Becton Dickinson Creates Single Bioscience/Diagnostic Business.

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 3, 1998--Becton Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) announced this week plans to integrate three existing businesses to form a single worldwide bioscience/diagnostic business. The integration will bring together Baltimore-based Becton Dickinson Microbiology Systems, Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry Systems, based in San Jose, California and Becton Dickinson Labware, based in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. The integration will be effective January 1, 1999.

"We believe we can drive our bioscience and diagnostic efforts faster and more successfully as one worldwide business," said Clateo Castellini, chairman, president and CEO. "The in vitro diagnostic industry is rapidly changing, the clinical laboratory market is consolidating, and our customers are creating larger, more automated laboratories. We believe this new structure gives us the scope and reach to capitalize on new opportunities - in particular emerging new technologies - and become more relevant to the needs of our customers."

Deborah J. Neff, 45, who is currently president of Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry Systems/Labware, has been named president of the newly formed business (yet to be named), which will be headquartered in San Jose. Ms. Neff will maintain offices in San Jose and Baltimore.

Vincent A. Forlenza, 45, president, Becton Dickinson Microbiology Systems, has been named senior vice president, Becton Dickinson Corporate Strategic Planning and Development, also effective January 1, 1999. He will be replacing Walter M. Miller, who had previously announced his plans to retire. Mr. Forlenza will be relocating to the company's corporate headquarters in Franklin Lakes.

"We plan to build a higher growth organization around our core competencies in microbiology, flow cytometry and cellular environments, bringing a sharper focus to the diagnostic, life science research and industrial markets," said Ms. Neff. "In the next several months we will be working to design a new business structure that focuses on growth and performance, brings our collective resources to bear on key company activities, and results in synergy and greater efficiency in overall operations."

Becton Dickinson and Company is a global medical technology company that manufacturers and sells a broad range of medical devices and diagnostic systems for use by health care professionals, medical research institutions, industry and the general public. In 1997, the company's revenues and net income were $2.8 billion.

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements (as defined under Federal securities laws) regarding the company's performance, including future revenues, products and income, which are based upon current expectations of the company and involve a number of business risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from anticipated results described in any forward- looking statement. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially include, but are not limited to, competitive factors, changes in regional, national or foreign economic conditions, changes in interest or foreign currency exchange rates, delays in product introductions, year 2000 issues, and changes in health care or other governmental regulation, as well as other factors discussed herein and in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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