Beckman Coulter Buys Out Royalty Obligation for Preeclampsia Markers

        Initiates Clinical Trials Phase of Test Development Program



    ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., Aug. 18 /EMWNews/ -- Beckman

Coulter, Inc. (NYSE: BEC) announced today that it signed an agreement to

buy out its U.S. royalty obligation to Nephromics LLC, a Chestnut Hill,

Mass.-based company focused on women's health. The license is for tests

related to the detection, monitoring and risk assessment of preeclampsia, a

leading cause of maternal death. In addition, Beckman Coulter obtained

rights to acquire the worldwide diagnostics assets of Nephromics.



    



    "Currently, there are no specific in vitro diagnostic tests for

preeclampsia, even though the disease threatens the lives of thousands of

women and their babies, and places a significant burden on healthcare

systems worldwide," said Mike Whelan, vice president of Beckman Coulter's

High Sensitivity Testing Business Group. "We expect that, once we complete

our development program, these tests will help improve the outcomes of

at-risk pregnancies. It is a powerful example of our commitment to provide

clinical laboratories with the tools that improve patient health and reduce

the cost of care. Our expectations for diagnostic testing related to

maternal and fetal well-being leads us to believe that buying out our U.S.

royalty obligation will create substantial value for our shareholders."



    Beckman Coulter has initiated the clinical trial phase of its test

development program. The new tests, expected to be useful as an aid in

helping physicians diagnose preeclampsia, are being developed for use on

the company's family of UniCel(R) DxI and Access(R) immunoassay systems, as

well as UniCel DxCi chemistry-immunoassay work cells. The company plans to

begin offering the tests by the end of 2009.



    Preeclampsia, often characterized by hypertension and protein in the

urine, occurs in up to 10 percent of all pregnancies in the developed

world. During preeclampsia, the child is at risk from reduced placental

blood circulation and function. The condition may result in premature

birth, low birth weight and respiratory distress syndrome. For the mother,

preeclampsia can mean seizures, brain, liver or other organ damage, even

death. According to the World Health Organization, in the United States

alone, preeclampsia is responsible for 18 percent of all maternal deaths,

80,000 premature births and numerous neonatal complications, and costs more

than $7 billion in healthcare costs annually. With early detection, it may

be possible to provide treatment to prevent serious complications.

    About Beckman Coulter



    Beckman Coulter, Inc., based in Orange County, California, develops,

manufactures and markets products that simplify, automate and innovate

complex biomedical tests. More than 200,000 Beckman Coulter systems operate

in laboratories around the world, supplying critical information for

improving patient health and reducing the cost of care. Recurring revenue,

consisting of supplies, test kits, service and operating-type lease

payments, represents approximately 78 percent of the company's 2007 annual

revenue of $2.76 billion. For more information, visit

http://www.beckmancoulter.com.



    Forward-looking Statements



    This press release contains forward-looking statements, including

statements regarding Beckman Coulter's development of a preeclampsia test.

These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions. Actual

results could differ materially from those anticipated by these

forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, some of

which may be beyond Beckman Coulter's control. Please see Beckman Coulter's

reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for information

about the risks and uncertainties associated with Beckman Coulter's

business. Beckman Coulter disclaims any intention or obligation to update

or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new

information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.






     Contacts:

     Cynthia Skoglund,                    Mary Luthy,

     Investor Relations                   Corporate Communications

     714.773.7620                         714.773.7964

     [email protected]               [email protected]