ConvaTec, a world leader in ostomy care and wound and skin care products, today was honored with the distinguished 1999 Queen's Award for Technological Achievement. The honor was announced by the Queen's Award Office in London on the occasion of Her Majesty's birthday. ConvaTec, which is part of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, a diversified worldwide health and personal care company, was recognized for the invention, development and marketing of Aquacel(R) Hydrofibre(TM) wound dressing. Aquacel combines the healing advantages of hydrocolloids with advanced fluid management within a soft, white dressing. As such, Aquacel Hydrofibre dressings represent an entirely new category in the modern wound care marketplace for the treatment of chronic wounds. Honored as well with a 1999 Queen's Award for Technological Achievement is Acordis Specialty Fibres, the U.K.-based company which was ConvaTec's development partner in the creation of Aquacel. "We are proud and honored to receive this high level of recognition. This award is especially gratifying for many reasons, most importantly because it is bestowed upon us by Her Majesty, the Queen, and it recognizes ConvaTec's commitment to customer service, superior execution, innovation and technological superiority," said John L. McGoldrick, president, Medical Devices Group, Bristol-Myers Squibb. The Queen's Award, which was established in 1966, recognizes companies for Export Achievement, Technological Achievement, and Environmental Achievement. ConvaTec holds the distinction of being a three-time Queen's Award recipient, having been honored in 1993 for Export Achievement and in 1994 for Technological Achievement. "The entire global ConvaTec organization is delighted to be recognized by this prestigious award. Since our founding 21 years ago, we have been committed to meeting the needs of our customers through technological innovation. The success of Aquacel is an excellent example of this commitment," said Patrice Froidure, president of ConvaTec, who is based at ConvaTec world headquarters in Skillman, New Jersey, U.S.A. "This recognition is especially meaningful to the Aquacel team at ConvaTec's Wound Healing Research Institute in Deeside and ConvaTec marketing groups worldwide. Team members' creativity and initiative are really what drove Aquacel's success," said Dr. Michael Lydon, vice president, Wound & Skin Care Research & Innovation, who is based in Deeside. ConvaTec's presence in the U.K. also includes marketing offices in Ickenham and manufacturing facilities in Deeside. ConvaTec products are available in more than 100 countries around the world. In addition to Aquacel, ConvaTec's wound care portfolio includes DuoDERM(R) Hydroactive(R) dressing (marketed as Granuflex(R) in the U.K.). Leading ConvaTec's extensive ostomy care portfolio are the SUR-FIT AutoLock(TM) (marketed as Consecura(TM) in the U.K.) and Natura(TM) systems. Along with the Zimmer orthopaedic implant business, ConvaTec comprises the Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Devices Group. Bristol-Myers Squibb's other principal businesses are pharmaceuticals, consumer medicines, beauty care, and nutritionals. It is a leading maker of innovative therapies for cardiovascular, metabolic and infectious diseases, central nervous system and dermatological disorder, and cancer. The company is a leader in orthopaedic devices, ostomy care, wound management, nutritional supplements, infant formulas, and hair and skin care products. Visit ConvaTec on the worldwide web at http://www.convatec.com and Bristol-Myers Squibb at http://www.bms.com. ots Original Text Service: ConvaTec Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Bruce Serlen of Bristol-Myers Squibb, 212-546-4384, bruce.serlen@bms.com; or Dr. Michael Lydon of ConvaTec UK, 244584314 Bristol-Myers Squibb press releases available through Company News On-Call by fax, 800-758-5804, ext. BMYFAX, or 269329, or at http://www.prnewswire.com/cnoc/exec/menu?269329 Web site: http://www.bms.com Web site: http://www.convatec.com