GTC BIOTHERAPEUTICS RECEIVES NOTICE RELATED TO NASDAQ MINIMUM MARKET VALUE RULE

FRAMINGHAM, MA – June 19, 2009 -- GTC Biotherapeutics, Inc. ("GTC", NASDAQ: GTCB) has received a Staff Deficiency Letter from The NASDAQ Stock Market notifying GTC that for the 10 consecutive trading days the aggregate market value of GTCB common stock has fallen below $35 million, the minimum level required for continued listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market, as specified by the Marketplace Rule 5550(b)(2). In accordance with Marketplace Rule 5810(c)(3)(C), GTC has until September 16, 2009 to regain compliance by demonstrating a market value of listed securities of at least $35 million for at least ten consecutive trading days. If compliance can not be demonstrated by September 16, 2009, GTC may request a hearing before a NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel (the “Panel”) at which it could request a further extension. The Company’s common stock would continue to be listed at least until the conclusion of the Panel process.

GTC Biotherapeutics develops, supplies and commercializes therapeutic proteins produced through transgenic animal technology. ATryn®, GTC’s recombinant human antithrombin, has been approved for use in the United States and Europe. ATryn is the first and only product produced in transgenic animals to be approved for therapeutic use anywhere in the world. In addition to ATryn, GTC is developing a portfolio of recombinant human plasma proteins with known therapeutic properties. These proteins include recombinant forms of human coagulation factors VIIa and IX, which are being developed for the treatment of hemophilia. GTC is also developing a portfolio of follow-on biologic monoclonal antibodies and a CD20 antibody with enhanced ADCC (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity). GTC’s intellectual property includes a patent in the United States through 2021 for the production of any therapeutic protein in the milk of any transgenic mammal. GTC’s transgenic production platform is particularly well suited to enabling cost effective development of proteins that are difficult to express in traditional recombinant production systems as well as proteins that are required in large volumes. Additional information is available on the GTC web site, http://www.gtc-bio.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation statements regarding the timing of determinations by Nasdaq. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed in GTC's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risks and uncertainties associated with dependence upon the actions of Nasdaq and other regulatory agencies. GTC cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. These statements speak only as of the date of this document, and GTC undertakes no obligation to update or revise the statements, except as may be required by law.

CONTACT:
GTC Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Thomas E. Newberry
Vice President, Corporate Communications and Government Relations
(508) 370-5374 or tom.newberry@gtc-bio.com