vigorous proficiency tests (or surveys) in all tests that we perform. We are also subject to unannounced inspections from the various state licensing agencies.

Our laboratories are accredited by the College of American Pathologists (“CAP”). This accreditation includes on-site inspections and participation in the CAP proficiency testing program or an equivalent. CAP is an independent organization of board certified pathologists approved by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) to inspect clinical laboratories in order to determine compliance with the standards required by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (“CLIA-88”).

Our Quality Assurance Committee, headed by a Quality Assurance Coordinator and composed of supervisors from all departments, meets daily to assess and evaluate the laboratory’s quality.  Based on the information received from the Committee, recommendations are made to correct conditions which have led to errors.  Management, department supervisors and members of the Committee continually monitor the laboratory’s quality.

4

Depending on the test, two or three levels of Quality Control materials are run in each analytical assay to assure precision and accuracy.  Patient population statistics are evaluated each day. Testing of highly abnormal samples is repeated to assure accuracy.

We believe that all of these procedures are necessary, not only in assuring a quality product, but also in maintaining Federal and state licensing.  These high standards of quality are an important factor in what we regard as our excellent rate of client retention.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Report, including without limitation, statements regarding our financial position, business strategy, products, products under development, markets, budgets and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are disclosed in statements set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” herein and elsewhere in this Report, including, without limitation, in conjunction with the forward-looking statements included in this Report. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the enumerated Risk Factors and such other statements.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Because of the following factors, as well as of the factors affecting our operating results and financial condition, financial performance should not be considered to be a reliable indicator of future performance. Investors should not use historical trends to anticipate results in future periods. See also “Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements”.

Regulation of Clinical Laboratory Operations

The clinical laboratory industry is highly regulated and subjected to significant Federal and state regulation. This includes inspections and audits by governmental agencies. These agencies may impose fines, criminal penalties, or other enforcement actions to enforce laws and regulations. These penalties can include revocation of a clinical laboratory’s license. Changes in regulations may increase the cost of testing or processing claims.

Waste management is subject to Federal and state regulations governing the transportation and disposal of medical waste including bodily fluids.  Federal regulations require licensure of interstate transporters of medical waste. In New Jersey, we are subject to the Comprehensive Medical Waste Management Act, (“CMWMA”), which requires us to register as a generator of special medical waste. All of our medical waste is disposed of by a licensed interstate hauler.  The hauler provides a manifest of the disposition of the waste products as well as a certificate of incineration which is retained by us. These records are audited by the State of New Jersey on a yearly basis. We are also subject to Federal requirements. The Federal Hazardous materials transportation law, 49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq., and the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), 49 CFR parts 171-180. The Federal government has classified hazardous medical waste as hazardous materials for the purpose of regulation. These regulations preempt State regulation which must be “substantively the same,” “the non-Federal requirement must conform “in every significant respect to the Federal requirement. Editorial and other similar de minimis changes are permitted.” 49 CFR 107.202(d). The amendments to provisions in 49 U.S.C., 5125 reaffirmed the need to achieve greater uniformity and to promote the public health, welfare, and safety at all levels, Federal standards for regulating the transportation of hazardous materials in intrastate, interstate, and foreign commerce are necessary and desirable. We believe we are in compliance with all Federal and State medical waste regulations.

Regulation of Reimbursement for Laboratory Services

Containment of health-care costs, including reimbursement for clinical laboratory services, has been a focus of ongoing governmental activity.  Omnibus budget reconciliation legislation, designed to “reconcile” existing laws with reductions and reimbursements required by enactment of a Congressional budget can adversely affect clinical laboratories by reducing Medicare reimbursement for laboratory services. For most of the tests performed for Medicare beneficiaries or Medicaid recipients, laboratories are required to bill Medicare or Medicaid directly, and to accept Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement as payment in full.

The current administration, Congress and various Federal agencies have examined the rapid growth of Federal expenditures for clinical laboratory services, and the use by the major clinical laboratories of dual fee schedules (“client” fees charged to physicians, hospitals, institutions and companies with whom a laboratory deals on a bulk basis and which involve relatively low administrative costs, and “patient” fees charged to individual patients and third party payors, including Medicare, who generally require separate bills or claims for each patient encounter and which involve relatively high administrative costs).  The permitted Medicare reimbursement rate for clinical laboratory services has been reduced by the Federal government in a number of instances over the past several years to a present level equal to 74% of the national median of laboratory charges. Calendar year 2008 marked the final year of a five-year freeze on Laboratory fee updates, as required by the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. A number of proposals for legislation or regulation are under discussion which could have the effect of substantially reducing Medicare reimbursements to clinical laboratories through reduction of the present allowable percentage or through other means.  In addition, the structure and nature of Medicare reimbursement for laboratory services is also under discussion and we are unable to predict the outcome of these discussions. Depending upon the nature of congressional and/or regulatory action, if any, which is taken and the content of legislation, if any, which is adopted, we could experience a significant decrease in revenues from Medicare and Medicaid, which could have a material adverse effect on us.  For the first time in five years, as of January 1, 2009, laboratories will receive a 4.5% across the board increase in reimbursements.

CLIA-88

                CLIA-88 extended Federal licensing requirements to all clinical laboratories (regardless of the location, size or type of laboratory), including those operated by physicians in their offices, based on the complexity of the tests they perform.  The legislation also substantially increased regulation of cytology screening, most notably by requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services, (“HHS”) to implement regulations placing a limit on the number of slides that a cytotechnologist may review in a twenty-four hour period.  CLIA-88 also established a more stringent proficiency testing program for laboratories and increased the range and severity of sanctions for violating Federal licensing requirements.  A number of these provisions, including those that imposed stricter cytology standards and increased proficiency testing, have been implemented by regulations applicable only to laboratories subject to Medicare certification. On February 28, 1992, HHS published three sets of regulations implementing CLIA-88, including quality standard regulations establishing Federal quality standards for all clinical laboratories; application and user fee regulations applicable to most laboratories in the United States which became effective on March 30 1993; and enforcement procedure regulations applicable to laboratories that are found not to meet CLIA-88 requirements.  The quality standard regulations establish varying levels of regulatory scrutiny depending upon the complexity of testing performed.  Under these regulations, a laboratory that performs only one or more of seventy eight routine “waived” tests may apply for a waiver from most requirements of CLIA-88.  We believe that most tests performed by physician office laboratories will fall into either the “waived” or the “moderately complex” category.  The latter category applies to simple or automated tests and generally permits existing personnel in physicians’ offices to continue to perform testing under the implementation of systems that insure the integrity and accurate reporting of results, establishment of quality control systems, proficiency testing by approved agencies, and biannual inspection.  Our testing is often much more complex and as a result, we are subject to full compliance with CLIA-88. The quality standard and enforcement procedure regulations became effective on September 1, 1992, most personnel, quality control and proficiency testing requirements have been implemented; the remainder will be phased in over a number of years.  Our laboratory completed its first CLIA inspection under CLIA-88 guidelines and received its certificate of compliance effective February 7, 1996. It has been reinspected since on a bi-annual basis and found to be in compliance.

5

Compliance Program

The Office of Inspector General has published a Model Compliance Program for the clinical laboratory industry. This is a voluntary program for laboratories to demonstrate to the Federal government that they are responsible providers. We have implemented a voluntary compliance program adhering to the standards set forth in the Model Compliance Program.

Confidentiality of Health Information

Pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), on December 28, 2000, the Secretary of HHS issued final regulations that would establish comprehensive federal standards with respect to the use and disclosure of protected health information by a health plan, healthcare provider or healthcare data clearinghouse. The regulations establish a regulatory framework on various subject matter, including:

The circumstances under which disclosures and uses of protected health information require the patient’s consent, or authorization or no patient consent or authorization.

The content of notices of privacy practices for protected health data.

Patients’ rights to access, amend and receive an accounting of the disclosures and uses of protected health information.

Administrative, technical and physical safeguards required for that use or for disclosure of protected health data.

These regulations establish a “minimum” and would default to more stringent state laws. Therefore, we are required to comply with both sets of standards. Laboratories were required to submit a compliance plan to HHS by October 16, 2003.  We filed our application for a one year extension for compliance with the Transaction Data Set Regulations and filed our compliance plan during the extension period in accordance with the model form provided by HHS. HIPAA provides for significant fines as well as substantial criminal penalties for violations of the Act.

Laboratory Developed Tests (“LDTs”)

Complex laboratories such as BioReference frequently develop testing procedures to provide diagnostic results to customers for tests which are not available using Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved methods. These tests have been traditionally offered by nearly all complex laboratories for the last few decades. The FDA has been considering changes in the way laboratories are allowed to offer these LDTs. While changes have been considered for some time now, the potential for FDA involvement appears greater now than in the past. Currently all such tests are conducted and offered under approval by CLIA and individual state licensing procedures; the FDA is considering requiring FDA approval on a portion of those currently non-FDA approved tests. There is an associated risk for BioReference that some of the tests that it currently offers might need to be subject to approval by the FDA; there are currently no formal definitions, procedures or FDA processes on how such approvals would be handled.

Fraud and Abuse Regulations

Medicare and Medicaid anti-kickback laws prohibit clinical laboratories from making payments or furnishing other benefits to influence the referral of tests billed to federal programs. Federal enforcement agencies (including both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Inspector General) liberally interpret and aggressively enforce statutory fraud and abuse provisions of these anti-kickback statutes. According to public statements made by the Department of Justice, healthcare fraud has become one of its highest priorities. Many of the anti-fraud statutes are vague or indefinite and have not been interpreted in the courts.  We believe we operate lawfully within these statutes; however, we cannot predict if some of our practices may be interpreted as violating these statutes and regulations.

Intellectual Property

BioReference, primarily through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GeneDx, but additionally through its primary laboratory in Elmwood Park has in the past, and may in the future, have the need to deal with intellectual property issues, such as patent issues, trademark issues and copyright issues. BioReference diligently researches all matters that may give rise to an intellectual property issue and has taken substantial legal steps to make sure that all such matters are fully considered and understood. In certain instances the issues are not apparent and in some other cases, BioReference believes that the current intellectual property law may not be appropriate to current conditions or may be in a transitional state of change and BioReference may challenge the law in such instances. There is an associated risk with such challenges that could force BioReference to stop or change a testing procedure in certain instances or could possibly result in financial expense as a result of the Company’s decision.

