Fisher Scientific Expands its Biopharma Services Offering; Company to Acquire Clintrak Pharmaceutical Services.

HAMPTON, N.H. -- Fisher Scientific International Inc. (NYSE: FSH) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Clintrak Pharmaceutical Services, a leading provider of clinical-trial label generation and supply-chain management services, for $125 million in cash from a group of investors led by Bear Growth Capital Partners. Clintrak had 2005 revenues of approximately $31 million.

The acquisition of Clintrak Pharmaceutical will not only enhance Fisher's existing biopharma services offering, which includes a full range of clinical-trial materials, logistics, analytical testing and bio-specimen management services, but also add complementary expertise in the area of complex clinical-trial labeling services. The Clintrak acquisition is expected to close early in the second quarter.

Fisher also announced that it has acquired privately held TC Tech, a leading provider of single-use, flexible bioprocessing systems for bioprocess development and production applications. TC Tech's products include sterile fluid-handling bags, bag manifold systems, tanks and tank liners, biopharmaceutical tubing and other components. Together with Fisher's HyClone operation, TC Tech will provide Fisher with an extensive suite of disposable fluid- management systems and validated serum and media offerings for its biopharma customers.

Fisher is funding the acquisitions with cash-on-hand and bank borrowings. The company expects the acquisitions will have no effect on its 2006 earnings per share and that they will be accretive in 2007.

About Clintrak Pharmaceutical Services

Clintrak Pharmaceutical Services is a leading provider of clinical-trial printing services, including single panel label and booklet label design and production, to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide. The company's booklet label services offer customers an accurate and cost-effective method of providing labels for global, multi-lingual clinical trials. Along with its wholly owned subsidiary, Acculogix, the company also provides clinical-trial materials and supply-chain management services for all stages of a clinical trial.

About TC Tech

TC Tech is a global supplier of sterile fluid-handling bags and related fluid transfer components to the biopharmaceutical manufacturing market. The company offers innovative technologies that maximize the utility and application base of single-use products. TC Tech has representation in more than 100 countries and works on site with customers to optimize the design of disposable fluid-handling systems.

Fisher Scientific: A World Leader in Serving Science

Fisher Scientific International Inc. (NYSE: FSH) is a leading provider of products and services to the scientific community. Fisher facilitates discovery by supplying researchers and clinicians in labs around the world with the tools they need. We serve pharmaceutical and biotech companies; colleges and universities; medical-research institutions; hospitals; reference, quality-control, process-control and R&D labs in various industries; as well as government agencies. From biochemicals, cell-culture media and proprietary RNAi technology to rapid-diagnostic tests, safety products and other consumable supplies, Fisher provides more than 600,000 products and services. This broad offering, combined with Fisher's globally integrated supply chain and unmatched sales and marketing capabilities, helps make our 350,000 customers more efficient and effective at what they do.

Founded in 1902, Fisher Scientific is a FORTUNE 500 company and is a component of the S&P 500 Index. With approximately 19,500 employees worldwide, the company had revenues of $5.6 billion in 2005. Fisher Scientific is a company committed to delivering on our promises -- to customers, shareholders and employees alike. Additional information about Fisher is available on the company's Web site at www.fisherscientific.com

About Bear Growth Capital Partners

Bear Growth Capital Partners (BGCP) is an affiliate of Bear Stearns Merchant Banking, the private equity arm of the Bear Stearns Companies Inc. (NYSE:BSC). BGCP focuses on making investments in middle market companies valued between $20 and $100 million. BGCP invests in compelling growth capital opportunities, traditional buyouts, recapitalizations, co-investments, and control and minority ownership positions alongside superior management teams and other private equity sponsors. More information about BGCP can be found at www.bsmb.com.

Forward-looking Statements 

This announcement includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All such statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events. No assurances can be given that Fisher Scientific's assumptions and expectations will prove to have been correct, and actual results could vary materially from these assumptions and expectations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results predicted include challenges presented by our acquisitions; economic and political risks related to our international operations; changes in the healthcare industry; the impact of government regulation; dependence on our customers' research and development efforts; and changes or disruptions in our relationships with our customers, suppliers and key employees, together with other potential risks and uncertainties, all of which are detailed under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Fisher Scientific's annual reports on Form 10-K and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of such reports are available on Fisher Scientific's Web site at www.fisherscientific.com and on the SEC's Web site at www.sec.gov. Fisher Scientific undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.