Bristol-Myers Squibb Proposes to Acquire ImClone Systems for $60.00 Per Share in...

Bristol-Myers Squibb Proposes to Acquire ImClone Systems for $60.00 Per Share in Cash

Offer Represents Approximately 30% Premium to the Closing Price of
ImClone's Stock on July 30, Approximately 40% Premium to the Average
Share Price of ImClone Common Stock During the Most Recent One-Month
Period and Premium in Excess of 40% for the Average Share Prices of
ImClone Stock During the Most Recent Three-Month and 12-Month Periods

Combination Is Natural Development in Companies' Successful,
Seven-Year-Long Relationship around ERBITUX(R)
NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) today announced that it
has proposed to enter into an agreement to acquire ImClone Systems
Incorporated (NASDAQ: IMCL), a global leader in the development and
commercialization of novel antibodies to treat cancer, for $60.00 per
share in cash, or a total payment of approximately $4.5 billion, to
equity holders of ImClone, other than Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Bristol-Myers Squibb currently owns approximately 17 percent of all
outstanding shares of ImClone.

Bristol-Myers Squibb's all-cash offer, which is not conditioned on
the receipt of financing or on the conduct of due diligence,
represents a premium of approximately 30 percent over ImClone's
closing stock price on July 30, 2008, the last trading day before
Bristol-Myers Squibb sent its proposal to ImClone's Board of
Directors, a premium of approximately 40 percent over the average
closing price of ImClone's stock during the most recent one-month
period and a premium in excess of 40 percent for the average closing
stock prices of ImClone stock during each of the most recent
three-month and 12-month periods.

James M. Cornelius, chairman and chief executive officer,
Bristol-Myers Squibb, said, "Our proposed acquisition of ImClone
represents an evolutionary development in our companies'
seven-year-long relationship, and is in the best interests of
Bristol-Myers Squibb and ImClone shareholders and employees, and the
patients we serve together. Bristol-Myers Squibb is the natural
partner for ImClone as we possess the knowledge base and resources to
advance the company's growth over the long-term, not only with respect
to ERBITUX(R), the important cancer therapy we jointly commercialize,
but also in terms of developing ImClone's pipeline assets. Our current
contractual relationship with ImClone, in which we hold exclusive,
long-term marketing rights to ERBITUX in the U.S., has been very
successful, and we believe that, by applying Bristol-Myers Squibb's
financial, R&D and marketing capabilities to support the product, we
will be able to reach an even broader patient population."

"For Bristol-Myers Squibb, the proposed acquisition of ImClone
represents a strategically and financially sound add-on to our
business, consolidating a relationship we have had for nearly seven
years. The acquisition is expected to contribute to our financial
performance in the 2012-2013 timeframe as well as drive growth beyond
2013," continued Mr. Cornelius.

"Bristol-Myers Squibb is prepared to proceed to work with
ImClone's Board of Directors quickly and efficiently to reach a
definitive merger agreement regarding our all-cash offer, which
delivers full and fair value to ImClone's shareholders. We look
forward to meeting with ImClone's Board and management to effect this
transaction in an expedited manner," concluded Mr. Cornelius.

ERBITUX (cetuximab) is indicated for use in the treatment of
patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and for use in the
treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Bristol-Myers Squibb and ImClone have been engaged in the
co-development and co-commercialization of ERBITUX in the U.S. and
Canada under an agreement entered into in September 2001. Under the
agreement, ImClone receives a distribution fee based on a flat rate of
39 percent of net sales in North America. This Agreement was amended
in July 2007 to provide for additional development funding for certain
indications. The Agreement expires in September 2018 with respect to
ERBITUX in the U.S.

Bristol-Myers Squibb and ImClone have also been engaged in the
co-development of ERBITUX in Japan with Merck KGaA since December
2004. In October 2007, the three companies amended this agreement to
provide for co-commercialization of ERBITUX in Japan. The companies
received marketing approval for ERBITUX in Japan on July 16, 2008, for
use in combination with irinotecan to treat unresectable advanced or
recurrent colorectal cancer.

