BILLERICA, Mass., and LOGAN, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 2004--
Millipore Corporation (NYSE: MIL), a multinational bioscience company, and HyClone Laboratories today announced the formation of a bioprocessing alliance. HyClone is a global leader in cell culture consumables and disposable bioprocess liquid containment products and a subsidiary of Fisher Scientific International Inc. (NYSE: FSH), a world leader in serving science.

The alliance between Millipore and HyClone combines the critical elements required for value-added disposable manufacturing solutions. Biopharmaceutical manufacturers will have one supplier contact for the design, development, and validation support of disposable manufacturing systems combining HyClone bioprocess containers with various Millipore disposable separation products.

Disposable processing systems received initial acceptance as cost-saving measures. Now, proven benefits include not only lower costs, but also less down-time, enhanced process security, greater process flexibility, and the capacity to facilitate greater speed-to-market. Disposable manufacturing also enables companies to run multiple products in a single plant without risking cross-contamination.

"Both Millipore and HyClone have worked with pioneering biopharmaceutical companies to validate single-use disposable systems. Our collaborative efforts indicate that these companies are committing significant resources to the validation and implementation of disposable strategies," said Susan Vogt, President of Millipore's BioPharmaceutical division.

Through this relationship, HyClone and Millipore will jointly address customers' needs for disposable combined products for pilot plant, process development and production applications. Future innovations required to meet evolving industry demands for combined products will come through the alliance partners' complementary R&D efforts in separation technology, connectology, and in validation, and applications engineering.

"This alliance delivers the competencies and reliability required to support the continuing acceptance and growth of disposable biopharma manufacturing," said Leland Foster, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fisher Scientific's Biochemicals Group. "The expertise both companies bring to the effort can speed the drug development process and enhance customer process economics."

As the industry advances in linking disposable technologies with existing stainless steel and in replacing stainless steel, it is essential that Millipore and HyClone's single point resource for design, procurement, and support of combined products saves companies time, money, and effort. Offerings of combined products minimize peripheral components, reduce the incoming QC burden, and facilitate an integrated approach to the IQ/OQ/PQ validation process. Combining Millipore's global sales and support functions with HyClone's film and container expertise ensures an unparalleled approach to providing fully integrated disposable solutions. This is a step toward the future "Plastic Factory" vision, which describes a complete manufacturing process constructed entirely of disposable, single-use flow paths.

About Millipore

Millipore is a multinational bioscience company that provides technologies, tools and services for the discovery, development, and production of new therapeutic drugs. It serves the life science research, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries. For more information about Millipore visit www.millipore.com.

About HyClone

HyClone is a global manufacturer of sera, liquid and powdered media, sterile liquids, and sterile liquid handling systems to support research and production of biopharmaceuticals. HyClone is owned by Fisher Scientific International. For more information about HyClone visit the web site at www.hyclone.com or phone 435-792-8000 or toll-free 1-800-492-5663.

About Fisher Scientific International Inc.

As a world leader in serving science, Fisher Scientific International Inc. (NYSE: FSH) offers more than 600,000 products and services to more than 350,000 customers located in approximately 145 countries. As a result of its broad product offering, electronic-commerce capabilities and integrated global logistics network, Fisher serves as a one-stop source of products, services and global solutions for its customers. The company's primary target markets are life science, clinical laboratory and industrial-safety supply. Additional information about Fisher is available on the company's Web site at www.fisherscientific.com.

Millipore Forward Looking Statement Disclaimer

The matters discussed herein, as well as in future oral and written statements by management of Millipore Corporation that are forward-looking statements, are based on current management expectations that involve substantial risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties that could affect Millipore's future operating results include, without limitation, foreign exchange rates; regulatory delay in the approval of new therapeutics and their ultimate commercial success; further consolidation of drug manufacturers; competitive factors such as new membrane technology; lack of availability of raw materials or component products on a timely basis; inventory risks due to shifts in market demand; change in product mix; conditions in the economy in general and in the bioscience markets in particular; potential environmental liabilities; the inability to utilize technology in current or planned products due to overriding rights by third parties; difficulties inherent in research and development activities; and the risk factors listed from time to time in Millipore's filings with the SEC.

Fisher Forward Looking Statement

This announcement includes forward-looking statements. Fisher Scientific has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and projections about future events. Although Fisher Scientific believes that its assumptions made in connection with the forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurances can be given that its assumptions and expectations will prove to have been correct. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions. 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. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this announcement might not occur.

Millipore is a registered trademark of Millipore Corporation and HyClone is a registered trademark of HyClone Laboratories Inc.

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Contact:

Millipore Corporation
Media Contact:
Thomas Anderson, 978-715-1043 or 800-225-3384
Vice President, Corporate Communications
Thomas_Anderson@Millipore.com
or
Investor Contact:
Geoffrey Helliwell, 978-715-1041 or 800-225-3384
Treasurer
Geoffrey_Helliwell@Millipore.com
or
Fisher Scientific International Inc.
Media Contact:
Gia Oei, 603-929-2489
Director of Corporate Communications
Gia.Oei@nh.fishersci.com
or
Investor Contact:
Carolyn Miller, 603-929-2381
Director of Investor Relations
Carolyn.Miller@nh.fishersci.com

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Fisher Scientific International's business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.