Insurance

We maintain professional liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence, $3,000,000 in the aggregate. In addition, we maintain excess commercial insurance of $5,000,000 per occurrence and $5,000,000 in the aggregate. We believe that our present insurance coverage is sufficient to cover currently estimated exposures, but we cannot assure that we will not incur liabilities in excess of the policy limits.  In addition, although we believe that we will be able to continue to obtain adequate insurance coverage, we cannot assure that we will be able to do so at acceptable cost.

Employees

At October 31, 2008, we had 1,484 full-time and 423 part-time employees serving in executive positions, as technicians and technologists (including physicians, pathologists and PhDs), in marketing and as drivers and in bookkeeping, clerical and administrative positions. None of our employees are represented by a labor union. We regard relations with our employees as satisfactory.

Risks Associated with Growth:

                Over the last several years, we have experienced substantial growth and have expanded our operational capabilities. In September 2006, we acquired certain assets and liabilities of two Maryland laboratories, a pathology laboratory and a genetics laboratory for $1,500,000 and $10,000,000, respectively. The genetics laboratory purchase agreement contains certain operational targets, which, if achieved in the next four years could result in an increase in the purchase price from $10,000,000 to a maximum $17,000,000. During the recently completed fiscal year ended October 31, 2008 as well as for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007, the genetics laboratory achieved certain of the targets, entitling the prior owners to receive $1,917,000 in cash and an additional 11,548 shares of our Common Stock with respect to each such year. These amounts have been accrued and are reflected in our financial statements. We retained the staffs of these laboratories and continue to operate at the same locations. We intend to develop further and expand both our core laboratory business and other products. This growth and expansion has placed, and will continue to place, a significant strain on our resources. We cannot assure that we will be able to successfully manage a continuation of the rate of growth similar to that which we have experienced in the past, should such growth occur.

Fluctuations in Operating Results:

Our quarterly and annual operating results can be affected by a wide variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control and which have in the past and could in the future materially and adversely affect our operating results. These factors include the quantities and timing of specimens received, pricing pressures, reimbursement changes, availability and cost of diagnostic supplies, cost of logistic and delivery systems, changes in product mix, retention and expansion of our marketing staff, timing of payments from governmental agencies and third-party payors and the effect of adverse weather conditions. We rely principally upon our internal logistic group for pick-up and delivery of specimens. However, as we shift our product mix we have begun to rely on Federal Express, UPS and other such providers for this service. Any disruption in this service, as occurred on

6

September 11, 2001 when the National Airspace System (“NAS”) was shut down for a week, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. As a result of these factors, our operating results may continue to fluctuate in the future.

Uncertainties Related to Government Regulation and Enforcement

We are a provider of healthcare services. As such, we are subject to extensive and rapidly changing federal, state and local laws and regulations governing licensure, billing practices, financial relationships, referrals, conduct of operations, purchase of existing businesses and other aspects of our business. We cannot predict the timing or impact of any changes in these laws and regulations or their interpretations by regulatory bodies, and we cannot assure that these changes will not have a material adverse effect on us.

Current federal laws governing federal healthcare programs, as well as some state laws, regulate certain aspects of the relationship between healthcare providers, including us, and their referral sources. The Federal Anti-Kickback Law and the Stark Law generally prohibit providers and others from soliciting, offering, receiving or paying, directly or indirectly, any monies in return for either making a referral for a service or item or purchasing, ordering or leasing a service or item, and prohibits physicians from making such referrals to entities in which they have an investment interest or with which they have a compensation arrangement. Exceptions to these laws are limited. Violations are punishable by disallowance of claims, civil monetary or criminal penalties and or exclusion from Medicare. Government authorities (both federal and state) have become more aggressive in examining laboratory billing practices, and in seeking repayments and even penalties based on how the services were billed, regardless of whether the carriers had furnished clear guidance.

In addition, our laboratory operations are required to be licensed or certified under CLIA-88, CMS (Medicare) and various State and local laws. We are also subject to federal and state laws relating to the handling and disposal of medical waste and radioactive materials, as well as the safety and health of laboratory employees. Although we seek to structure our practices to comply with these laws and regulations, no assurances can be given regarding compliance in any given situation. The possible sanctions for failure to comply with these laws and regulations may include the denial to conduct business, significant fines and criminal penalties. Any significant fine or criminal penalty could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. Any exclusion or suspension from participation in a CMS program, any loss of licensure or accreditation or the inability to obtain the required license would have a material adverse effect on our business.

Uncertainties Related to Third-Party Payors

We typically bill third party payors such as Medicare, Medicaid, Governmental programs and private insurers for our services. Such third party payors are constantly negotiating prices with the goal of lowering their costs, which may result in lower profit margins for us. Reimbursement rates have been established for most, but not every service. We cannot collect from third party payors for services that these payors have not approved for reimbursement. As is common with all laboratories, there is a certain amount of variability with respect to reimbursement among third party payors. Furthermore, third party payors have, on occasion ceased reimbursements when certain tests are ordered for patients with certain diagnoses while maintaining reimbursement when those tests are ordered for other diagnoses deemed appropriate by the carrier. In addition, Medicare or Medicaid may retroactively audit its payments to us and may determine that certain payments must be returned.

Potential Healthcare Reform Including Decreasing Reimbursement Rates

                        The public and the federal government continue to focus attention on reforming the healthcare system in the United States. At the beginning of calendar year 2005, CMS announced significant cuts to Medicare reimbursement rates for flow cytometry testing. We benefited from a partial restoration of the former reimbursement rates in fiscal 2007. Furthermore, several legislative proposals have been introduced in Congress and state legislatures in recent years that would effect major reforms of the healthcare systems. In addition, CMS has made a number of proposals regarding the payment and coverage of laboratory services including the development of national coverage policies. Because of the uncertainties in regard to the nature, timing and extent of any such reimbursement changes, audits and reform initiatives, we are unable to predict the effect of these changes on us. For the first time in five years, as of January 1, 2009, laboratories will receive a 4.5% across the board increase in reimbursements.

Uncertainties Related to Accounts Receivable

All of our services are rendered based upon a fee for services list. We assume the financial risk related to collection of these receivables such as:

Delays attendant to reimbursement by third party payors

Difficulties in gathering complete and accurate billing information

Inability to collect accounts

Long collection cycles

There have been times when our accounts receivable have increased at a greater rate than revenue growth and, therefore, has adversely affected our cash flow from operations. We have taken steps to implement systems and processing changes intended to improve billing procedures and related collection results. We believe that we have made progress by reorganizing our accounts receivable and billing functions and that our allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate. However, we cannot assure that our ongoing assessment of accounts receivable will not result in the need for additional provisions. Such additional provisions, if implemented, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

Competition

We operate in a business which is characterized by intense competition. Our major competitors in the New York metropolitan area, Quest Diagnostics and Laboratory Corporation of America, are large national laboratories which possess greater name recognition, larger customer bases, significantly greater financial resources and employ substantially more personnel than we do. Many of our competitors have long established relationships. We cannot give assurances that we will be able to compete successfully with such entities in the future. Our ability to attract and retain sales representatives and management may also affect our ability to compete in this marketplace.

Dependence on Bank Financing

In May 2008, the Company entered into an amended revolving note payable loan agreement with PNC Bank, N.A. (“the bank”).  The maximum amount of the credit line available to the Company pursuant to the loan agreement is the lesser of (i) $40,000,000 or (ii) 50% of the Company’s qualified accounts receivable [as defined in the agreement].  The amendment to the Loan and Security Agreement provides for interest on advances to be subject to the bank’s prime rate or the Eurodollar rate of interest plus, in certain instances, an additional interest percentage.  The additional interest percentage charges on Eurodollar borrowings range from 1% to 4% and are determined based upon certain financial ratios achieved by the Company.  At October 31, 2008, the Company had elected to have all of the total advances outstanding to be subject to the bank’s prime rate of interest of 4.0%.  The credit line is collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets. The line of credit is available through October 2012 and may be extended for annual periods by mutual consent, thereafter.  The terms of this agreement contain, among other provisions, requirements for maintaining defined levels of capital expenditures, fixed charge coverage, and the prohibition of the payment by the Company of cash dividends. As of October 31, 2008, the Company was utilizing $18,831,000 of the available credit under this revolving note payable loan agreement.

7

Effective as of October 31, 2007, we executed a fifth amendment to the loan agreement formalizing the repayment terms of a $5 million term loan from PNC Bank used by our wholly-owned subsidiary, BRLI No. 2 Acquisition Corp. to fund the $5 million acquisition Cash Payment in connection with the purchase of the operating assets of GeneDx. The term loan is evidenced by a secured promissory note payable over a six year term in equal monthly principal payments of $69,000, plus interest at an annual rate of 6.85%.  The balance on this note as of October 31, 2008 was approximately $3,333,000.

In January 2007, the Company issued a ten year term note of $4,100,000 for the financing of equipment.  The note is payable in equal monthly installments of $47,000 including principal and interest, with payment commencing on March 1, 2007 at an effective interest rate of 6.63% per annum.  The balance on this note as of October 31, 2008 was approximately $3,564,000.

Dependence on our Chief Executive Officer

Our success is substantially dependent on the efforts and abilities of Marc D.  Grodman, M.D., our founder, president and chief executive officer. The unavailability of Dr. Grodman, whether as a result of his death, disability or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect upon our business.

Possible Volatility of Stock Price

There is a history of volatility in the market price for shares of companies in the healthcare marketplace. Factors such as fluctuations in our quarterly revenues and operating results, announcements of new innovations or services by us or our competitors, changes in third party payment policies and government regulations may have a material effect on the market price of our Common Stock. In addition, any announcement of a material pending legal action could have a negative impact on the market price of our Common Stock regardless of the outcome of any such matter.

Factors In Place To Discourage Takeover Attempts

The substantial percentage ownership of our outstanding Common Stock by our executive officers and directors; our charter provision providing for a staggered board of directors so that only one-third of the board is elected each year to serve a three year term; and the requirement that the holders of not less than 80% of our outstanding Common Stock must approve any merger, consolidation, asset sale or acquisition of the Company not approved by the board of directors may discourage attempts by third parties to tender for or otherwise obtain control of the Company, even if such an attempt might be deemed beneficial to the Company and its shareholders. See Item 11 — “Employment Agreements with Executive Officers” as to employment agreements signed by the Company which provide for substantial Severance Payments upon termination of employment in the event of a Change in Control of the Company. These Severance Payment provisions may also discourage attempts by third parties to tender for or otherwise obtain control of the Company.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

The Company has received a comment letter from the staff (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commissions regarding its periodic and current reports under the Exchange Act. Two of the comments have not yet been resolved.