Bristol-Myers Squibb's proposal to acquire ImClone for $60.00 per
share in cash was conveyed earlier this morning by Mr. Cornelius to
Carl C. Icahn, chairman of the Board of Directors of ImClone, and
confirmed in a letter sent to the Board of Directors. The full text of
the letter follows:

-0-
*T
Board of Directors
ImClone Systems Incorporated
180 Varick Street
New York, NY 10014
Care of Mr. Carl C. Icahn, Chairman of the Board

July 31, 2008
Dear Carl:

This confirms that Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is offering to enter
into an agreement to acquire ImClone Systems Incorporated for $60 per
share in cash. Our all-cash offer represents a premium of
approximately 30% over the closing price of ImClone common stock on
July 30, 2008, a premium of approximately 40% over the one-month
average closing price of ImClone common stock, and a premium in
excess of 40% over the three-month and one-year average closing
prices of ImClone common stock. A full combination of BMS and ImClone
is a natural fit for both our companies, and we are convinced our
proposed price represents a full and fair offer for ImClone.

For nearly seven years, BMS and ImClone have worked in concert to
bring ERBITUX(R) to patients and build a strong product. We value our
commercial agreement with ImClone and believe our respective
commercial teams have forged an excellent working relationship. We
also value our interactions with your scientists and clinicians. We
have high regard for the potential of ImClone's pipeline assets,
while recognizing the early stage of their development and the
significant investment which is required to further their
development.

Our Board of Directors has approved this offer. We and our advisors
are prepared to meet with you and your advisors to answer any
questions you may have about our offer. We are confident that, with
ImClone's cooperation, we can reach a definitive agreement very
quickly. We do not foresee any regulatory or other impediment to
closing. Our offer is not conditioned on financing or due diligence.

As you know, as a result of our current ownership of ImClone stock, we
are subject to U.S. securities laws which require us to disclose any
material change in our intentions with respect to ImClone as
reflected in our Schedule 13D on file with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission. Accordingly, we are filing with the SEC an
amendment to our Schedule 13D disclosing our offer and including this
letter as an exhibit.

In my view, and in the view of our Board of Directors, this
transaction makes compelling business sense for both of our companies
and is in the best interests of our respective shareholders and the
cancer patients for whom our companies' life saving medicines are so
important. The price we are offering represents an extremely
attractive opportunity for the shareholders of ImClone to realize
today the future value of the company. Our desire is to conclude a
transaction which is enthusiastically supported by you and all other
members of the ImClone Board. We look forward to your prompt response
to our offer.

Sincerely,

/s/ James M. Cornelius

James M. Cornelius
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
*T

Bristol-Myers Squibb has filed today an Amended Schedule 13D and a
Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Those
filings may be accessed at www.sec.gov or via Bristol-Myers Squibb's
website at www.bms.com/ir.

Morgan Stanley & Company Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC are serving as financial advisors
to Bristol-Myers Squibb in connection with the proposed acquisition.
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is acting as legal counsel to
Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Conference Call Information

There will be a conference call today, July 31, 2008, at 8:30 a.m.
(EDT) during which Bristol-Myers Squibb executives will address
inquiries from investors and analysts regarding its offer to acquire
ImClone. Investors and the general public are invited to listen to a
live web cast of the call at www.bms.com/ir or by dialing
347-284-6930, access code 3044806. A replay of the conference call
will be available until midnight on August 15, 2008 at 402-280-9013,
access code 3044806.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose
mission is to extend and enhance human life.

Statement on Cautionary Factors

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 regarding, among other things, statements relating to a proposal
to acquire ImClone Systems Incorporated, future financial performance
and the company's business strategy. These statements may be
identified by the fact that they use words such as "anticipate",
"estimates", "should", "expect", "guidance", "project", "intend",
"plan", "believe" and other words and terms of similar meaning in
connection with any discussion of future operating or financial
performance. Such forward-looking statements are based on current
expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including
factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could
cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current
expectations. These factors include, among other things, the risk that
the proposed transaction will not be completed and the company's
ability to execute successfully its strategic plans. For further
details and a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties,
see the company's periodic reports, including the annual report on
Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form
8-K, filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update
any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Communications:
Tracy Furey, 609-252-3208
Robert Zito, 212-546-4341
Investor Relations:
John Elicker, 212-546-3775

Copyright Business Wire 2008