Bausch & Lomb Acquires the Ophthalmic Business of Fidia, S.p.A.

Business Editors

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 7, 2001

Bausch & Lomb (NYSE:BOL) and Fidia Farmaceutici, S.p.A. announce today that Bausch & Lomb has acquired Fidia's ophthalmic pharmaceuticals business.

The acquisition includes the purchase of Fidia's Italian domestic ophthalmic business, Fidia Oftal, based in Catania, Italy. Fidia Oftal's line of products for the eye consists of both over-the-counter and prescription products including dry eye preparations, anti-infectives, ointments, viscoelastics, and nutraceuticals. Bausch & Lomb also acquires products in development and Fidia's ophthalmic business outside of Italy.

"This transaction is part of our strategy to expand our pharmaceutical presence within Europe by building a platform for direct distribution of Bausch & Lomb Rx products, including products based on our Envision TD technology," said Alan H. Farnsworth, Bausch & Lomb senior vice president and president - Europe, Middle East and Africa Region. "In 2000, building on our strong German ophthalmic pharmaceuticals businesses (Dr. Mann Pharma and Dr. Winzer Pharma) and its network of distributors, Bausch & Lomb acquired Groupe Chauvin, expanding our direct presence in ophthalmic pharmaceuticals in France and many other major markets in Europe. Bausch & Lomb now enters the strategically important Italian market, which is the third-largest prescription ophthalmic market in Europe."

Other terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

This news release contains, among other things, certain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events or the future business performance of Bausch & Lomb. Such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties including those concerning economic conditions, currency exchange rates, product development and introduction, the financial well-being of key customers, the successful execution of marketing strategies, the continued successful implementation of its efforts in managing and reducing costs and expenses, as well as the risk factors listed from time to time in the company's SEC filings, including but not limited to the Form 10Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001.

Bausch & Lomb Incorporated is the preeminent global technology-based healthcare company for the eye, dedicated to helping consumers see, look and feel better through innovative technology and design. Its core businesses include soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses, lens care products, ophthalmic surgical and pharmaceutical products. The company is advantaged with some of the most respected brands in the world starting with its name, Bausch & Lomb(R), and including SofLens(TM), PureVision(TM), Boston(R), ReNu(R), Storz(R) and Technolas(TM). Founded in 1853 in Rochester, N.Y., where it continues to have its headquarters, the company has annual revenues of approximately $1.8 billion and employs approximately 12,000 people in more than 50 countries. Bausch & Lomb products are available in more than 100 countries around the world. Additional information about the company can be found on Bausch & Lomb's Worldwide Web site at http://www.bausch.com.