Analytical Technologies division of MDS to be acquired by Danaher

Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with MDS Inc. (TSX: MDS; NYSE: MDZ) to acquire the Analytical Technologies division of MDS, which includes a 50% ownership position in Applied Biosystems/MDS Sciex joint venture ("AB SCIEX"), a mass spectrometry business, and a 100% ownership position in the former Molecular Devices Corporation, a bioresearch and analytical instrumentation company. In a separate, but related transaction, Danaher also announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with Life Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: LIFE) to acquire the remaining 50% ownership position in AB SCIEX. After completion of both transactions, Danaher will own outright AB SCIEX and Molecular Devices. The aggregate purchase price for the combined transactions is $1.1 billion, including debt assumed and net of cash acquired.

AB SCIEX is a leading designer and manufacturer of mass spectrometers, highly sensitive and sophisticated instruments used by researchers and clinicians to identify and quantify specific molecules in complex samples. AB SCIEX sells into the research, applied and clinical markets. Typical applications include proteomics research, drug development, food and environmental safety testing and diagnostics testing. Customers include academic and research institutions, pharmaceutical development labs primarily supporting clinical trials, testing and reference labs and hospitals. Molecular Devices supplies high-performance bio-analytical instrumentation systems and consumables that accelerate and improve research productivity and effectiveness in life science research and drug discovery.

The acquired businesses will operate within Danaher's Medical Technologies segment, joining Danaher's Leica, Radiometer, Sybron, and KaVo businesses, and will expand the segment's annual revenues by more than $650 million. The acquired businesses will increase Danaher's life sciences and diagnostics annual revenues to more than $2 billion. Danaher's Medical Technologies brands are some of the most highly recognized in each of their respective product segments.

Danaher's President and CEO, H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., said, "AB SCIEX is the market leader in mass spectrometry and its instruments address the needs of a broad scientific community involved in many applications including the research, applied and clinical markets. Additionally, Molecular Devices is known for high-quality, innovative products in the segments it serves. We are excited about the opportunity to acquire two leading brands in the life sciences instrumentation market, which will complement our existing Medical Technologies businesses and present an attractive value creation opportunity."

The transaction with MDS Inc. is subject to approval of the MDS shareholders. Both transactions are subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions, including the absence of material adverse change with respect to the acquired businesses. Danaher expects the transactions to close in the fourth quarter of 2009.