Exhibit 99.1
   News Release

    BIO-RAD, SANOFI-SYNTHELABO AND INSTITUT PASTEUR SIGN DEFINITIVE
      AGREEMENT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PASTEUR SANOFI DIAGNOSTICS

   HERCULES, CA   Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (AMEX: BIO.A and BIO.B)
   announced today the acceptance of its acquisition bid for Pasteur
   Sanofi Diagnostics (PSD) by  Sanofi-Synthelabo S.A. and  Institut
   Pasteur, the shareholders of  PSD. According to the terms  of the
   definitive agreement, Bio-Rad will acquire  100% of the shares of
   (and certain assets and assumed liabilities related to) PSD for a
   purchase price of $210,000,000.

   Financing has  been committed  by Banc  One. Finalization  of the
   transaction is expected within approximately ninety days to allow
   for  financial arrangements and  necessary regulatory  review and
   clearance.

   Bio-Rad expects  diagnostics sales  to increase  to approximately
   $400 million as a  result of the acquisition, moving  the Company
   into  the  top ten  in  the diagnostics  industry.  The composite
   portfolio  of the  combined  organizations  affords  Bio-Rad  the
   ability  to  provide  products   and  services  to  the  clinical
   laboratory  across a  broad spectrum  of departments  and disease
   states, including tests for blood virus, bacteriology, infectious
   disease,  diabetes  monitoring,  genetic  disease  screening, and
   quality control management.

   The acquisition also includes  a collaboration agreement with the
   Institut Pasteur,  giving  Bio-Rad a  priority  to  commercialize
   Pasteur s discoveries in the In Vitro diagnostics market. Bio-Rad
   views this relationship as a significant competitive advantage in
   the  infectious  disease  market and  anticipates  expanding  the
   alliance towards the continued success of both organizations.

   Bio-Rad  Laboratories  President  and CEO,  David  Schwartz said,
    This acquisition places us  in a more favorable position  in the
   diagnostics market. It gives us a significant presence in all key
   geographic areas, including the emerging economies, as well as  a
   substantial product  offering in  market segments  showing strong
   long-term growth.

   Bio-Rad Laboratories,  Inc. (www.bio-rad.com) is  a multinational
   manufacturer  and distributor of  life science research products,
   clinical  diagnostics  and analytical  instrumentation,  based in
   Hercules,  California.  The  company  serves  more  than   70,000
   research and industry customers worldwide through a network of 25
   wholly-owned subsidiary offices.

   For more information, contact:
   Contact:  Tom Chesterman, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   Phone:    (510) 741-6006
   Email:    tom_chesterman@bio-rad.com

   Date: July 5, 1999                 For Release: 9 a.m. (P.S.T.)