NEWS RELEASE

Ciba Specialty Chemicals expands Expert Services with acquisition of Cantox Health Sciences International (Cantox).

• Acquisition of a leading regulatory and scientific consulting firm will broaden services offering
• Significant global growth opportunities in regulatory and scientific consulting
• Clients have global access to regulatory and toxicology expertise in Food & Nutrition; Pharmaceutical & Healthcare; Chemicals; and Agriculture, Biotech & Consumer Products

Ciba Specialty Chemicals has broadened its regulatory consulting services through the acquisition of Cantox, a leading scientific consulting firm.

Cantox, a privately owned company, specializes in developing scientific and strategic regulatory plans, resolving complex toxicology and scientific issues and facilitating timely regulatory approvals. Its specialized scientific staff of over 60 professionals is focused on the following business areas: Food and Nutrition; Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare; Chemicals; and Agriculture, Biotech and Consumer Products.

This acquisition complements Ciba Specialty Chemicals’ current Expert Services’ offering, which provides comprehensive regulatory consultancy, including analytical and laboratory service support, for developing and implementing worldwide regulatory strategies. Ciba’s service offering covers neat chemicals, polymers and end-use articles to be commercialized in domestic and international markets.

“This focused transaction offers great advantage to customers of both organizations and fits well with our strategy of building on our core competencies. It brings immediate benefits by broadening the Ciba^® Expert Services offering and is also creating opportunities for further profitable growth. Together we will become a global leader, offering our clients outstanding expertise and experience in the field of regulatory and toxicology consulting,” says Adrian Knott, Global Head Ciba^® Expert Services.

“We take great pride in using our extensive regulatory and toxicology knowledge to provide innovative solutions that promote client success. By becoming part of Ciba^® Expert Services, we will be able to offer our services in new geographic areas, for example Asia, broaden our offering by including the complementary analytical and testing capabilities of Expert Services and expand our customer base in North America and Europe,” says Ian Munro, President Cantox.

Cantox will continue to provide independent expert advice and consulting services under its well-recognized business name.

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Ciba Specialty Chemicals (SWX: CIBN, NYSE: CSB)is a leading global company dedicated to creating effects that improve the quality of life – enhancing the look and feel of its customers’ products. In addition, Ciba offers a wide range of knowledge-based services and expertise, providing customers with complete solutions to help them succeed. Ciba serves several major markets, including the Paper, Printing, Packaging, Textiles, Automotive, Construction, Electronics, Water Treatment, Agriculture and Home & Personal Care industries.  Ciba Specialty Chemicals is active in more than 120 countries around the world and is committed to be a leader in its chosen markets. In 2005, the Company generated sales of CHF 7.4 billion Swiss francs and invested over CHF 300 million in R&D.

Cantox Health Sciences International is a privately owned company, with offices located in the United States, Canada and Europe. Cantox is a leading international scientific and regulatory consulting firm with specialized expertise in the areas of Food & Nutrition, Pharmaceutical & Healthcare, Chemicals, and Agriculture, Biotech & Consumer Products. For the past 20 years, Cantox has been helping clients resolve complex scientific and toxicology issues, develop scientific and strategic regulatory and compliance plans, and facilitate timely regulatory global approvals. Cantox optimizes success and minimizes client risk through broad expertise and knowledge.

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For further information please contact:

Ciba Specialty Chemicals:

Media: 
Tel. +41 61 636 4444
Fax +41 61 636 3019

Investor Relations:
Tel. +41 61 636 5081
Fax +41 61 636 5111

Cantox Health Sciences International:

e-Mail: info@Cantox.com