GILSON, INC. ANNOUNCES JOINT VENTURE WITH OMNILAB BIOSYSTEMS AG

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology solution providers join forces to confirm their commitment to the Swiss market.

Gilson, Inc. announces a joint venture with OmniLab Biosystems AG, with Gilson becoming an important investor and shareholder in OmniLab Biosystems AG. This collaboration is the next logical progression in a successful business relationship that started in January 1995. To emphasize this partnership, beginning in January 2002, OmniLab Biosystems AG will be re-named Gilson (Schweiz) AG.

Gilson (Schweiz) AG will continue to serve as the exclusive Gilson distributor in Switzerland, and will specialize in the sales, service, and support of the Manual Liquid Handling, Automation, and Robotic product lines for the genomic, proteomic, and drug discovery markets.

With the integration of Gilson (Schweiz) AG into the Gilson International B.V. family and Gilson worldwide network, the Swiss market will benefit from faster and more efficient communications from research and manufacturing sites, as well as from new technologies developed and brought to market by Gilson, Inc.

OmniLab AG will remain a fully independent company, and will continue to focus on sales activities outside the Gilson product line.

About Gilson, Inc.:
Gilson, Inc. (with headquarters in Middleton, Wisconsin, USA) is a leading manufacturer of specialized pipettes and instrumentation for the genomic, proteomic, and drug discovery markets. Gilson has developed an extensive line of instrumentation specifically designed to increase throughput, shorten life cycles, and improve assay quality. More information on the solutions offered by Gilson, Inc. can be found at <http://www.gilson.com>.