Conceptus Partners With Global Public Relations Agency Cohn & Wolfe Healthcare.

Business Editors & Health Writers

SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 23, 2000

Conceptus, Inc. (NASDAQ NM:CPTS) has named Cohn & Wolfe Healthcare, New York as its public relations agency of record. Cohn & Wolfe Healthcare will work with Conceptus to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for global corporate and product communications. The cornerstone of this partnership is communications development and product positioning for the Company's investigational STOP(TM) device, a non-surgical alternative to tubal ligation - the most common form of contraception worldwide.

"We evaluated several top public relations agencies in our search for a strategic partner for Conceptus," said Stan Van Gent, Vice President of Marketing. "We chose Cohn & Wolfe Healthcare for its creative thinking and impressive healthcare experience, both in the U.S. and globally. Their experience, especially in women's healthcare, perfectly complements our goal to inform and work closely with potential patients, as well as physicians and the healthcare systems."

"We are making considerable progress toward introduction of STOP in Australia during the first quarter of 2001, and Cohn & Wolfe's presence and expertise in that market will be instrumental in developing and implementing a consumer awareness campaign," Mr. Van Gent added. "Also, we will commence introduction in key European markets during 2001. Again, Cohn & Wolfe's global network will be critical in building product demand."

Conceptus has focused its efforts on the women's sterilization market with its new device, STOP, which recently received Therapeutic Goods Administration listing in Australia.

"We are very pleased to work in partnership with Conceptus, the forerunner in non-surgical permanent contraceptive devices for women," said Kathryn Metcalfe, Managing Director, Executive Vice President, Cohn & Wolfe Healthcare. "This is an exciting time in Conceptus' development: its investigational device, STOP, has the potential to revolutionize female sterilization worldwide."

Cohn & Wolfe Healthcare

Cohn & Wolfe Healthcare is one of the top medical communication practices in the United States and Europe with a fast growing global network. Cohn & Wolfe is the 15th largest public relations firm worldwide, with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, London, Los Angeles, Milan, Montreal, New York, Paris, Sydney, Toronto and Washington, D.C. The agency has won numerous awards for creativity and program excellence. Cohn & Wolfe is part of Young & Rubicam, one of the top three advertising agencies worldwide.

About Conceptus

Conceptus, Inc. is developing STOP, an innovative medical device and procedure designed to provide a non-incisional alternative to tubal ligation, the leading form of contraception worldwide. Data from the United Nations show that worldwide, 30 percent of reproductive couples using contraception rely on surgical tubal ligation. Additionally, a survey performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that surgical tubal ligation continues to be the most prevalent form of contraception in the U.S., and that 35 percent of women age 35-44 have had a surgical tubal sterilization. An estimated 800,000 surgical tubal ligations are performed each year in the U.S., of which 93 percent are performed in a hospital or surgi-center and require general anesthesia. Additional information about the Company and the STOP device is available at www.conceptus.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements, the accuracy of which is necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties. The receipt of regulatory approvals, results of product development programs, and clinical efficacy of and market demand for products, among other matters discussed in this release, may differ significantly from the discussion of such matters in the forward-looking statements. Such differences may be based upon factors within the Company's control, such as strategic planning decisions by management and re-allocation of internal resources, or on factors outside of the Company's control, such as delays by regulatory authorities, scientific advances by third parties and introduction of competitive products, as well as those factors set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.