• Global agreement for distribution of Bead Block™
• Terumo – a global medical technology company based in Japan – selected as global exclusive distributor of Bead Block™
• Terumo is estimated to be number three in the market for medical devices used by interventional radiologists
• Agreement extends existing relationship with Terumo, which is already the distributor of Bead Block™ in Europe
• Terumo’s global sales for year end 31st March 2003 were $1.7bn, of which $612m was outside Japan

Biocompatibles International plc (“Biocompatibles”), the medical device company focused on the treatment of cardiovascular disease, cancer and benign tumors, is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Terumo Corporation (“Terumo”) for the distribution of its Bead Block™ embolic product through Terumo’s Interventional Systems Organization.

Terumo is a global medical technology company based in Japan that supplies a range of products for angiography, cardiology, cardiovascular systems and other medical products. Terumo’s global sales for year end 2003 were $1.7bn of which $612m was outside Japan. Terumo is estimated to be number three in the market for medical devices used by interventional radiologists and holds a share leadership position in peripheral specialty guidewires. Bead Block™ will fit into Terumo’s range of interventional products which had world wide sales in year end 2003 of $290m.

In March 2003 Biocompatibles appointed Terumo as the exclusive distributor for Bead Blockä through its direct sales force serving the interventional radiology market in Europe, Israel and North Africa. This distribution agreement builds on the relationship Biocompatibles has already forged with Terumo in Europe.

Commenting on the agreement, Crispin Simon, Chief Executive of Biocompatibles said: “Terumo is a substantial and successful medical technology company with a great reputation with interventional radiologists. We are very pleased that following a satisfactory start in the European market, Terumo has selected Bead Block™ as a key product for the next phase of their development.”

Yutaro Shintaku, Terumo Interventional Systems, added “We are delighted that Biocompatibles has selected Terumo as its exclusive distributor for Bead Block™. The expansion of Terumo’s existing partnership with Biocompatibles means that we are able to further enhance our portfolio of products for the interventional radiologist around the globe. We believe Bead Block™ meets market needs and that together we can secure a valuable position in this exciting market.”

   Contacts

• Biocompatibles: Tel. +44 1252 732 732 - www.biocompatibles.com
  Crispin Simon, Chief Executive - Swag Mukerji, Finance Director

• The Maitland Consultancy: Tel.+44 20 7379 5151
  Brian Hudspith - Emma Burdett

• The Trout Group: Tel. +1 212 477 9007 ext. 22
  Lee Stern

• Terumo: Tel. +33 1 39 30 95 75 or +32 16 381 517
  Gaia Banks - info@terumo-europe.com
  

  Notes for Editors

• Biocompatibles International plc (“the Company”) is a medical device company focused on the treatment of cardiovascular disease, cancer and benign tumours. The Company’s proprietary biomedical polymer systems provide medical devices with enhanced biocompatibility and offer a platform for drug delivery. Further information is available at www.biocompatibles.com

• Bead Block™ is a precisely calibrated, compressible, visibility-tinted microsphere made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), an established material in embolisation therapy, and licensed from BioCure Inc. (BioCure Inc is a private medical device company, spun off from Novartis’ CibaVision subsidiary, and headquartered in Norcross, Georgia USA). Interventional radiologists use embolisation therapy to block blood flow to tumours or vascular malformations.

• Terumo Corporation is a Japanese global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products and services. Terumo is recognized worldwide for frequent innovations and the outstanding quality of its systems. The wide range of quality products for angiography, cardiology and cardiovascular systems, transfusion, clinical test systems and patient monitoring, comply with the highest standards in the medical world and constantly contribute to the healthcare of people in more than 160 countries.