N E W S   R E L E A S E 

For Information Contact:
Joni Morford, Communicore
714/721-8081
jmorford@communicore.com


JOHNSON & JOHNSON'S ADVANCED STERILIZATION PRODUCTS FORMS EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENTS WITH FIVE MAJOR
HEALTHCARE PURCHASING GROUPS


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.....22 February 1996.....Irvine, Calif.....Advanced Sterilization 
Products (ASP), a member of Johnson & Johnson's group of companies and manufacturer of the 
STERRAD¨ Sterilization System for medical and surgical instruments, today announced that the 
company has established exclusive contracts valued at over $300 million with five of the nation's 
largest healthcare purchasing groups.  

Columbia/HCA, American Healthcare Systems (AmHS), Shared Services, SunHealth, and Health 
Services Corporation of America (HSCA) have agreed to join in three-year contracts establishing 
ASP as their sole provider of technologies for low-temperature gas plasma sterilization 
applications.  Together, the groups represent approximately 3,200 institutions, more than half of 
all hospitals performing surgery in the United States.

According to Ted Toch, vice president of marketing and sales at ASP, the new agreements are 
expected to support the company's continued sales momentum, and will allow ASP to build on 
the more than 1,000 STERRAD units it has sold worldwide in the two years since the product was 
cleared for marketing by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  "This is a 
tremendous opportunity," Toch said.  "We are pleased that ASP has been recognized by these 
major purchasing alliances as the industry leader in low-temperature gas plasma sterilization."

The STERRAD Sterilization System is a medical sterilizer based on a patented process involving 
the generation of a low-temperature gas plasma from hydrogen peroxide.  Results from 
laboratory tests, required of the system to receive marketing clearance from the United States 
Food and Drug Administration, demonstrate the technology's efficacy in destroying a broad 
spectrum of microorganisms on medical and surgical instruments.  In contrast to EtO, the 
STERRAD System does not leave toxic residues on surgical instruments and equipment, 
eliminating the need for a lengthy aeration phase, and sterile instruments may be used 
immediately following the 75-minute sterilization cycle.  The system is safe for healthcare 
workers, patients, and the environment--no vents, drains, monitors, or protective garments are 
required.  

Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP), a division of Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc., 
manufactures and markets innovative sterilization technologies and products that provide safe, 
effective, and economically sound solutions for the needs of healthcare providers.  The company 
is based in Irvine, Calif.


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