The first comment related to the provision in the GeneDx acquisition agreement which required the stock portion of the upside contingent purchase price to be valued at the value per share of the closing date stock value (i.e. $21.65 per share). The Staff contends that the value of the stock portion of the upside contingent purchase price payments should be determined based on its fair value when the contingency is resolved. It is the Company’s position that any revaluation of the stock portion of the upside contingent purchase price payment would be quantitatively insignificant and would have no material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

The second comment requested an analysis to support the Company’s position that segment reporting is not required for its GeneDx and CareEvolve operations. The Company is in the process of responding to this comment. The Company’s position is that the threshold levels have not been exceeded requiring segment reporting for these two operations. GeneDx’s and CareEvolve’s revenues in fiscal 2007 were less than 4% and 1% and in fiscal 2008, less than 6%, and 1%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenues. In addition, BioReference and GeneDx basically provide laboratory testing services to the same class of customers and must meet similar regulatory requirements. The Company also believes that GeneDx and BioReference have other similar economic characteristics so that separate segment reporting for GeneDx is not required.

Item 2. - Properties

We operate through a regional network of laboratories. The table below summarizes certain information as to our principal facilities as of October 31, 2008.

We believe that each of these facilities as presently equipped has the production capacity for its currently foreseeable level of operations. We also lease additional relatively small draw stations throughout the New York metropolitan area to collect specimens from physician-referred patients for testing at our processing facilities.

Item 3. - Legal Proceedings

 At October 31, 2008 and at the date of this Report, we were not involved in any material legal proceedings.

Item 4. - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 No matter was submitted to a vote of our security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.

8

PART II

Item 5. - Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity

Our Common Stock is listed for trading on The NASDAQ Global Market System under the symbol “BRLI”. It traded on the NASDAQ Small Cap System from November 24, 1993 until March 26, 2002 when our application to list our Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Market System was approved.

The following table sets forth the range of high and low closing bid prices for our Common Stock for the periods indicated, as derived from reports furnished by Pink Sheets LLC. Such quotations represent prices between dealers, do not include mark-ups, mark-downs or commissions and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

On January 9, 2009 the last sale price for the Common Stock on NASDAQ was $23.57 per share.

At October 31, 2008, the number of record owners of the Common Stock was 342. Such number of record owners was determined from our shareholder records and does not include beneficial owners whose shares are held in nominee accounts with brokers, dealers, banks and clearing agencies.

Dividends

We have not paid any dividends on our Common Stock since our inception and, do not contemplate or anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, our loan agreement with PNC Bank prohibits us from paying any cash dividends or making any cash distributions with respect to shares of our Common Stock.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

On September 26, 2006 we issued 230,947 shares of our Common Stock in connection with the acquisition of the operating assets of GeneDx. These shares were valued for the purpose of this acquisition at $21.65 per share, the average closing price for the Common Stock on NASDAQ on the ten trading days immediately preceding the August 29, 2006 signing of the purchase agreement. An additional 11,548 shares of our Common Stock were issued to the prior owners of GeneDx in December 2007, as a result of GeneDx achieving certain operating results during the first annual measuring period following the closing of the acquisition.  In December 2008 an additional 11,548 shares of our common stock were issued to the prior owners of GeneDx, as a result of GeneDx achieving certain operating results during the second annual measuring period following the closing of the acquisition.

A restrictive legend was placed on the certificates for the 230,947 shares and each of the 11,548 share installments and stop transfer instructions were issued against the shares. The sellers represented that they were acquiring the stock for investment and not with a view to distribution. The shares were issued in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 in accordance with Section 4(2) of the Act on the basis that the transaction did not involve a public offering.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The information required under this item is disclosed in item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

On October 31, 2007 the June 1, 2005 Board of Directors Authorization for the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock expired.  No shares had been repurchased under this plan.

On July 14, 2008 the Board of Directors authorized a repurchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock over the period ending October 31, 2010.  As of October 31, 2008 the Company repurchased 19,700 shares at a cost of approximately $452,000. The shares were canceled upon repurchase

9

Item 6. -  Selected Financial Data

Item 7. -  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVERVIEW

We are a clinical laboratory located in northeastern New Jersey. Our regional footprint lies within the New York City metropolitan area and the surrounding areas of New Jersey and southern New York State as well eastern Pennsylvania and some areas of western Connecticut; under certain circumstances, we provide services further into New York State, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. As a regional provider, we are a full-service laboratory that primarily services physician office practices; our drivers pick up samples and deliver reports and supplies, we provide sophisticated technical support, phlebotomy services or patient service centers where appropriate, and electronic communication services in many cases. We have also developed a national reputation for our expertise in certain focused areas of clinical testing. GenPath, the label under which we provide our cancer and oncology services, is recognized for the superior hematopathology services it provides throughout the country. Physicians outside of our regional footprint send samples to our laboratory in order to take advantage of the expertise that we are able to provide in blood-based cancer pathology and associated diagnostics. Our correctional healthcare services are used throughout the country at prisons and jails. The focused markets we serve on a national basis outside of our regional footprint do not require many of the logistical and other ancillary support services required within the region. Even within our regional footprint, we provide the same services that we provide on a national basis as well as some regional focused diagnostic services, such as histology and pathology support services, substance abuse testing, fertility testing, hemostasis testing, women’s health testing, and molecular diagnostics that are unavailable from many of the smaller regional competitors; testing in some of these areas may be provided outside of physician offices.

Over the last few years, there have been fundamental changes in the laboratory services industry. In the 1990s, the industry was negatively impacted by the growth of managed care, increased government regulation, and investigations into fraud and abuse. These factors led to revenue and profit declines and industry consolidations, especially among commercial laboratories. There are currently only three publicly-traded full service laboratories operating in the U.S. While that means that the two national mega-laboratories and BioReference Laboratories are the only remaining publicly traded full service commercial laboratories, there are numerous hospital outreach programs and smaller reference laboratories that compete for the commercial clinical laboratory business scattered throughout the country. Clinical laboratories have had to improve efficiency, leverage economies of scale, comply with government regulations and other laws and develop more profitable approaches to pricing. Moreover, there has been a proliferation of technology advancements in clinical diagnostics over the last decade that has created significant opportunities for new testing and growth.

As a full service clinical laboratory, we are constantly looking for new technologies and new methodologies that will help us to grow. Since the turn of the century, our size alone has made us attractive to companies that are driving the advances in technology. We represent a significant opportunity for these companies to market their products in one of the major population centers of the world—the New York Metropolitan area. We have had several successful strategic relationships with such technology opportunities. In addition to new technology opportunities, we have an extremely seasoned and talented management staff that has been able to identify emerging laboratory markets that are under-served or under-utilized. We are currently developing programs for cardiology, histology and women’s health to go along with our existing hemostasis, hematopathology and correctional healthcare initiatives which have already been established and in which we have been increasing our market share for the past several years. We will continue to vigilantly seek focused diagnostic marketing opportunities where we can provide information, technology, service or support that expand and grow our clinical laboratory.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company acquired the operating assets of GeneDx, a leading DNA sequencing laboratory.  As molecular testing in general becomes a more significant element in the diagnostic testing industry, the Company believes that genetic testing will become an essential diagnostic tool of the future.  GeneDx was started by two geneticists from the NIH in 2000.  Over the next six years, based on the reputation and expertise of the founders and the outstanding team they built around themselves, along with a very focused and dedicated understanding of the science of genetics, GeneDx became known as one of the premier genetic testing laboratories for the diagnosis of rare genetic diseases.  The Company believed that the promise of genetic testing is in the diagnosis of the genetic variants of common diseases.  It is the Company’s intention to leverage the expertise and reputation of GeneDx in order to take a leadership role in the expanding area of genetic testing.  The Company is seeking cutting edge methods of testing that will be commercially viable diagnostic tools for the advancement of genetic testing. During the past year, GeneDx introduced GenomeDx, a new test based on CGH Array technology, a high-speed, chip-based technology, that has allowed GeneDx to move to the forefront of an emerging technology platform. The Company is already expanding the menu of tests offered and employing marketing techniques that were extremely successful in building GenPath, our oncology laboratory.  In addition to scientists and technicians to manage testing, GeneDx employs several genetic counselors to help patients and referring physicians and geneticists understand the meaning of the test results.  Prior to the acquisition, GeneDx ‘s revenues and profits were increasing at an accelerating rate. This increase has continued through fiscal 2008.

10

While we recognize that we are a clinical laboratory that processes samples, we also understand that we are an information company that needs to effectively communicate the results of our efforts back to healthcare providers. Laboratory results play a major role in the implementation of physician healthcare. Laboratory results are used to diagnose, monitor and classify health concerns. In many cases, laboratory results represent the confirming data in diagnosing complicated health issues. Since laboratory results play such an important role in routine physician care, we have developed informatics solutions that leverage our role in healthcare. We needed to build a web-based solution to quickly, accurately, conveniently and competitively collect ordering information and deliver results, so we built an internal solution that we call CareEvolve. That solution has been essential to our own operations. We license the technology to other laboratories throughout the country which they utilize to more effectively compete against the national laboratories. These other laboratories licensing our technology are not out competitors since they are outside our regional footprint.

We have also created our PSIMedica business unit which has developed a Clinical Knowledge Management (CKM) System that takes data from enrollment, claims, pharmacy, laboratory results and any other available electronic source to provide both administrative and clinical analysis of a population. The system uses proprietary algorithms to cleanse and configure the data and transfer the resulting information into a healthcare data repository. Using advanced cube technology methodologies, the data can be analyzed from a myriad of views and from highly granular transactional detail to global trended overview. Events such as the Katrina disaster in Louisiana two summers ago and general pressures from the government have made development of an electronic medical record system and Pay-for Performance reimbursement priority goals in the healthcare industry. A large portion of an individual’s medical record consists of laboratory data and a key performance indicator in any Pay-for-Performance initiative is laboratory result data. Our CKM system is a mature, full functioning solution that will allow us to play a role in these important national initiatives.

To date, neither our PSIMedica business unit nor CareEvolve has produced significant revenues.

