(from left) PAUL M. MEISTER Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President PAUL M. MONTRONE Chairman and Chief Executive Officer DAVID T. DELLA PENTA President and Chief Operating Officer

Letter to Shareholders

To our shareholders: The scientific community took a quantum leap forward last year, making significant discoveries in human genetic research. We continue to be impressed by the latest developments in the dynamic life-science fields of immunology and molecular and cell biology. Leading the advances are researchers in biochemistry, genomics – the study of whole sets of genes and their interactions – and proteomics, the large-scale analysis of a cell's proteins. As the world leader in serving science, Fisher Scientific plays an important role in the life-science revolution by providing scientists with the key products and services they need to make their next discoveries.

As scientists study the deciphered human genetic code and make new discoveries, medical science will change dramatically. Ideas such as personalized medicine with drugs tailored to the individual genetic makeup of the patient may one day be a reality, improving the effectiveness of treatments for illnesses such as heart disease or cancer. Genetic and diagnostic testing will open the door to the prevention, treatment and cure of other diseases, revolutionizing medical practices.