SIGMA-ALDRICH TO ACQUIRE JRH BIOSCIENCES TO BROADEN LIFE SCIENCE CAPABILITIES FOR $370 MILLION

Sigma-Aldrich has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the JRH Biosciences division (JRH) of CSL, for $370 million in cash, subject to normal closing adjustments. JRH is a leading global supplier of cell culture and sera products to the biopharmaceutical industry with 2004 sales of approximately $150 million, which are expected to increase by approximately 10 percent in 2005. As much as ten months of JRH's operating results will be added to Sigma-Aldrich's performance in 2005 depending on the closing date for the transaction.

BioSpace (http://www.biospace.com/news_story.cfm?StoryID=18730220)