Amerinet and Bracco Diagnostics Inc. Sign Three-Year Agreement on Contrast Media; Customized Contract Increases Availability of Bracco Product Portfolio.

PRINCETON, N.J. -- Bracco Diagnostics Inc., a world leader in global solutions for the diagnostic imaging field and Amerinet, one of the leading health care group purchasing organizations in the United States, announced today an agreement to make Bracco's injectable contrast media products available to Amerinet members through a single contract through 2008.

This customized contract includes Isovue(R) (iopamidol injection); MultiHance(R) (gadobenate dimeglumine) injection, 529 mg/mL; ProHance(R) (gadoteridol) injection, 279.3 mg/mL, and Bracco's Ionic product line. Amerinet members may benefit from a simplified contract that delivers competitive pricing and value across the Bracco contrast media line. Bracco will benefit from extending the availability of its contrast media products to more Amerinet members.

"We are pleased to have this opportunity to be the key injectable contrast media trading partner with Amerinet and its members, and are certain that we can help them achieve tangible clinical and financial goals through this agreement," said Bracco Diagnostics Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Carlo Medici. "We will key on insuring appropriate utilization, providing high levels of customer service, and dedicating account management services to ensure success."

Todd Ebert, President of Amerinet said "this agreement with Bracco Diagnostics is another means of providing value to the Amerinet membership. Bracco has consistently performed well by providing outstanding quality products and service for its customers. Not only are the products exceptional, Bracco supports them in many ways, including clinical support, education and reimbursement services. Amerinet is pleased to include Bracco Diagnostics as an integral part of its imaging program."

The agreement was effective January 1, 2006, and runs through December 31, 2008. Amerinet members with questions regarding the new agreement are encouraged to contact their Bracco sales representative directly.

About Bracco

The Bracco Group is a world leading provider of global diagnostic imaging solutions, with net sales of about $1.25 billion. Bracco has operations in 115 countries and about 3,300 employees, around 600 of whom work in R&D. Bracco invests approximately 15% of its annual turnover in R&D and has a portfolio of 1,500 patents worldwide.

The Bracco Group is a leader in the diagnostic imaging market with an integrated product offering from a diverse roster of subsidiary companies. While Bracco is recognized internationally as a definitive market leader in its core business of contrast media, Bracco also markets key diagnostic imaging resources through the following companies: ACIST Medical Systems, a manufacturer of advanced contrast media injection systems; EBIT-AET, which creates and markets medical application software, and Singapore-based Volume Interactions, which also produces advanced medical software.

Bracco also operates a high-level international research network, with three centers (Milan, Geneva, and Princeton). These centers develop products of the latest-generation diagnostic techniques, from X-ray and computed tomography (CT) to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocontrast.

About Amerinet

Amerinet is the most innovative and effective health care group purchasing organization in the United States, leading the industry in flexibility with Amerinet's commitment to providing supplier choice for its members. Amerinet's national network of companies - Amerinet Central, Intermountain Health Care and Vector - has set the standard for customer service for nearly two decades. More than 1,900 hospitals and 33,000 non-acute care facilities find cost savings and value-added services through Amerinet's comprehensive contract portfolio. Members trust Amerinet to deliver proactive information and integrity and to help them save more through special programs and custom contracting opportunities.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This press pack includes also some products' commercial brands, which are not to be used unless by media addressed to the medical community.