Cook Incorporated Honored as 2006 Medical Device Manufacturer of the Year by Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry Magazine.

Prestigious Distinction Presented to Company for Unique Device Innovation, Cutting Edge Technologies and Uncompromising Commitment to the Patient

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Cook Incorporated, the world's largest privately held medical device manufacturer, announced today that it has been selected by Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry (MD&DI) magazine as a "2006 Medical Device Manufacturer of the Year." Magazine officials said Cook was selected for this prestigious award for its dedication to researching, developing and delivering innovative medical devices to the healthcare industry and ultimately, the patient. The announcement was made in the November issue of MD&DI.

Today, Cook manufactures more than 50,000 individual products for forty-two medical specialties including endovascular aortic therapy, critical care medicine, general surgery, diagnostic and interventional cardiology and radiology procedures, urology, gastroenterology, and obstetrics and gynecology. Cook's market savvy, which includes an awareness, acknowledgement, and reaction to new and lasting trends within the healthcare community, enables the company to take a leading role in the medical device manufacturing field.

"We are honored to have been recognized as the Medical Manufacturer of the Year by such a respected publication as MD&DI," said Kem Hawkins, president of Cook. "Since Cook's inception 43 years ago, we have embodied an innovative spirit, a patient-centered business philosophy and the highest level of integrity when developing medical devices. This award illustrates the ongoing practice of those core principles."

MD&DI's editorial staff selected Cook for its ongoing commitment to innovation throughout its various lines of medical devices. In the past year alone, Cook has launched a new Women's Health business unit, which has already contributed state-of-the-art gender-specific medical devices to the healthcare industry.

Further demonstrating its cutting-edge technologies, Cook introduced its small intestinal submucosa (SIS) technology, a biologically derived extracellular matrix used to treat everything from pelvic organ prolapse (Symphasis, a tissue graft implant) to urinary incontinence (Stratasis TF, tension-free slings) to fistulas (Surgisis AFP, anal fistula plug). SIS technology is the paradigm of innovative, leading-edge technology that radically improves the lives of many patients.

Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry, which is a monthly magazine designed to help industry professionals develop, design and manufacture medical products, chose Cook as one of two recipients for the award. This is the fourth year it has been given.

"We selected Cook not only because the company consistently remains at the forefront of medical technology, but because it is driven by a dedication to improving lives around the world," said Erik Swain, editor-in-chief, MD&DI. "Cook's success is fueled by its commitment to working with top medical research facilities and leading specialists to provide innovative and high quality products to the medical community."

About Cook Incorporated

The world's largest privately held manufacturer of medical devices with international headquarters in Bloomington, Ind., COOK[R] (www.cookmedical.com) is a leading designer, manufacturer and global distributor of minimally invasive medical device technology for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Since its founding in 1963, Cook has created innovative technologies for drug-eluting stents and bare metal stents, aortic and vascular endografts, catheters, wire guides, introducer needles and sheaths, embolization coils, medical biomaterials and contract manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals, vena cava filters and other minimally invasive medical devices for radiology, cardiology, urology and women's health, critical care medicine, surgery, gastroenterology, bone access and endovascular therapies.