Avista Capital Partners Agrees to Acquire Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging for Approximately $525 Million

NEW YORK, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Avista Capital Partners, a leading private equity firm, announced today the parties have signed a definitive agreement for Avista to acquire Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging ("BMS MI"), a business unit of Bristol-Myers Squibb, for approximately $525 million of cash proceeds. BMS MI is a leading supplier of medical imaging products for nuclear and ultrasound cardiovascular diagnostic imaging procedures.

"As Bristol-Myers Squibb continues to focus on evolving into a next- generation BioPharma company, we determined the best way to maximize the value of Medical Imaging for shareholders was to sell this business and reinvest the proceeds into our pharmaceutical research, development and commercialization efforts," said James M. Cornelius, chief executive officer, Bristol-Myers Squibb. "At the same time, we believe that Medical Imaging can maximize its potential under new ownership, and Avista has a proven track record of success in the healthcare field."

David Burgstahler, a partner at Avista Capital Partners, said, "Bristol- Myers Squibb Medical Imaging is widely recognized as a pioneer in cardiovascular imaging agents, and for its strong technical manufacturing expertise. BMS MI is a great fit for our healthcare portfolio, as it addresses the healthcare industry's increasing need for improved diagnostic tools. We believe it is well-positioned for continued success."

The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of January 2008, subject to customary regulatory approvals, at which time BMS MI will operate as an independent company under a new name. Don Kiepert, the founder and former Chairman, CEO, and President of Point Therapeutics, will become the chief executive officer of the company upon completion of the transaction. "I am thrilled to be partnering with the existing management team of BMS MI and Avista Capital as we transition BMS MI to an independent company," said Kiepert.

"BMS MI has exceptional brands, a cutting-edge research and development facility, and a knowledgeable sales force. It is a great fit for our healthcare portfolio, as it addresses the healthcare industry's increasing need for improved diagnostic tools," said Larry Pickering, Avista Capital Partners' healthcare industry partner. "We believe that BMS MI is well- positioned for continued success and Don Kiepert is the right leader to optimize the growth opportunities within BMS MI's pipeline."

Tim Ravenscroft, president of BMS MI said, "The Avista team is committed to long-term growth, and as the new owner of the business, will renew our focus on developing and expanding our business."

Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging will be Avista's sixth investment in the healthcare industry. On December 13, 2007, Avista agreed to acquire from Boston Scientific its Fluid Management and Venous Access businesses. Also in 2007, Avista made healthcare investments in BioReliance (http://www.bioreliance.com/) and VWR International (http://www.vwr.com/), and in 2006 Avista announced investments in Nycomed (http://www.nycomed.com/) and MedServe (http://www.medserveinc.com/). While at DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, the Avista partners were involved in numerous healthcare transactions including Accellent, Charles River Laboratories, Focus Diagnostics, KCI, NextPharma, Prometheus Labs, and Warner Chilcott.

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. served as financial advisor for Bristol-Myers Squibb and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP served as legal counsel for the company. Weil, Gotshal & Manges served as legal counsel for Avista Capital Partners.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb and Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is a global biopharmaceutical and related health care products company. Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging is a worldwide leader in cardiovascular imaging. Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging is a subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. For more information, visit http://www.bms.com/.

About Avista Capital Partners

Avista Capital Partners is a leading private equity firm with offices in New York, NY and Houston, TX. Founded in 2005, Avista's strategy is to make controlling or influential minority investments primarily in growth-oriented media, healthcare and energy companies. Through its team of seasoned investment professionals and industry experts, Avista seeks to partner with exceptional management teams to invest in and add value to well-positioned businesses. For more information, visit http://www.avistacap.com/.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT FOR BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding a proposed agreement for the sale of a business unit of Bristol-Myers Squibb.. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Specifically, there can be no guarantee that the proposed transaction described in this news release will be completed by January 2008 or will be completed at all. Forward-looking statements in the press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Bristol- Myers Squibb's business, particularly those identified in the cautionary factors discussion in Bristol- Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Bristol-Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward- looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.