MURRAY HILL, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 2008--C. R. Bard, Inc. (NYSE: BCR) today announced the publication of the North American Silver-Coated Endotracheal Tube (NASCENT) clinical study results in the August 20, 2008 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The NASCENT study - which enrolled 2,003 patients in 54 hospitals - evaluated the efficacy of the Agento(R) I.C. silver-coated endotracheal tube (ETT) in the reduction of microbiologically confirmed ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the Agento(R) I.C. silver-coated ETT in November 2007 for the prevention of VAP in patients intubated for 24 hours or longer. As reported in JAMA, the NASCENT study demonstrated that the Agento(R) I.C. silver-coated ETT reduced the incidence of VAP by 36% in the overall study population, with a 48% reduction in the first 10 days of intubation.

VAP is one of the most costly hospital acquired infections and is associated with high patient mortality and morbidity. It is especially prevalent in hospital intensive care units where a ventilated patient typically has an ETT in place for more than 24 hours. The Agento(R) I.C. silver-coated ETT incorporates Bard's proprietary polymer technology which allows a coated ETT to elute silver ions to kill the microorganisms responsible for VAP. The device is marketed by the Bard Medical Division, located in Covington, Georgia.

While hospitals and other health care facilities have implemented a number of prevention methods to decrease the risk of VAP, they all require significant nursing intervention and consistent application to be efficacious. Marin Kollef, M.D., principal investigator of the NASCENT study said, "This study marks a very important milestone for the prevention of VAP in hospitals. One of the major benefits of the Agento(R) I.C. silver-coated endotracheal tube is that it is the first prevention option available that requires no further action after placement by the healthcare provider."

Bard Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Timothy M. Ring commented, "In developing the Agento(R) I.C. silver-coated endotracheal tube, Bard sponsored the largest randomized controlled trial in the field of VAP prevention and we are pleased that the efforts of the independent clinical investigators have been recognized by such a renowned scientific journal. Publication in JAMA reflects the quality of their study and significance of their results. We look forward to the benefits that the Agento(R) I.C. silver-coated endotracheal tube can provide hospitals and clinicians in their efforts to reduce the incidence of VAP and improve patients' lives."

C. R. Bard, Inc., (www.crbard.com) headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., is a leading multinational developer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative, life-enhancing medical technologies in the fields of vascular, urology, oncology and surgical specialty products.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are based on management's current expectations, the accuracy of which is necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements are not historical in nature and use words such as "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "project", "intend", "forecast", "plan", "believe", and other words of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Many factors may cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results including product developments, sales efforts, income tax matters, the outcomes of contingencies such as legal proceedings, and other economic, business, competitive and regulatory factors. The company undertakes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements. Please refer to the Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information in our June 30, 2008 Form 10-Q for more detailed information about these and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied.

CONTACT: C. R. Bard, Inc.
Investor Relations:
Eric J. Shick, 908-277-8413
Vice President, Investor Relations
or
Media Relations:
Holly P. Glass, 908-277-8117
Vice President, Government and Public Relations

SOURCE: C. R. Bard, Inc.