Covidien Appoints New Research & Development Executives in Its Pharmaceutical and Imaging Businesses.

ST. LOUIS -- Covidien (NYSE: COV, BSX: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced the appointment of the research and development (R&D) leadership team for its Pharmaceutical Products and Imaging Solutions businesses.

Michael J. Giuliani, M.D., has joined Covidien as Vice President of R&D for Pharmaceutical Products and Imaging Solutions. He will lead an R&D organization dedicated to identifying and delivering advancements to the pharmaceutical and imaging markets. Dr. Giuliani reports to Timothy R. Wright, President, Pharmaceutical Products and Imaging Solutions.

"Dr. Giuliani is widely recognized as a pharmaceutical industry thought leader and for his clinical capabilities. In fact, his peers have honored him as one of the best doctors in America, and he has successfully managed multiple regulatory submissions to various review divisions within the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and to regulatory agencies abroad," said Mr. Wright. "His unique background will greatly facilitate our efforts to bring forward innovative healthcare solutions for our customers and their patients."

With more than 25 years of medical expertise, Dr. Giuliani, 54, is a clinical neurology specialist who has served as a professor in the Department of Clinical Neurology at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Giuliani also was the Co-Director of the National Institutes of Health-sponsored Clinical Research Training Program and a member of the University of Pittsburgh Internal Review Board, which reviews and approves clinical studies for human safety. Previously, he served as a lead clinical investigator and advisory board member for several pharmaceutical companies.

Dr. Giuliani comes to Covidien from Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals Inc., where he was Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Product Development. Prior to that, he was the Senior Director of Clinical Neuroscience/Ophthalmology at Merck & Co., Inc. and Director of Central Nervous System - Neuroscience Research at Wyeth. Dr. Giuliani received a bachelor's degree in biology from Tulane University and a medical degree from the Ohio State University Medical School.

James L. Young, Ph.D. has joined Covidien as Vice President of R&D Operations for Pharmaceutical Products and Imaging Solutions. Dr. Young will guide all planning, operation and monitoring activities for the Pharmaceutical and Imaging R&D organizations. He also will manage all R&D support activities for proprietary products, ensure effective pharmaceutical development operations and be responsible for all clinical development programs.

Dr. Young, 45, comes to Covidien from Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals Inc., where he was Vice President of Product Development. He brings 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, having served in management, strategic development, sales and scientific roles at companies such as Nexeon, LLC, AstraZeneca LP and Merck & Co., Inc. Dr. Young earned a bachelor's degree in genetic biology from Purdue University and a doctorate in molecular genetics from the Ohio State University.

Ralph A. Heasley, Ph.D. also has joined the Company as Vice President of Global R&D Technology, Pharmaceutical Products. Dr. Heasley will be responsible for overseeing and directing Pharmaceutical R&D activities, with a focus on creating better technical products and processes.

Dr. Heasley, 61, has more than 30 years of experience in pharmaceutical R&D, having held executive-level and other key positions at Xanodyne, Quintiles Transnational Corp., 3M Pharmaceuticals (Riker Laboratories), Merrell Dow Inc., Marion Merrell Dow Inc. and Hoechst Marion Roussel Inc. Dr. Heasley earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Ottawa University, a doctorate in physical chemistry from the University of Kansas and a master's degree in business from the University of Minnesota. He also served as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army.

Randel Frazier will continue as Vice President, Global R&D, Imaging Solutions. He will lead all aspects of the Imaging development efforts, with a dual focus on exploring new uses for existing imaging capabilities and on developing new products that leverage Covidien's competencies in radiology, nuclear imaging and contrast delivery systems.

Frazier, 57, has more than 25 years of experience in medical device and pharmaceutical R&D. He joined Tyco Healthcare in 1994 and became Vice President, Imaging R&D in 2002. He has also served in R&D, manufacturing, sales and marketing roles for several other companies, including Colorado Medtech, Inc., Gambro and 3M. He earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a master's degree in engineering management from Stanford University.

Covidien's $1.1 billion Imaging Solutions business supplies contrast media delivery systems, which combine contrast media and power injectors, for Computed Tomography (CT), Cardiovascular X-ray and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) procedures. Covidien is also a leading provider of radiopharmaceuticals used in nuclear medicine imaging procedures. The Company's $900 million Pharmaceutical Products business is the world's largest manufacturer of acetaminophen, a key U.S. generic pharmaceutical supplier and one of the leading pharmaceutical businesses in the U.S.

ABOUT COVIDIEN

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product lines in four segments: Medical Devices, Imaging Solutions, Pharmaceutical Products and Medical Supplies. With 2007 revenue of nearly $9 billion, Covidien has more than 42,000 employees worldwide in 57 countries, and its products are sold in over 130 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn more about our business.