Results of Operations (In thousands, except per patient data)

Fiscal Year 2008 Compared to 2007

NET REVENUES:

Net Revenues for the year ended October 31, 2008 were $301,071 as compared to $250,431 for the year ended October 31, 2007; this represents an 20% increase in net revenues. This increase is due to an 11% increase in patients serviced and a 9% increase in net revenue per patient. Our laboratory operations had net revenues of $298,543 in fiscal 2008.

The number of patients serviced during the year ended October 31, 2008 was 4,085, which was 11% greater when compared to the prior fiscal year.  Net revenue per patient for the year ended October 31, 2008 was $73.09 compared to net revenue per patient for the year ended October 31, 2007 of $67.14, an increase of $5.95 or 9% as a result of increases in esoteric testing.

COST OF SERVICES:

Cost of Services for the year ended October 31, 2008 was $153,831 as compared to $124,029 for the year ended October 31, 2007, an increase of 24%. This increase is related to the increase in net revenues of 20%. Reagent, laboratory and medical supplies increased at a year over year rate of 25% reflecting a significant increase in the more expensive tests that we offer from payers who reimburse at lower rates than our traditional business trends. In addition, phlebotomy salaries increased 35% when compared to the prior comparable period. Also, pick-up and delivery vehicle operating expenses (energy related costs) continued to have an impact on cost of services. As energy prices subside, we expect to see this category’s impact reduced during the coming fiscal year.  We have introduced some new testing platforms and methodologies over the last year and have seen a modest research and development increase in the cost of introducing new tests.

GROSS PROFIT:

Gross profit on net revenues increased to $147,240 for the year ended October 31, 2008 from $126,402 for the year ended October 31, 2007; an increase of $20,838 (16%), primarily attributable to the increase in net revenues. Gross profit margins decreased by 1% during the current fiscal yar driven by increased expenses outlined above.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:

General and administrative expenses for the year ended October 31, 2008 were $118,683 as compared to $101,345 for the year ended October 31, 2007, an increase of $17,338 or 17%. This increase is 3% less than the increase in net revenues and includes moderate increases to our marketing and sales expenses.

INTEREST EXPENSE:

Interest expense decreased from $2,410 during the year ended October 31, 2007 to $2,135 during the year ended October 31, 2008; a decrease of $275. This decrease is due to a decrease in utilization and in the interest rates on the PNC Bank line of credit, acquisition debt and capital leases. Management believes that this trend will continue in the near term due to the decrease in interest rates.

NET INCOME:

We realized net income of $15,617 for the twelve month period ended October 31, 2008 as compared to $13,957 for the twelve month period ended October 31, 2007, an increase of 12%.

Pre-tax income for the period ended October 31, 2008 was $26,691, as compared to $22,907 for the period ended October 31, 2007, an increase of $3,784 (17%) and was caused primarily by an increase in direct expenses in relation to an increase in net revenues.  The provision for income taxes increased from $8,950 for the period ended October 31, 2007, to $11,074 for the current twelve month period.

Results of Operations (In thousands, except per patient data)

Fiscal Year 2007 Compared to 2006

NET REVENUES:

Net Revenues for the year ended October 31, 2007 were $250,431 as compared to $193,134 for the year ended October 31, 2006; this represents an 30% increase in net revenues. This increase is due to an 20% increase in patients serviced and a 8% increase in net revenue per patient. Our laboratory operations had net revenues of $247,031, in fiscal 2007.

The number of patients serviced during the year ended October 31, 2007 was 3,681, which was 20% greater when compared to the prior fiscal year.  Net revenue per patient for the year ended October 31, 2007 was $67.14 compared to net revenue per patient for the year ended October 31, 2006 of $61.95, an increase of $5.19, or 8% as a result of increases in esoteric testing.

COST OF SERVICES:

Cost of Services for the year ended October 31, 2007 was $124,029 as compared to $96,079 for the year ended October 31, 2006, an increase of 29%. This increase is related to the increase in net revenues of 30%. However, reagent, laboratory and medical supplies increased at a year over year rate of

11

38% reflecting a significant increase in the more expensive tests that we offer from payers who reimburse at lower rates than our traditional business trends. This is in a large part the result of changes in managed care contracts in the New York Metropolitan area that enabled the Company to grow substantially in revenues.

GROSS PROFIT:

Gross profit on net revenues increased to $126,402 for the year ended October 31, 2007 from $97,055 for the year ended October 31, 2006; an increase of $29,347 (30%), primarily attributable to the increase in net revenues. Gross profit margins remained constant at 50% since both revenues and expenses increased 30%.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:

General and administrative expenses for the year ended October 31, 2007 were $101,345 as compared to $79,074 for the year ended October 31, 2006, an increase of $22,271 or 28%. This increase is related to the increase in net revenues of 30%

INTEREST EXPENSE:

Interest expense increased from $1,412 during the year ended October 31, 2006 to $2,410 during the year ended October 31, 2007; an increase of $998. This increase is due to increased utilization of our line of credit, the acquisition of our genetics laboratory and capital lease acquisitions. Management believes that this trend may continue in the future due to the continued use of our revolving line of credit to fund our growth.

NET INCOME:

We realized net income of $13,957 for the twelve month period ended October 31, 2007 as compared to $11,291 for the twelve month period ended October 31, 2006, an increase of 24%.

Pre-tax income for the period ended October 31, 2007 was $22,907, as compared to $16,742 for the period ended October 31, 2006, an increase of $6,165 (37%) and was caused primarily by a decrease in expenses in relation to an increase in net revenues.  The provision for income taxes increased from $5,451 for the period ended October 31, 2006, to $8,950 for the current twelve month period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources (Dollars in thousands except for the $5 million term loan, the equipment financing loan, and their repayment terms as well as the GeneDx contingent payments)

For the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2008

Our working capital at October 31, 2008 was approximately $58,561 as compared to approximately $48,747 at October 31, 2007, an increase of $9,814. Our cash position increased by approximately $799 during the current period. We decreased our short term borrowing by approximately $4,421 and repaid approximately $3,800 in existing debt. We had current liabilities of approximately $60,990 at October 31, 2008. We generated approximately $19,000 in cash from operations, an increase of approximately $13,000 as compared to the year ended October 31, 2007.

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, totaled approximately $93,718 at October 31, 2008, an increase of approximately $7,700 from October 31, 2007, or 9%. This increase was primarily attributable to increased revenue.  Cash collected over the twelve month period ended October 31, 2008 increased 26% over the prior twelve month period.

Net service revenues on the statements of operations are as follows:

The table above illustrates the relationship between contractual adjustments and gross revenues for the fiscal years 2008, 2007, and 2006. Between 2007 and 2008, contractual adjustments increased approximately 310 basis points. The most significant factor in this increase was the increase in market share caused by the acquisition of contracts with low reimbursement third party payors.

Credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is generally diversified due to the large number of patients comprising our 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 and to establish an allowance for uncollectible accounts. As a consequence, we believe that our accounts receivable credit risk exposure beyond such allowance is not material to the financial statements.

A number of proposals for legislation continue to be under discussion which could substantially reduce Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements to clinical laboratories.  Depending upon the nature of regulatory action, and the content of legislation, we could experience a significant decrease in revenues from Medicare and Medicaid, which could have a material adverse effect on us. We are unable to predict, however, the extent to which such actions will be taken.  For the first time in five years, as of January 1, 2009, laboratories will receive a 4.5% across the board increase in reimbursements.

12

LABORATORY GROSS RECEIVABLES BY PAYOR GROUP

FY 2008

FY 2007

Billing for laboratory services is complicated and we must bill various payors, such as the individual, the insurance company, the government (federal or state), the private company or the health clinic. Other factors that may complicate billing include:

Differences between fee schedules and reimbursement rates.

Incomplete or inaccurate billing information as provided by the doctor.

Disparity in coverage and information requirements.

Disputes with payors.

Internal and external compliance policies and procedures.

Significant costs are incurred as a result of our participation in government programs since billing and reimbursement for laboratory tests are subject to complex regulations. We perform the requested tests and report the results whether the information is correct or not or even missing. This adds to the complexity and slows the collection process and increases the aging of our accounts receivable (“A/R”). When patient invoices are not collected in a timely manner the item is written off to the allowance.

Days Sales Outstanding (“DSO”) for fiscal years 2007 and 2008 were 115 and 107, respectively, a decrease of approximately 7%. These changes are exaggerated by our primary marketplace, the physician office marketplace. However, when you compare our DSO lag to our collectible net revenues as reported on our financial statements for the periods in question, it varies between 98% to 102%, depending on the period.

Overall, the components of A/R as shown above for the two most recently completed fiscal years under review have not varied much year over year. The percent of A/R over 90 days has decreased to 26% as of October 31, 2008 as compared to 35% as of October 31, 2007.

In May 2008, the Company entered into an amended revolving note payable loan agreement with PNC Bank, N.A. (“the bank”).  The maximum amount of the credit line available to the Company pursuant to the loan agreement is the lesser of (i) $40,000 or (ii) 50% of the Company’s qualified accounts receivable [as defined in the agreement].  The amendment to the Loan and Security Agreement provides for interest on advances to be subject to the bank’s prime rate or the Eurodollar rate of interest plus, in certain instances, an additional interest percentage.  The additional interest percentage charges on Eurodollar borrowings range from 1% to 4% and are determined based upon certain financial ratios achieved by the Company.  At October 31, 2008, the Company had elected to have all of the total advances outstanding to be subject to the bank’s prime rate of interest at 4.0%.  The credit line is collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets. The line of credit is available through October 2012 and may be extended for annual periods by mutual consent, thereafter.  The terms of this agreement contain, among other provisions, requirements for maintaining defined levels of capital expenditures, fixed charge coverage, and the prohibition of the payment by the Company of cash dividends. As of October 31, 2008, the Company was utilizing $18,831 of the available credit under this revolving note payable loan agreement.

Effective as of October 31, 2007, we executed a fifth amendment to the loan agreement formalizing the repayment terms of a $5 million term loan from PNC Bank used by our wholly-owned subsidiary, BRLI No. 2 Acquisition Corp. to fund the $5 million acquisition Cash Payment in connection with the purchase of the operating assets of GeneDx. The term loan is evidenced by a secured promissory note payable over a six year term in equal monthly principal payments of $69, plus interest at an annual rate of 6.85%.  The Balance on this note as of October 31, 2008 was approximately $3,333.

