Letter of Intent signed

Aortech International PLC
9 April 2002



                           AorTech International plc


            Intended US$52m acquisition of BD Critical Care business



AorTech International plc ('AorTech'), the Scottish-based developer and
manufacturer of cardiovascular devices, announces that it has entered into a non
binding Letter of Intent with BD (Becton Dickinson and Co) to acquire BD's
Critical Care business. Negotiations concerning the definitive agreement between
the parties are continuing and a final announcement on the terms of the
acquisition will be made in due course.



BD's Critical Care business manufactures and sells speciality catheters,
pressure transducers and related supplies for haemodynamic patient monitoring.
In the year ended 30th September, 2001 turnover for the business based on
unaudited management accounts was US$47 million.



The purchase price payable by Aortech is expected to be circa US$52 million
subject to adjustment.  About one half of the purchase price is expected to be
paid over approximately thirty (30) months, subject to sales performance
adjustments. It is anticipated that the initial consideration will be met
principally from debt finance and the Company's available cash resources.
Under the proposed terms of this agreement AorTech will acquire BD's Yishun
Critical Care manufacturing operations in Singapore and certain other assets,
including inventory, intellectual property rights and a worldwide distribution
network.



The proposed transaction will be subject to the approval of AorTech's Board of
directors and shareholders as well as BDs Board of directors.



Eddie McDaid, Chairman and CEO of AorTech said,



'The acquisition of this business will add a complementary range of products
which is expected to enhance market penetration of our TruCCOMS System
throughout the world, and in particular in Europe, Asia and Japan.  It will also
broaden AorTech's management team, add an experienced sales team and give us a
modern, low cost manufacturing plant in Singapore with approximately 350
employees.'



                                                                  9th April 2002




ENQUIRIES:


AorTech International plc                                     Tel: [phone]
Eddie McDaid, Chairman & Chief Executive

College Hill                                                  Tel: [phone]
Michael Padley
Nicholas Nelson





                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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