Becton Dickinson and Company Acquires MDI Instruments, Inc.

WOBURN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 13, 1998--MDI Instruments, Inc., a medical device company, announced today that Franklin Lakes, New Jersey-based Becton Dickinson and Company (NYSE-BDX), a global medical technology corporation, has completed the acquisition of MDI.

MDI Instruments was founded in 1994 to commercialize applications of patented acoustic reflectometry technology for detection of middle ear fluid (otitis media with effusion - OME) and ear infection (acute otitis media - AOM). MDI introduced EarCheck PRO(TM), a professional product for detection of OME in May, 1997, and EarCheck(TM), a consumer product for monitoring middle ear fluid levels, in August 1997. Over the last few months, MDI has secured broad retail distribution for the EarCheck product. MDI joins the Becton Dickinson Home Health Care business of its Consumer Health Care Division, adding to a product offering representative of a leadership position in home diagnostic products including fever measurement and blood pressure monitoring devices.

According to Lou Marcelina, Vice President and General Manager of Worldwide Home Health Care for Becton Dickinson, "The acquisition of MDI is a key step in our overall plan to grow our consumer businesses globally and broadly. MDI brings to Becton Dickinson a unique and exciting diagnostic technology that addresses otitis media, the most frequently diagnosed illness among preschool age children." The MDI line of middle ear monitors complements the Becton Dickinson line of fever measurement products which include B-D brand glass and digital thermometers and the B-D Assure brand tympanic (IR) thermometer, enhancing Becton Dickinson's leadership position in consumer diagnostics. The combined resources of both companies will expedite the development of future, revolutionary, quality consumer products positioned to help all people live healthier lives.

Becton Dickinson manufactures and sells a broad range of medical supplies and devices and diagnostic systems for use by health care professionals, medical research institutions and the general public. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, Becton Dickinson had total operating revenues of $2.8 billion and net income of $300 million.