In January 2007, the Company issued a ten year term note of $4,100 for the financing of equipment.  The note is payable in equal monthly installments of $47 including principal and interest, with payment commencing on March 1, 2007 at an effective interest rate of 6.63% per annum.  The balance on this note as of October 31, 2008 was approximately $3,564.

In September 2006, we acquired certain assets and liabilities of two Maryland laboratories, a pathology laboratory and a genetics laboratory for $1,500,000 and $10,000,000, respectively. The genetics laboratory purchase agreement contains certain operational targets, which, if achieved in the four years following the closing, could result in an increase in the purchase price from $10,000,000 to a maximum $17,000,000. During the recently completed fiscal year ended October 31, 2008 as well as for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007, the genetics laboratory achieved certain of the targets, entitling the prior owners to receive $1,917,000 in cash and an additional 11,548 shares of our Common Stock with respect to each such year. These amounts have been accrued and are reflected in our financial statements.

The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings outstanding as of October 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately 5.35% and 7.39%, respectively.

13

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

Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

Payments Due By Period

(Dollars in thousands)

Our cash balances at October 31, 2008 totaled approximately $12,696 as compared to approximately $11,897 at October 31, 2007.  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 2008. However, we will be making an approximately two million dollar payment to the prior owners of GeneDx during the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. Therefore, we have approximately $10,700 in cash and approximately $21,200 of credit availability through our PNC credit line.

We do not have any off-balance sheet items.

Impact of Inflation

To date, inflation has not had a material effect on our operations.

New Authoritative Pronouncements

In May 2008, the FASB issued two new Financial Accounting Standards No. 162 “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” and No. 163 “Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 60”.  FAS #162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States (the GAAP hierarchy).  This Statement is effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.  This statement is not expected to have a material impact on the reporting of our results of operations. FAS #163 is primarily geared towards financial guarantee insurance contracts by insurance enterprises.  It is not expected to have any material effect on the reporting of our results of operations.

In March 2008 the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.  This statement is effective for all interim periods beginning November 15, 2008.  This Statement changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities.  This statement is not expected to have a material impact on the reporting of our results of operations.

In December 2007 the FASB issued FAS  141(R) “Business Combinations” and FAS 160 “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements”  These statements are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years in the case of FAS 160, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is prohibited. Together these statements revise the accounting rules with respect to accounting for business combinations.

Specifically, the objective of FAS 141(R) is to improve the relevance, representational faithfulness and comparability of the information that the reporting entity provides in its financial reports about a business combination and its effects. This statement thus establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer:

·Recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree

·Recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase

·Determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination.

The objective of FAS 160 is to improve the relevance, comparability, and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity provides in its consolidated financial statements by establishing accounting and reporting standards that require:

·The ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent be clearly identified, labeled, and presented in the consolidated statement of financial position within equity, but separate from the parent’s equity.

14

·The amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest be clearly identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statement of income.

·Changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling financial interest in its subsidiary be accounted for consistently. A parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary changes if the parent purchases additional ownership interests in its subsidiary or if the parent sells some of its ownership interests in its subsidiary. It also changes if the subsidiary reacquires some of its ownership interests or the subsidiary issues additional ownership interests. All of those transactions are economically similar, and this Statement requires that they be accounted for similarly, as equity transactions.

·When a subsidiary is deconsolidated, any retained noncontrolling equity investment in the former subsidiary be initially measured at fair value. The gain or loss on the deconsolidation of the subsidiary is measured using the fair value of any noncontrolling equity investment rather than the carrying amount of that retained investment.

·Entities provide sufficient disclosures that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners.

Together these statements are not currently expected to have a significant impact on the entity’s consolidated financial statements. A significant impact may however be realized on any future acquisition(s) by this Company. The amounts of such impact can not be currently determined and will depend on the nature and terms of such future acquisition(s), if any.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods.

Accounting for Goodwill

We evaluate the recoverability and measure the possible impairment of goodwill under SFAS 142, The impairment test is a two-step process that begins with the estimation of the fair value of the reporting unit. The first step screens for potential impairment and the second step measures the amount of the impairment, if any.  Management’s estimate of fair value considers publicly available information regarding our market capitalization as well as (i) publicly available information regarding comparable publicly-traded companies in the clinical laboratory testing industry, (ii) the financial projections and future prospects of our business, including its growth opportunities and likely operational improvements, and (iii) comparable sales prices, if available. As part of the first step to assess potential impairment, management compares the estimate of fair value to book value on a consolidated net assets basis.  If the book value of the consolidated net assets is greater than the estimate of fair value, we then proceed to the second step to measure the impairment, if any.  The second step compares the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying value

The implied fair value is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price paid to acquire the reporting unit.  The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill.  If the carrying amount of the goodwill is greater than its implied fair value, an impairment loss will be recognized in that period.

Accounting for Intangible and Other Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate the possible impairment of our long-lived assets, including intangible assets. We review the recoverability of our long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances occur that indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable.  Evaluation of possible impairment is based on our ability to recover the asset from the expected future pretax cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) of the related operations. If the expected undiscounted pretax cash flows are less than the carrying amount of such asset, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the estimated fair value and carrying amount of the asset.

Accounting for Revenue

Service revenues are principally generated from laboratory testing services including chemical diagnostic tests such as blood analysis, urine analysis and genetic testing among others. Net service revenues are recognized at the time the testing services are performed and are reported at their estimated net realizable amounts. These estimated net realizable amounts from patients, third party payors and others for services rendered, are accrued on an estimated basis in the period the related services are rendered and adjusted in subsequent periods based upon an analysis of the Company’s collection experience from each category of payor group as well as prospectively determined contractual adjustments and discounts with third party payors. Differences between these adjustments and any subsequent revisions are included in the statement of operations in which the revisions are made and are disclosed, if material. Applying this methodology and aggregating its collection experience from all payor groups, the Company has not been required to record an adjustment related to revenue recorded in prior periods that was material in nature.

Accounting for Contractual Credits and Doubtful Accounts

An allowance for contractual credits and discounts is estimated by payor group and determined based upon a review of the reimbursement policies and subsequent collections from the different types of payors. The Company has not been required to record an adjustment in a subsequent period related to revenue recorded in a prior period that was material in nature.

Accounting for Employment Benefit Plan

The Company sponsors a 401(k) Profit-Sharing Plan [the “Plan”].  Employees become eligible for participation after attaining the age of eighteen and completing one year of service.  Participants may elect to contribute up to ten percent of their compensation, as defined in the Plan Adoption Agreement, to a maximum allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.  The Company may choose to make a matching contribution to the plan for each participant who has elected to make tax-deferred contributions for the plan year, at a percentage determined each year by the Company. The Company elected to make a matching contribution which amounted to $457,544 for 2008, $359,177 for 2007, and $225,971 for 2006. The Employer contribution will be fully vested after the third year of service.

15

Forward Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains historical information as well as forward-looking statements. Statements looking forward in time are included in this Annual 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.

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 42% 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 in addition to those discussed under “ Risk Factors” as well as elsewhere herein including:

our failure to integrate newly acquired businesses (if any) and the costs related to such integration.

our failure to obtain and retain new customers and alliance partners, or a reduction in tests ordered or specimens submitted by existing customers.

adverse results from investigations of clinical laboratories by the government, which may include significant monetary damages and/or exclusion from the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

loss or suspension of a license or imposition of a fine or penalties under, or future changes in, the law or regulations of CLIA-88, or those of Medicare, Medicaid or other federal, state or local agencies.

changes in federal, state, local and third party payor regulations or policies (or in the interpretation of current regulations) affecting governmental and third-party reimbursement for clinical laboratory testing (such as the decrease in Medicare reimbursement for Flow Cytometry testing at the beginning of calendar year 2005 described above under Cautionary Statements).

failure to comply with the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements and the recently passed Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act.

failure to comply with HIPAA, which could result in significant fines as well as substantial criminal penalties.

changes in payor mix.

failure to maintain our days sales outstanding levels.

increased competition, including price competition.

our ability to attract and retain experienced and qualified personnel.

adverse litigation results.

liabilities that result from our inability to comply with new corporate governance requirements.

failure to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Item 7A. - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We do not invest in or trade market risk sensitive instruments. We also do not have any foreign operations or foreign sales so that our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk is non-existent.

We do have exposure to both rising and falling interest rates. At October 31, 2008, advances of approximately $18,831,000 under our Loan Agreement with PNC Bank were subject to interest charges at the Bank’s then prime rate of 4.0 %.

We estimate that our monthly cash interest expense at October 31, 2008 was approximately $177,000 and that a one percentage point increase or decrease in short-term rates would increase or decrease our monthly interest expense by approximately $16,000.

See Note 5  to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein.

Item 8. - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Financial Statements are annexed hereto

Item 9. - Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None

Item 9A. - Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The management of Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc. (the “Company”), including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that:

·              pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

·              provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorization of management and directors of the Company; and

·              provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2008. Management based this assessment on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in “Internal Control — Integrated

16

Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operating effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting.

Based on this assessment, management has determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2008 is effective. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. MSPC, Certified Public Accountants and Advisors, a Professional Corporation, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our internal control over financial reporting and has expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2008.

Item 9B. -  Other Information

None.

17

PART III

Item 10.- Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to each of the directors and executive officers of the Company.

The Audit Committee is comprised of the four non-employee members of the Board of Directors, Gary Lederman (Chairman), Joseph Benincasa, John Roglieri and Harry Elias. The Board of Directors deems each such individual as “independent” as defined by the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers. The Audit Committee met four times during fiscal year 2008. The Audit Committee confers with the Company’s auditors and reviews, evaluates and advises the Board of Directors concerning the adequacy of the Company’s accounting systems, its financial reporting practices, the maintenance of its books and records and its internal controls. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews the scope of the audit of the Company’s financial statements and the results thereof. The Board of Directors has determined that Gary Lederman is qualified to serve as the Company’s “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.

The Compensation Committee is comprised of four non-employee members of the Board of Directors, John Roglieri (Chairman), Joseph Benincasa, Harry Elias and Gary Lederman. The Compensation Committee met once during fiscal year 2008. The Compensation Committee reviews salaries, cash bonuses and compensation plans for the Company’s executive officers and eligible employees and makes recommendations concerning same to the Board of Directors.

