Piscataway,  NJ - July 20, 1999 - DiaSorin  Inc.,  the Medical
Systems Division of American Standard Companies Inc. (NYSE: ASD), today reported
its  discovery  of a new virus  linked to liver  disease of  previously  unknown
cause.  The virus,  SEN-V,  was discovered by Dr. Daniele Primi and his research
team at the DiaSorin Biomolecular Research Center in Brescia, Italy.



                  The newly discovered virus is highly associated with acute and
chronic  hepatitis,  probably  accounting  for a  majority  of  cases  of  viral
hepatitis of unknown origin. Viral hepatitis is a serious health problem with as
many as 5.2 million  people in the United States  infected with acute or chronic
viral  hepatitis.  While  statistical  data on incidence  varies from country to
country,  five  viruses  (A,B,C,D,E)  are  known to cause  80-90%  of the  cases
worldwide, but 10-20% are of unknown origin.



                  The newly discovered virus is blood-borne,  placing transfused
patients and intravenous  drug users at risk.  While no blood  screening  system
exists  currently  for the new virus,  appropriate  screening of blood and blood
products in the future may control its spread.  In this regard,  it is estimated
that worldwide approximately 50 million units of blood are drawn annually.


                  Dr. Harvey Alter, a world authority on hepatitis  research and
Chief of the Infectious Diseases Section,  Department of Transfusion Medicine at
the  Clinical  Center,  National  Institutes  of  Health  (NIH),  Bethesda,  MD,
independently confirmed the clinical significance of the new virus.


                  "These  data  suggest  that  this  new  virus  accounts  for a
significant  proportion of  transfusion-associated  hepatitis of unknown origin.
Though the data are  preliminary,  it is  striking  that such a high  percentage
(approximately   80%)  of  these  cases  demonstrated  new  SEN-V  infection  in
association  with  transfusion  and that the  incidence  of infection in various
control populations was very low (1-8%). A great deal of work remains to be done
to confirm and expand these  findings,  but thus far this is the best  candidate
virus to account for previously unexplained hepatitis that I have observed."


Professor  Mario  Rizzetto,  an  internationally   recognized  expert  on  viral
hepatitis  from the  University  of Torino,  Italy,  also  helped to confirm Dr.
Primi's  findings  through  epidemiological  and clinical  studies  during early
phases of the project.

Research  to  date  includes  analysis  of  nearly  600  sera.  In 31  cases  of
non-A/non-E  hepatitis,  the virus was found in 68% of chronic  cases and 83% of
post-transfusion cases. The prevalence of the virus in the general population is
less than one per cent.

                  Dr. Primi and his research team have  characterized the unique
genomic  sequences of the new virus and  developed  prototype  assays.  DiaSorin
filed patent applications  covering this discovery in 1998. The research team is
conducting  additional  research to isolate and characterize the viral particle.
Expanded  clinical  studies are also being conducted in  collaboration  with the
National  Institutes  of Health to  understand  further  the  dynamics of immune
response and the clinical implications of the virus. Initial studies reveal that
approximately 30% of HIV patients are also infected with the new virus. DiaSorin
expects to publish these results in the next several months.


"DiaSorin's  growing  pipeline of  innovative  medical  diagnostics  - including
breath  testing  and  the  Copalis(R)  multiplex  technology  for  near  patient
diagnostics(R)  - is fueled by the  trailblazing  work of our research  center,"
said Dr. Jorge A. Leon, Chief Scientific Officer for American Standard's Medical
Systems Group.  "The discovery of new infectious  agents using molecular biology
and  immunology  techniques  gives  DiaSorin a distinct  advantage in developing
diagnostic  solutions and new  therapeutic  targets for the world's  health care
problems in the next century."

Fred  Allardyce,  Senior Vice President of American  Standard's  Medical Systems
Group commented,  "Under the leadership of Dr. Primi,  DiaSorin's  research team
based in Brecia,  Italy,  is using the most advanced  techniques to identify new
viruses. The discovery of this new virus has significant clinical  implications.
It could refine the diagnostic  evaluation of liver disease, and, when used as a
screening test, could improve the safety of the blood supply."

Because  of  the  far-reaching   implications  of  the  discovery  and  interest
throughout  the  worldwide  community,  DiaSorin has  established  an electronic
mailing  list for  updates on the virus as new  information  becomes  available.
Those interested can register at www.diasorin.com.

American  Standard  is the global,  diversified  manufacturer  of  Trane(R)  and
American  Standard(R) air conditioning  products,  American  Standard(R),  Ideal
Standard(R),  Standard(R)  ,  Porcher(R),  Armitage  Shanks(R)  and  Dolomite(R)
plumbing products,  WABCO(R)  commercial and utility vehicle braking and control
systems,   Copalis(R)  and  Pylori-Chek  (TM)  medical  diagnostic  systems  and
DiaSorin(TM) medical diagnostic products.