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Biohit Has Acquired Vangard Internationa

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BIOHIT PLC. STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE  27.4.2000  at 11:30 a.m.  1 (2)

Biohit Has Acquired Vangard International, Inc. in the U.S.

Biohit Systems, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Biohit Plc., acquired the
entire share capital of Vangard International, Inc. on April 25, 2000.
Through the acquisition Biohit aims to clarify and reinforce the sales
and  marketing as well as the maintenance and calibration services for
its  products  in  the U.S. The acquisition of Vangard  International,
Inc.  along  with the increase in the sales, marketing and maintenance
personnel  is  expected to speed up penetration into the U.S.  market.
Since  1997 the share of the U.S. of the net sales of the Biohit Group
has  increased from 14% to 20%. The objective of Biohit is that  in  a
few years the share of the U.S. of Group net sales will be 35 - 40%.

Biohit  is  a high technology company, which specializes in laboratory
equipment  and is strongly developing through its diagnostic  products
also  into  a  biotechnology company. The  main  products  of  Biohit,
established  in  1988,  have  until  last  year  been  electronic  and
mechanical liquid handling devices and their disposable tips.  In  the
business area of diagnostics Biohit develops, manufactures and markets
monoclonal antibodies for the detection of different types of  cancer.
Moreover,  Biohit has developed a test panel for, e.g., screening  the
risk   of  gastric  cancer  and  peptic  ulcer.  Biohit  is  currently
developing  also liquid handling and measurement instruments  for  its
patented  microplate,  which serves as the basis  for  the  diagnostic
tests of the Company.

Compared  with other companies, which have recently listed in Finland,
Biohit has been able to protect its proprietary assets and products by
numerous patents. Biohit has a strong international marketing  network
and  it  engages in co-operation with such multinational companies  as
bioMérieux,  Johnson  &  Johnson and 3M. Biohit's  subsidiary  network
covers the most important market areas. In 1999 62% of Group net sales
was  generated  by the subsidiary network. The primary  customers  for
Biohit's products are research laboratories, industry and health care.
In  addition, the multinational companies mentioned above, as well  as
others,  complement Biohit's products and technologies with their  own
product ranges and diagnostic systems.

Biohit Plc.

Helena Hentola
Information Management

Additional information:  Osmo Suovaniemi, President & CEO, tel: +358-9
                         773 861, direct: +358-9-773 86 250, fax: +358-
                         9-773 86 205, GSM: 050-556 5605

                         http://www.biohit.com

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Distribution:            Helsinki Exchanges
                         The Financial Supervisory Authority
                         Press

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