The Company does not have an Executive Committee. Officers are elected by and hold office at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

                The Nominating Committee is comprised of the four non-employee members of the Board of Directors, Harry Elias, Joseph Benincasa, Gary Lederman and John Roglieri. Pursuant to its charter, the Nominating Committee’s role is to establish criteria for the selection of directors; to identify individuals qualified to be directors; to evaluate director candidates proposed by stockholders; to recommend individuals to fill vacancies on the Board and to recommend nominees for director at each annual stockholder meeting. The Nominating Committee may consider nominees for director of the Company submitted in writing c/o the Committee at the Company’s executive offices, whether by executive officer of the Company; current directors of the Company, search firms (if any) engaged by the Committee, and, in the circumstances provided below, shall consider nominees for director proposed by a stockholder. Information with respect to the proposed nominee must be provided in writing by the stockholder addressed to the Committee at the Company’s executive offices, and received not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting, provided that if the current year’s annual meeting is not scheduled to be held within 30 days of the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting, notice from a stockholder shall be considered timely if it is received not later than the tenth day following the date on which the notice of the annual meeting was mailed or the date on which public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever occurs first. The information shall include the name of the nominee, and such information with respect to the nominee as would be required under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement if the proposed nominee were to be included therein. In addition, the stockholder’s notice shall also include the class and number of shares the stockholder owns, a description of all arrangements and understandings between the stockholder and the proposed nominee, a representation that the stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person named in its notice, a representation as to whether the stockholder intends to deliver a proxy statement to or solicit proxies from shareholders of the Company and information with respect to the stockholder as would be required under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement.

The Nominating Committee generally identifies potential candidates for director by seeking referrals from the Company’s management, members of the Board of Directors and their various business contacts. Candidates are evaluated based upon factors such as independence, knowledge, judgment, integrity, character, leadership, skills, education, experience, financial literacy, standing in the community and ability to foster a diversity of backgrounds and views and to complement the Board’s existing strengths. There are no differences in the manner in which the Committee will evaluate nominees for director based on whether the nominee is recommended by a stockholder.

Code of Ethics

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to its executive officers and to key financial and accounting personnel. The Company will, upon a stockholder’s written request to Investor Relations, c/o the Company, furnish a paper copy of the Code of Ethics.

The following is a brief account of the business experience of each director and executive officer of the Company.

Marc D. Grodman, M.D. founded the Company in December 1981 and has been its Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director since its formation. Dr. Grodman is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons and Assistant Attending Physician at Presbyterian Hospital, New York City. From 1980 to 1983, Dr. Grodman attended the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and was a Primary Care Clinical Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital. From 1982 to 1984, he was a medical consultant to the Metal Trades Department of the AFL-CIO. Dr. Grodman received a B.A. degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1973 and an M.D. degree from Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1977.  Except for his part time duties as Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine and Assistant Attending Physician at Columbia University and Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Grodman devotes all of his working time to the business of the Company.

18

Since January 2005, Dr. Grodman has been a member of the Board of Directors, and since April 2008, Chairman of the American Clinical Laboratory Association, an industry organization comprised of the largest and most significant commercial clinical laboratories in the United States. Other Board members include the chief executive officers of Quest Diagnostics and Laboratory Corporation of America.

Howard Dubinett has been the Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since its formation in 1981. He became a Director of the Company in April 1986. Mr. Dubinett attended Rutgers University. Mr. Dubinett devotes all of his working time to the business of the Company.

Sam Singer has been the Company’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since October 1987 and a Director since November 1989.  He is responsible for all of the Company’s financial activities. Mr. Singer was the Controller for Sycomm Systems Corporation, a data processing and management consulting company, from 1981 to 1987, prior to joining the Company.  He received a B.A. degree from Strayer University and an M.B.A. from Rutgers University.  Mr. Singer devotes all of his working time to the business of the Company.

Joseph Benincasa became a Director of the Company in June 2005. Mr. Benincasa currently serves as the Executive Director of The Actors’ Fund of America, a position he has held since 1989. The Actors’ Fund is the leading national, non-profit human services organization providing comprehensive social and health care services, employment, training and housing support to the entertainment profession. It is headquartered in New York City with regional offices in Chicago and Los Angeles. He is a director of St. Peter’s University Medical Center and also sits on the board of directors of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS; the National Theatre Workshop of the Handicapped; Career Transition for Dancers; the Times Square Alliance; the New York Society of Association Executives and the Somerset Patriots, a minor league baseball team. Mr. Benincasa holds a B.A. degree from St. Joseph’s University and an M. Ed. Degree from Rutgers University. He also attended Fordham University Graduate School of Business.

Harry Elias became a Director of the Company in March 2004. Mr. Elias commenced his employment in sales and marketing with JVC Company of America (“JVC”) in 1967, subsequently being appointed as JVC’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing in 1983 and as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing in 1990. In 1995, Mr. Elias was named as JVC’s Chief Operating Officer, a position he occupied until April 2003 when he resigned his positions upon his appointment as JVC’s “Honorable Chairman.” JVC, a distributor of audio and video products headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey is the wholly owned United States subsidiary of Victor Company of Japan, a manufacturer of audio and video products headquartered in Japan. In January 2005, after retiring from JVC, Mr. Elias was appointed Chairman of the Board of and commenced to serve as a consultant to AKAI USA, the sole distributor in the United States of electronic products produced by AKAI, a Chinese manufacturer. Mr. Elias retired from AKAI in 2007 and currently is self-employed as a Business Consultant.

Gary Lederman, Esq. became a Director of the Company in May 1997. He received his B.A. degree from Brooklyn College in 1954 and his J.D. degree from NYU Law School in 1957.  He was manager of Locals 370, 491 and 662 of the U.F.C.W. International Union from 1961 to 1985. He is retired from the unions and has been a lecturer at Queensboro Community College in the field of insurance. He served on an institutional review board for RTL, a pharmaceutical drug testing laboratory until his retirement in February 2007.

John Roglieri, M.D. became a Director of the Company in September 1995.  He is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons and an Assistant Attending Physician at Presbyterian Hospital, New York City.  Dr. Roglieri received a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering and a B.A. degree in Applied Sciences from Lehigh University in 1960, an M.D. degree from Harvard Medical School in 1966, and a Masters degree from Columbia University’s School of Business in 1978.  From 1969 until 1971, he was a Senior Assistant Surgeon in the U.S. Public Health Service in Washington, D.C..  From 1971 until 1973 he was a Clinical and Research Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital.  From 1973 until 1975, he was Director of the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars program at Columbia University.  In 1975 he was appointed Vice-President, Ambulatory Services at Presbyterian Hospital, a position which he held until 1980.  Since 1980, he has maintained a private practice of internal medicine at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.  From 1988 until 1992, he was also Director of the Employee Health Service at Presbyterian Hospital. From 1992 through 1999, Dr. Roglieri was the Corporate Medical Director of NYLCare, a managed care subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company (“New York Life”). Dr. Roglieri was chief medical officer of Physician WebLink, a national physician practice management company, from 1999 to 2000. Since 2001, he has been a Medical Director for New York Life in Manhattan. He is a member of advisory boards to several pharmaceutical companies, a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the journals Managed Care and Seminars in Medical Practice, and is a subject of biographical record in Who’s Who in America.

There are no family relationships between or among any directors or executive officers of Bio-Reference Laboratories. The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation provides for a staggered Board of Directors pursuant to which the Board is divided into three classes of directors and the members of only one class are elected each year to serve a three-year term. Mr. Benincasa, Mr. Lederman and Dr. Roglieri are the Class III directors whose term expires in fiscal 2009. Dr. Grodman and Mr. Dubinett are the Class I directors whose term expires in fiscal 2010.

Key Personnel and Consultants

The following key personnel and consultants make significant contributions to the Company’s operations.

James Weisberger, M.D. (Age 53) joined the Company in September 2003 as Vice President, Assistant Chief Medical Officer and Director of Hematopathology. He is currently employed as the Company’s Chief Medical Officer. Prior to joining the Company, he was Director of Hematopathology at IMPATH, Inc.  (1999-2003). He is board certified in internal medicine, anatomic and clinical pathology, and hematopathology. He has a New York State Department of Health Certificate of Qualification as a Laboratory Director. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pathology at New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York.  Prior to joining IMPATH,  he was an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pathology at New York Medical College (1995-1999).  He has a B.S. degree from Stanford University (1977); an M.S. degree from Stanford University (1978); and an M.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania (1983).

Charles T.  Todd, Jr.  (Age 57) is a Senior Vice President engaged in  Sales. Mr.  Todd was the founder and CEO of GenCare Biomedical Research Corporation (“GenCare”), a specialty oncology laboratory that was purchased by the Company in 1995.  He attended Seton Hall University from where he received a B.S. degree in Finance in 1974.

Richard Faherty (Age 62) serves as the Company’s Chief Information Officer and oversees the Company’s two informatics operations. Mr. Faherty provided custom programming and system analysis services to GenCare from 1987 until its acquisition by the Company in 1995. He became a consultant to the Company in 1995 in the information technology area and an employee in 1999. Mr. Faherty is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (1968) and the Fordham Law School (1975).

John W.  Littleton (Age 48) joined the Company in September 2002 as a Vice President engaged in Sales.  Prior to joining the Company, Mr.  Littleton was Vice President of Sales for Specialty Laboratories and the Northeast Regional Vice President of Sales for Quest Diagnostics.  He received a B.A.. degree from Seton Hall University in 1983.

John Bennett, M.D., Scientific Advisory Board Chairman, is Professor Emeritus at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.  Dr.  Bennett has long been recognized as an intellectual force in the treatment and understanding of leukemias, lymphomas and other cancer-related diseases.  He established the French-American-British (FAB) Leukemia Working Group and is one of the world’s leading authorities on Myelodysplasia.  He is founder and Chairman of the MDS Foundation, as well as Editor of the Journal of Leukemia Research. Dr.  Bennett is currently Professor Emeritus and former Head of the Medical Oncology Unit at the University of Rochester Medical Center and formerly was a Professor of Oncology in Medicine, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical School.  For nearly four decades, Dr.  Bennett has been honored by the medical community as an expert in the field of oncology as evidenced by the numerous chairs he has held in prestigious societies and committees and his authorship of more than 400 publications in peer review journals, the majority of which are in the area of hematologic

19

malignancies.  Dr. Bennett earned his B.A. from Harvard University and his M.D. from Boston University. He served his residency in medicine at Beth-Israel Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts and completed a fellowship in hematology at Boston City Hospital. He headed the Morphology and Cytochemistry Section of the Clinical Center at the National Institute of Health (“NIH”) before joining the faculty at the University of Rochester. Dr. Bennett serves the Company in an advisory capacity as chairman of our Scientific Advisory Board.

