[LOGO] FISHER SCIENTIFIC
       INTERNATIONAL INC.

NEWS RELEASE


Media Contact:                           Investor Contact:
Gia L. Oei, 603-929-2489                 Carolyn Miller, 603-929-2381
E-mail: Gia.Oei@nh.fishersci.com         E-mail: Carolyn.Miller@nh.fishersci.com


                   FISHER SCIENTIFIC EXTENDS ACCEPTANCE PERIOD
                   FOR OFFER TO PERBIO SCIENCE AB SHAREHOLDERS

HAMPTON, N.H., Aug. 14, 2003 -- Fisher Scientific International Inc. (NYSE: FSH)
announced today that it has extended the acceptance period for its cash offer
(the "Offer") to purchase all of the outstanding shares and certain warrants of
Perbio Science AB (Stockholm: PBIO) until 4 p.m. Central European Time (CET) on
Aug. 25.

The board of directors of Perbio has unanimously recommended the acceptance of
the Offer, and all terms and conditions of the Offer remain the same. The board
of directors and management of Perbio have undertaken to tender their shares and
warrants under the Offer. Based upon future events and circumstances occurring
during and at the end of the Offer, including the number of shares tendered,
Fisher may consider waiving the 90 percent minimum acceptance condition.

Perbio Science is a $250 million manufacturer and supplier of technologies,
products and services to the life-science and biotechnology industries.

ABOUT FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.

Fisher Scientific International Inc. (NYSE: FSH) is the world leader in serving
science. We enable scientific discovery and clinical-laboratory testing services
by offering more than 600,000 products and services to over 350,000 customers in
approximately 145 countries. As a result of our broad product offering,
electronic-commerce capabilities, and integrated global logistics network,
Fisher serves as a one-stop source of products, services and global solutions
for many of our customers. The company primarily serves the scientific-research,
clinical-laboratory and safety markets. Additional information about Fisher is
available on the company's Web site at www.fisherscientific.com.

                                    - more -


Fisher Scientific Extends Acceptance Period for Offer to Perbio Shareholders - 2


UNITED STATES

The offer is not being made, and this announcement does not constitute an offer,
directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America or to any
resident of the United States of America, and the offer may not be accepted in
or from the United States of America.

This announcement includes forward-looking statements. Fisher Scientific has
based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and
projections about future events. Although Fisher Scientific believes that its
assumptions made in connection with the forward-looking statements are
reasonable, no assurances can be given that its assumptions and expectations
will prove to have been correct. These forward-looking statements are subject to
various risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Fisher Scientific undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these
risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in
this announcement might not occur.

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