BATTELLE AND VWR BIOSCIENCES ANNOUNCE MUTUAL SERVICES AND SALES AGREEMENT
October 4, 2006

BATTELLE AND VWR BIOSCIENCES ANNOUNCE MUTUAL SERVICES AND SALES AGREEMENT

Columbus, OH--Battelle and VWR International, Inc., have entered into a strategic alliance to serve the needs of clients across the range of life sciences industries. VWR, which recently established the VWR BioSciences Division to provide research and development services, will collaborate with Battelle Science and Technology International, a major division of research giant Battelle, to offer a broad spectrum of technical services to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and other life sciences industries.

This new alliance allows Battelle to benefit from the breadth and expertise of VWR's sales channels in the U.S. and Europe to identify clients who can use Battelle's existing research and development services. The technical services encompassed as a result of this agreement cover the entire product development continuum. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"This is a very promising collaboration for both Battelle and VWR BioSciences," said Greg Frank, Executive Vice President of Battelle Science and Technology International. "It allows us to tap into a global sales force that will link the full spectrum of life sciences companies to our high-end research services-and ultimately add to our ability to advance healthcare worldwide."

Battelle recently dedicated a $25 million laboratory wing to its Biomedical Research Center in Ohio, marking a significant increase in biomedical research capabilities. Researchers and scientists perform vital work such as testing new vaccines, therapeutics, and antidotes in support of a variety of biological programs and pharmaceutical product development. Research conducted at Battelle has contributed to medical advances in emerging infectious diseases, and to the development of diagnostic devices and therapeutic products and treatments.

"VWR BioSciences offers contract-based research services to allow our customers to work more efficiently, and with greater confidence, in their drug discovery and development pursuits-in effect accelerating time-to-market for their lead therapeutics and medical device efforts." said Zishan Haroon, M.D., Ph.D., General Manager and Global Vice President, VWR BioSciences. "Our collaboration with Battelle allows us to present a comprehensive set of research and development services on a global basis and completes VWR BioSciences offering as a true end-to-end solution for discovery through development needs. This relationship is a win-win proposition for all involved- our customers, Battelle and VWR BioSciences."

Battelle provides a broad range of life sciences research and development services to government and private organizations to improve the public's health through the application of science and technology to promote wellness, prevent disease, improve the diagnosis and treatment of disease and advance homeland security.

About Battelle

Battelle is a global leader in science and technology. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, it develops and commercializes technology and manages laboratories for customers. Battelle, with the national labs it manages or co-manages, oversees 20,000 staff members and conducts $3.4 billion in annual research and development. Battelle innovations have included pioneering work on compact disc technology; fiber optics for telecommunications; new medical products to fight diabetes, cancer and heart disease; breakthroughs in environmental waste treatment; homeland security technologies; and advancements in transportation safety and security.

For more information, visit www.battelle.org or contact National Media Relations Manager Katy Delaney at (410) 306-8638 or at delaneyk@battelle.org.

About VWR International, Inc.

VWR International is a leader in the global research laboratory industry with worldwide sales of $3.0 billion US dollars. VWR's business is highly diversified across a spectrum of products and services, customer groups and geography. The company offers more than 1,200,000 products, from more than 2,500 manufacturers, to over 250,000 customers throughout North America and Europe. VWR's primary customers work in the pharmaceutical, life science, chemical, technology, food processing and consumer product industries. Other important customers include universities and research institutes; governmental agencies; environmental testing organizations; and primary and secondary schools. VWR International affiliates operate in 20 countries and employ approximately 6,100 people. The company's mission is to deliver excellence in the distribution of scientific supplies. The VWR International Group is headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

For more information on VWR International, phone 1-800-932-5000, visit www.vwr.com or write, VWR International, Inc., 1310 Goshen Parkway, P.O. Box 2656, West Chester, PA 19380-0906.

Business Contacts
Battelle Science and
Technology International 		VWR International, Inc
Michael Welther Kevin Wynant
Columbus Operations 1310 Goshen Parkway
505 King Ave West Chester, PA 19380
Columbus, OH 43201 Phone: 610-429-5565
Phone: 614-424-3535 Email: Kevin_Wynant@vwr.com
Email: weltherM@battelle.org