Sherri Bale, Ph.D., FACMG joined the Company in September 2006, when BioReference Laboratories acquired the operating assets of GeneDx. She received her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, and her post-doctoral training in medical genetics at the NIH. She is an American Board of Medical Genetics-Certified Ph.D. — Medical Geneticist and Founding Member of the American College of Medical Genetics. She founded GeneDx with Dr. John Compton, also a long-time NIH scientist, after 16 years at the NIH. For the past eight years, she has served as President and Clinical Director of GeneDx, which specializes in developing and providing molecular diagnostic tests for rare hereditary disorders. She has authored more than 125 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and books in the field. She serves on numerous Boards of patient advocacy and non-profit organizations, and is a member of the Faculty of the Metropolitan Medical Genetics Training Program of the National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, in Bethesda, MD. She holds a second degree black belt in judo.

John Compton, Ph.D., (Age 60) serves as Scientific Director and Co-President of GeneDx Inc., the operating assets of which were acquired by BioReference Laboratories in September 2006. He has 25 years experience in the development and application of molecular biological techniques to answer questions about genetics and epidermal differentiation, and has authored more than 60 publications in the field. He holds B.S. degrees in Physics and Biology from MIT, received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in Biophysics, and did his post-doctoral training in protein-DNA interactions at the Baylor College of Medicine. Following six years as an independent investigator at the Jackson Laboratory, he joined the Laboratory of Skin Biology in the NIAMS at the NIH in 1991 where he was Staff Scientist in the Genetic Studies Section until 2000, when he and NIH colleague Sherri Bale formed GeneDx to develop and provide molecular genetic testing in rare hereditary disorders. In 2003 they were jointly awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year award by the Technology Council of Maryland. John is also in his eighth year as Mayor of the Town of Washington Grove, MD.

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

Based solely on a review of Forms 3 and 4 and any amendments thereto furnished to the Company pursuant to Rule 16a-3(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or representations that no Forms 5 were required, we believe that with respect to fiscal 2008, our officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our equity timely complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements.

Item 11 – Executive Compensation

The table below summarizes the total compensation paid or accrued by us with respect to the years ended October 31, 2007 and 2008 to our three executive officers and to our two other most highly compensated senior management employees during the period. All of our group life, health, hospitalization or medical reimbursement plans, if any, as well as our 401(k) plan, do not discriminate in scope, terms or operation, in favor of any or our officers, senior management members or directors, and are generally available to all salaried employees.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

(1) Under SEC disclosure rules, the term “bonus” does not include awards that are performance based. As a result of this definition, payments under our 2007 Incentive Bonus Plan for Senior Management are not considered “bonuses” and are reported under the column captioned “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation”.

(2) The 2007 Senior Management Incentive Bonus Plan adopted by the Compensation Committee provided for bonuses as a percentage of salary to be paid to designated members of Senior Management (twelve in total) to the extent the Company’s Total Operating Income equaled certain designated percentages of Total Net Revenues. The amounts in column (g) reflect the cash awards to the named officers under the 2007 Senior Management Incentive Bonus Plan. No bonuses were earned under the Plan with respect to fiscal 2008.

(3) The amounts in column (i) All Other Compensation are detailed below.

20

(a) See “Split Dollar Life Insurance” herein

(b) Mr. Faherty rents an airplane to the Company (when the Company’s owned airplane is unavailable) for corporate flights. Such rentals totaled  $71,108 in fiscal 2008 and $55,965 in fiscal 2007. In addition, a separate corporation of which Mr. Faherty is the majority shareholder provided networking, data reporting and programming services to the Company in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 for which it received $40,833 and $81,713 in compensation respectively.

Employment Agreements with Named Officers

Dr. Grodman serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to a seven-year employment agreement which expires on October 31, 2011. Dr. Grodman has the right to elect to cancel the employment agreement effective at the end of any calendar month commencing October 31, 2008 on not less than 90 days prior written notice, subject to a six month non-competition restriction. The employment agreement is automatically renewable for additional two year periods subject to the right of either party to elect not to renew at least six months prior thereto. The employment agreement provides Dr. Grodman with minimum annual base compensation of $750,000 subject to annual percentage increases to the extent of annual percentage increases in the Consumer Price Index. Dr. Grodman’s minimum annual base compensation for fiscal 2009 as determined by the Compensation Committee is $965,180. The Compensation Committee can but is not required to increase Dr. Grodman’s compensation at the end of any fiscal year based upon his and the Company’s performance. The employment agreement also provides Dr. Grodman with business use of an automobile leased by the Company and participation in any fringe benefit and bonus plans available to the Company’s employees to the extent determined by the Compensation Committee. The employment agreement contains provisions governing in the event of Dr. Grodman’s partial or total disability and provides for termination for cause or in the event of Dr. Grodman’s death. Dr. Grodman has the right to terminate the employment agreement in the event of a material change in his duties and responsibilities, the relocation of the Company’s principal executive offices from Elmwood Park, New Jersey to a location more than fifty miles distant or a material breach of the employment agreement by the Company (including a reduction in Dr. Grodman’s benefits under the agreement). In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, Dr. Grodman can elect to terminate the agreement. In that event, he will be entitled to be paid a lump sum Severance Payment equal to 2.99 times the average of his annual compensation paid by the Company for the five calendar years preceding the earlier of the calendar year in which the Change of Control occurred or the calendar year of the Date of Termination, subject to the provisions of Section 409-A of the Internal Revenue Code. See “Split-Dollar Life Insurance” herein as to the Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement between the Company and Dr. Grodman.

Mr. Dubinett serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer pursuant to an employment agreement which has been extended through October 31, 2009.  Mr. Dubinett’s minimum annual compensation under the extended agreement is equal to his annual compensation in fiscal 2002 and is subject to increases based on increases in the Consumer Price Index as well as to increases at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Dubinett’s minimum annual base compensation for fiscal 2009 as determined by the Compensation Committee is $381,425. The agreement provides for (i) the leasing of an automobile for his use; (ii) participation in fringe benefit, bonus, pension, profit sharing, and similar plans maintained for the Company’s employees; (iii) disability benefits; (iv) certain termination benefits; and (v) in the event of termination due to a Change in Control of the Company, a Severance Payment equal to 2.99 times Mr. Dubinett’s average annual compensation during the preceding five years, subject to the provisions of Section 409-A of the Internal Revenue Code. See “Split Dollar Life Insurance” herein as to the Endorsement Split Dollar Life Insurance Agreement between the Company and Mr. Dubinett.

Mr. Singer serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to an employment agreement which has been extended through October 31, 2009, Mr. Singer’s minimum annual compensation under the extended agreement is equal to his annual compensation in fiscal 2002 and is subject to increases based on increases in the Consumer Price Index as well as to increases at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Singer’s minimum annual base compensation for fiscal 2009 as determined by the Compensation Committee is $381,425. The agreement provides for (i) the leasing of an automobile for his use; (ii) participation in fringe benefit, bonus, pension, profit sharing, and similar plans maintained for the Company’s employees; (iii) disability benefits; (iv) certain termination benefits; and (v) in the event of termination due to a Change

21

in Control of the Company, a Severance Payment equal to 2.99 times Mr. Singer’s average annual compensation during the preceding five years, subject to the provisions of Section 409-A of the Internal Revenue Code. See “Split-Dollar Life Insurance” herein as to the Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement between the Company and Mr. Singer.

Mr. Faherty serves as Chief Information Officer and Director of Information Services pursuant to an employment agreement currently due to expire on October 31, 2011. Mr. Faherty’s initial Base Compensation of $400,000 in fiscal 2005 is subject to increases based upon management’s evaluation of his and the Company’s performance and is also subject to increases based on increases in the Consumer Price Index. The agreement provides for (i) the leasing of an automobile for Mr. Faherty’s use; (ii) participation in fringe benefit and bonus plans available to the Company’s employees; (iii) disability benefits; (iv) certain termination benefits; and (v) in the event of termination due to a Change in Control of the Company, a Severance Payment equal to 2.99 times Mr. Faherty’s average annual compensation during the preceding five years, subject to the provisions of Section 409-A of the Internal Revenue Code.

Mr. Todd serves as a Senior Vice President in Sales pursuant to an Employment Agreement currently due to expire on October 31, 2011. Mr. Todd’s initial Base Compensation of $350,000 in fiscal 2005 is subject to increases based upon management’s evaluation of his and the Company’s performance and is also subject to increases based on increases in the Consumer Price Index. The agreement provides for (i) the leasing of an automobile for Mr. Todd’s use; (ii) participation in fringe benefits and bonus plans available to the Company’s employees; (iii) disability benefits; (iv) certain termination benefits; and (v) in the event of termination due to a Change in Control of the Company, a Severance Payment equal to 2.99 times Mr. Todd’s average annual compensation during the preceding five years, subject to the provisions of Section 409-A of the Internal Revenue Code.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control as of October 31, 2008

The following table sets out the payments that could be paid to each of our three executive officers and to our two other most highly compensated senior management employees upon termination of employment due to death, disability, for Good Reason or a Change in Control, in each case occurring as of October 31, 2007.

(a) Dr. Grodman’s employment agreement entitles him to monthly compensation at his then current Base Compensation for 18 months in the event of his Total Disability. The employment agreement of each of the other employees listed in the table entitles the employee to monthly compensation at his then current Base Compensation for twelve months in the event of his Total Disability.

(b) “Good Reason” entitling the employee to voluntarily terminate his employment agreement includes assignment of duties inconsistent with his current duties, reduction of his Base Compensation, relocation of the Company’s principal executive offices to a location more than 50 miles from the current location and other breaches by the Company of the employment agreement. In the event of his voluntary termination for “Good Reason”, each of the employees listed in the table is entitled to be paid his monthly Base Compensation until completion of his current Employment Period which is as follows: Dr. Grodman — until October 31, 2011; Messrs. Dubinett and Singer – until October 31, 2009; and Messrs. Faherty and Todd — until October 31, 2011.

