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STERIS Helping the Fight Against MRSA 'Superbug' in UK

President and CEO Les Vinney tells summit participants that the spread of infection is a global problem requiring partnerships and the application of a broad range of technologies

LONDON, April 14, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- STERIS Corporation (NYSE: STE) President and Chief Executive Officer, Les C. Vinney was a keynote speaker today at the Clean Hospitals Summit in London, England. In his remarks, Vinney told the 1,200-person assembly that the spread of infection is not limited to hospitals, but a global problem that requires more collaboration between public and private sector organizations to ensure the continual innovation of science and technology to combat a major threat to world health.

Mr. Vinney was invited to address the audience given STERIS Corporation's global leadership position in infection prevention and decontamination technologies. The Company was also there to share results of work it has completed using its patented VHP(R) technology, which has been demonstrated to be effective in ambulance and hospital ward trials against MRSA (methicillin- resistant Staphylococcu aureus), a "superbug" that is particularly resistant to conventional infection prevention treatment practices.

The Clean Hospitals Summit was organized by The Patients Association, a United Kingdom based consumer advocacy group founded in 1963 to ensure that patients have a voice in the development of quality care in the UK. The Patients Association convened the two-day conference to bring attention to the serious issue of hospital-acquired infections in the UK, and in particular the threat posed by MRSA. In addition to Mr. Vinney, speakers at the event included representatives from the Patients Association, the Ambulance Service Association, academia, and other UK healthcare organizations.

"We have the makings of a truly global problem for which we must all raise our game," Vinney told the audience. "We must ... put aside our own agendas, come together and partner for solutions as we are doing here at this summit."

In his speech, Vinney cited the emergence of new threats such as the spread of prions in Europe, the outbreak of SARS in Asia, the Anthrax attacks in the United States and most recently, the emergence of the Marburg virus now killing hundreds of people in Africa. He also emphasized the need to be vigilant in traditional settings such as hospitals, where acquired infections are an even greater health risk than these emerging threats.

The UK National Health Service was lauded by Vinney for establishing a Rapid Review Panel to allow the quick review and assessment of new technologies to address health safety issues. Earlier this year, the NHS's Rapid Review Panel approved STERIS's VHP(R) technology for in-use trials in healthcare applications. VHP is a decontamination method traditionally used to create clean environments in pharmaceutical manufacturing and research laboratories.

"We clearly recognize that there is no single 'silver bullet' solution ... depending on each event and the specific pathogen, the requirements of the chemistry being applied, the equipment being used, or the service being provided may need to be customized," added Vinney. "STERIS is fortunate to have the know-how and breadth of technology to have a role to play in all these areas and help to determine the best path forward."

The Company has, to date, partnered with several NHS Ambulance Trusts and NHS hospitals through in-service trials of its technologies. The Company also announced at the summit, that through a tendering process, VHP had just been selected as the product of choice for the decontamination of clean room environments within the UK National Blood Authority.

About STERIS:

The mission of STERIS Corporation is to provide a healthier today and safer tomorrow through knowledgeable people and innovative sterilization, decontamination and health science technologies, products and services. The company's more than 5,000 dedicated employees around the world work together to supply a broad array of solutions by offering a combination of equipment, consumables and services to healthcare, pharmaceutical, industrial and government customers. STERIS is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol STE. For more information, visit www.steris.com .

This news release and Mr. Vinney's remarks may contain statements concerning certain trends, expectations, forecasts, estimates, or other forward-looking information affecting or relating to the Company or its industry that are intended to qualify for the protections afforded "forward- looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other laws and regulations. Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date of this report, and may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "targets," "forecasts," and "seeks," or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. Many important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, disruption of production or supplies, changes in market conditions, political events, pending or future claims or litigation, competitive factors, technology advances, and changes in government regulations or the application or interpretation thereof. Other risk factors are described in the Company's Form 10-K and other securities filings. Many of these important factors are outside STERIS's control. No assurances can be provided as to any future financial results. Unless legally required, the Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements even if events make clear that any projected results, express or implied, will not be realized. Other potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, (a) the potential for increased pressure on pricing that leads to erosion of profit margins, (b) the possibility that market demand will not develop for new technologies, products or applications, or the Company's business initiatives will take longer, cost more or produce lower benefits than anticipated, (c) the possibility that application of or compliance with laws, court rulings, regulations, certifications or other requirements or standards may delay or prevent new product introductions, affect the production and marketing of existing products, or otherwise affect Company performance, results, or value, (d) the potential of international unrest or effects of fluctuations in foreign currencies of countries where the Company does a sizeable amount of business, and (e) the possibility of reduced demand, or reductions in the rate of growth in demand, for the Company's products and services.

SOURCE STERIS Corporation

Aidan Gormley
Senior Director, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
STERIS Corporation
440-392-7607

Editor's Notes:

1. The complete text of Les C. Vinney's Clean Hospitals Summit remarks can be downloaded from www.steris.com in the Press Room.


2. For more information on the Clean Hospitals Summit, please access the summit Web site at http://www.cleanerhospitals.co.uk


3. For more information on The Patient Association, please access the organization's Web site at http://www.patients-association.com

This news release and Mr. Vinney's remarks may contain statements concerning certain trends, expectations, forecasts, estimates, or other forward-looking information affecting or relating to the Company or its industry that are intended to qualify for the protections afforded "forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other laws and regulations. Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date of this report, and may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "targets," "forecasts," and "seeks," or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. Many important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, disruption of production or supplies, changes in market conditions, political events, pending or future claims or litigation, competitive factors, technology advances, and changes in government regulations or the application or interpretation thereof. Other risk factors are described in the Company's Form 10-K and other securities filings. Many of these important factors are outside STERIS's control. No assurances can be provided as to any future financial results. Unless legally required, the Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements even if events make clear that any projected results, express or implied, will not be realized. Other potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, (a) the potential for increased pressure on pricing that leads to erosion of profit margins, (b) the possibility that market demand will not develop for new technologies, products or applications, or the Company's business initiatives will take longer, cost more or produce lower benefits than anticipated, (c) the possibility that application of or compliance with laws, court rulings, regulations, certifications or other requirements or standards may delay or prevent new product introductions, affect the production and marketing of existing products, or otherwise affect Company performance, results, or value, (d) the potential of international unrest or effects of fluctuations in foreign currencies of countries where the Company does a sizeable amount of business, and (e) the possibility of reduced demand, or reductions in the rate of growth in demand, for the Company's products and services.