BD Completes Acquisition of Carmel Pharma

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, today announced the completion of its acquisition of Carmel Pharma, AB, a Swedish company that manufactures the PhaSeal® System, the leading closed-system drug transfer device for the safe handling of hazardous drugs that are packaged in vials.  The acquisition expands the scope of BD's healthcare worker safety emphasis to include hazardous drug exposure reduction.

"Carmel Pharma is a leader in an early-stage market with significant long-term growth potential," said Alberto Mas, President, BD Medical – Medical Surgical Systems. "We're excited to begin moving forward to address the critically important issue of hazardous drug exposure to healthcare providers by raising awareness, driving advocacy efforts, developing pharmacy and nursing relationships, and expanding market reach around the world for this product category."

"We are pleased to welcome this new platform and these new associates to BD," said Alexandre Conroy, President, BD – Western Europe. "Healthcare worker safety is an important focus for BD in Europe, and globally. Through this acquisition, BD will be able to provide an enhanced suite of safety products to our customers."

The Company expects fully diluted earnings per share to be adversely impacted by the acquisition in fiscal year 2011 by approximately $0.05, which was not included in the fiscal year 2011 earnings guidance the Company provided in connection with the release of its third fiscal quarter earnings.

About BD

BD is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. The Company is dedicated to improving people's health throughout the world.  BD is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. BD's capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world's most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs approximately 29,000 associates in more than 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. For more information, please visit www.bd.com.

This press release contains certain estimates and other forward-looking statements (as defined under Federal securities laws) regarding the potential benefits of the acquisition that BD expects to occur or anticipates occurring in the future.  All such statements are based upon current expectations of BD and involve a number of business risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could vary materially from anticipated results described, implied or projected in any forward-looking statement.  With respect to forward-looking statements contained herein, factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to: the ability to successfully integrate Carmel Pharma's operations and programs with BD's and the time and resources required to do so; difficulties inherent in product development and delays in product introductions; competitive factors; pricing and market pressures; increases in energy costs and their effect on, among other things, the cost of producing BD's products; fluctuations in costs and availability of raw materials and in BD's ability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and relationships; changes in healthcare or other governmental regulation, including changes in government pricing and reimbursement policies or other cost containment reforms; as well as other factors discussed in BD's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We do not intend to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof except as required by applicable laws or regulations.

Contacts:
Colleen T. White, Corporate Communications – 201-847-5369
Colleen_white@bd.com

Monique N. Dolecki, Investor Relations – 201-847-5453
Monique_dolecki@bd.com

SOURCE BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)