(c) Under Dr. Grodman’s employment agreement, his employment terminates in the event of his death and his beneficiaries would be entitled to the death proceeds of the insurance policy owned by the Company on his life after deducting the Company’s “Interest in the Policy”. In the event of Mr. Dubinett’s death or Mr. Singer’s death while employed by the Company, the decedent’s beneficiaries would be entitled to the death proceeds of the insurance policy owned by the Company on his life after deducting the Company’s “Interest in the Policy” plus additional payments equal to six months of his Base Compensation in effect at the time of his death. See “Split-Dollar Life Insurance” herein. In the event of Mr. Faherty’s death or Mr. Todd’s death while employed by the Company, the decedent’s beneficiaries would be entitled to additional payments equal to six months of his Base Compensation at the time of his death.

(d) In the event of a termination of employment after a “Change in Control” of the Company, the employee is entitled to receive a lump sum Severance Payment equal to 2.99 times the average of his annual compensation paid or payable by the Company in connection with his employment and included in his gross income as compensation income for the five calendar years preceding the calendar year in which the Change in Control occurred, subject to the provisions of Section 409-A of the Internal Revenue Code

Split-Dollar Life Insurance

Pursuant to the terms of their 1997 employment agreements, the Company had established split-dollar life insurance programs for each of its three Executive Officers. As a result of the passage of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (signed into law on July 30, 2002), these three programs were modified. Pursuant to the modification, each of the three Executive Officers assigned ownership of his policies to the Company and new policies were issued to replace the prior policies with annual premiums under the new policies ($70,000 under Dr. Grodman’s policy and $25,000 each under Messrs. Dubinett’s and Singer’s policies) being equal to the premiums paid under the replaced policies. The Company has now executed new “Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreements” with each of its three Executive Officers. Pursuant to the new agreements, the Company has agreed to continue to pay the annual premium on the policy on each officer’s life during the period of his full-time employment by the Company. The Company is the sole owner of the policy and of its net cash surrender value, and in the event of the officer’s death while serving as a full-time employee of the Company, the Company will be entitled to receive that amount of the death proceeds equal to its interest in the policy (the aggregate amount of premiums paid by the Company with respect to the policy less the amount of any loans, if any, from the Insurer to the Company against the cash value or policy proceeds, and less the aggregate amount of any premiums paid by the officer to the Company in reimbursement of premiums paid by the Company) and the balance of the death proceeds will be paid to the officer’s designated beneficiaries. The premiums paid by the Company on the current policies and the prior policies aggregated approximately $1,542,000 and $1,422 ,000 at October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2007, respectively. At those dates, the net cash surrender value of the three current policies aggregated approximately $1,225,000 and $1,054,000, respectively and is recorded on the books of the Company at these values.

22

Stock Options

Employee Stock Option Plans

The 1989 Plan

In July 1989, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the 1989 Employees Stock Option Plan (the “1989 Plan”) which was approved by shareholders in November 1989.  The 1989 Plan provided for the grant of options to purchase up to 666,667 shares of Common Stock.  Under the terms of the 1989 Plan, options granted thereunder could be designated as options which qualify for incentive stock option treatment (“ISOs”) under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“the Code”), or options which do not so qualify (“NQOs”).

Under the 1989 Plan, the exercise price of an option designated as an ISO could not be less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date the option was granted.  However, in the event an option designated as an ISO was granted to a 10% shareholder (as defined in the 1989 Plan) such exercise price was required to be at least 110% of such fair market value.  Exercise prices of NQOs could be less than such fair market value.  The aggregate fair market value of shares subject to options granted to a participant which are designated as ISOs which first become exercisable in any calendar year could not exceed $100,000. All options under the 1989 Plan were required to be granted before the Plan’s July 1999 Termination Date so that no further options can be granted under the 1989 Plan. At October 31, 2008, there were no outstanding ISOs under the 1989 Plan.

The 2000 Plan

On August 25, 2000, the Board of Directors adopted the 2000 Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan (the “2000 Plan”) reserving an aggregate 800,000 shares of Bio-Reference Common Stock for issuance upon exercise of ISOs which may be granted under the 2000 Plan.  Stockholders ratified the adoption of the 2000 Plan at our December 14, 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. During fiscal 2008, no options were granted under the 2000 Plan. During fiscal 2008, ISOs issued under the 2000 Plan to purchase an aggregate 4,500 shares at exercise prices ranging from $5.94 to $8.40 per share were exercised and as a result, at October 31, 2008, there were outstanding ISOs under the 2000 Plan exercisable to purchase an aggregate 157,000 shares at exercise prices ranging from $5.52 to $15.334 per share.

The 2000 Plan authorizes the grant of options which qualify for ISO treatment under Section 422 of the Code, to purchase up to a maximum aggregate 800,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. Options may only be granted under the 2000 Plan to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (including officers and directors who are also employees).

The 2000 Plan is administered by the Board of Directors. The Board has the discretion to determine the eligible employees to whom, and the price (not less than the fair market value on the date of grant) at which options will be granted; the periods during which each option is exercisable; and the number of shares subject to each option. The Board has the authority to interpret the 2000 Plan and to establish and amend rules and regulations relating thereto.

The 2000 Plan provides that the exercise price of an option granted thereunder shall not be less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date the option is granted. However, in the event an option is granted under the 2000 Plan to a holder of 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock, the exercise price must be at least 110% of such fair market value. Under the 2000 Plan, options must be granted before the August 24, 2010 Termination Date. No option may have a term longer than ten years (limited to five years in the case of an option granted to a 10% or greater stockholder of the Company). The aggregate fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock with respect to which options are exercisable for the first time by a grantee under the 2000 Plan during any calendar year cannot exceed $100,000. Options granted under the 2000 Plan are non-transferable and must be exercised by an optionee, if at all, while employed by the Company or a subsidiary or within three months after termination of such optionee’s employment due to retirement, or within one year of such termination if due to disability or death. The Board may, in its sole discretion, cause the Company to lend money to or guaranty any obligation of an employee for the purpose of enabling such employee to exercise an option granted under the 2000 Plan provided that such loan or obligation cannot exceed fifty percent (50%) of the exercise price of such option.

The 2003 Plan

On June 3, 2003, the Board of Directors adopted the 2003 Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan (the “2003 Plan”) reserving an aggregate 800,000 shares of Bio-Reference Common Stock for issuance upon exercise of  ISOs which may be granted under the 2003 Plan. Stockholders ratified the adoption of the 2003 Plan at our July 31, 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. During fiscal 2008, ISOs were granted under the 2003 Plan exercisable to purchase 20,000 shares at an exercise price of $34.99 per share. In fiscal 2008, ISOs issued under the 2003 Plan to purchase 29,313 shares at exercise prices ranging from $12.22 to $21.46 per share were exercised and ISOs granted under the 2003 Plan exercisable to purchase 7,145 shares were canceled due to terminations of employment. As a result, at October 31, 2008, there were outstanding ISOs under the 2003 Plan exercisable to purchase an aggregate 244,280 shares at exercise prices ranging from $12.22 to $34.99 per share.

The 2003 Plan authorizes the grant of options which qualify for ISO treatment under Section 422 of the Code to purchase up to a minimum aggregate 800,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.  Options may only be granted under the 2003 Plan to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (including those officers and directors who are also employees).

The 2003 Plan is administered by the Board of Directors.  The Board has the discretion to determine the eligible employees to whom, and the prices (not less than the fair market value on the date of grant) at which options will be granted; the periods during which each option is exercisable; and the number of shares subject to each option.  The Board has the authority to interpret the 2003 Plan and to establish and amend rules and regulations relating thereto.

The 2003 Plan provides that the exercise price of an option granted thereunder shall not be less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date the option is granted.  However, in the event an option is granted under the 2003 Plan to a holder of 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock, the exercise price must be at least 110% of such fair market value.

                Under the 2003 Plan, options must be granted before the June 2, 2013 Termination Date.  No option may have a term longer than ten years (limited to five years in the case of an option granted to a 10% or greater stockholder of the Company).  The aggregate fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock with respect to which options are exercisable for the first time by a grantee under all of the Company’s Stock Option Plans during any calendar year cannot exceed $100,000.  Options granted under the 2003 Plan are non-transferable and must be exercised by an optionee, if at all, while employed by the Company or a subsidiary or within three months after termination of such optionee’s employment due to retirement, or within one year of such termination if due to disability or death.  The Board may, in its sole discretion, cause the Company to lend money to or guaranty any obligation of an employee for the purpose of enabling such employee to exercise an option granted under the 2003 Plan provided that such loan or obligation cannot exceed fifty percent (50%) of the exercise price of such option.

23

Non-Qualified Options (NQOs) and Warrants

At October 31, 2007, there were outstanding NQOs owned by one member of the Scientific Advisory Board exercisable to purchase an aggregate 15,000 shares at an exercise price of $7.94 per share. These NQOs expired unexercised in fiscal 2008.

See Note 11 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Option Grants to Our Three Named Executive Officers (and the Two Other Named Most Highly Compensated Senior Management Employees)  in Last Fiscal Year

No options to purchase shares of our Common Stock were granted to any of our three Named Executive Officers or the two other named most highly compensated senior management employees in fiscal 2008.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

At October 31, 2007 and at October 31, 2008, there were no outstanding options held by our three executive officers, the two other named most highly compensated senior management employees or any of our directors.

During Fiscal 2008 no options were exercised by any member of the Board of Directors.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

During fiscal 2008, each director who was not a Company employee was compensated for his services as a director with a quarterly fee of $13,750. In addition, Gary Lederman as chairman of the Audit Committee and John Roglieri M.D. as chairman of the Compensation Committee was each compensated for serving as a Committee Chairman with an additional quarterly fee of $2,750. No director’s fees were paid to our employee directors.

The following table sets forth the compensation paid to our directors in fiscal 2008.

(a) For personal use of Company airplane

(b) Chairman of the Audit Committee

(c) Chairman of the Compensation Committee

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Background

Through fiscal 2001, the Board of Directors, including the Company’s three executive officers, were responsible for reviewing the compensation paid to the Company’s executive officers, provided that none of the Company’s executive officers could vote with respect to his own compensation package. In fiscal 2002, the Company established a Compensation Committee consisting of three non-employee directors, Morton L. Topfer (Chairman), Gary Lederman and John Roglieri. Mr. Topfer resigned as a director and as a member of the Compensation Committee in February 2004. In March 2004, Dr. Roglieri became the Chairman of the Compensation Committee and Mr. Elias was elected as a member of the Committee. Mr. Benincasa was elected as a member of the Committee in June 2005.