Covidien Teams with Women`s Pro Basketball Legend Lisa Leslie on Liver Cancer Education Program

BOULDER, Colo.--(Business Wire)--
Four-time Olympic gold medal winner and three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player
Lisa Leslie is teaming with Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of
healthcare products, to launch an educational program and Web site,
www.MyLiverCancerOptions.com, that provide information to help patients and
their families understand the treatment options available to manage liver
cancer.

The program is part of October`s Liver Awareness Month, sponsored by the
American Liver Foundation, and will feature Leslie discussing her family`s
experience with liver cancer. In December 2000, doctors diagnosed Leslie`s
stepfather with stage III primary liver cancer. He died two months later.

"Liver cancer is a horrible disease, and it changed my family forever," Leslie
said. "After my stepfather`s diagnosis, we were told there were no treatment
options for him, and he died shortly thereafter. For that reason, I believe it
is critical to spread the word about liver cancer prevention and treatment
options."

In the U.S., liver cancer is on the rise. A study published in the March 2009
issue of Journal of Clinical Oncology reported that the incidence of liver
cancer in the U.S. tripled between 1975 and 2005, from 1.6 to 4.9 cases per
100,000 people.1 The latest estimates from the American Cancer Society show that
an estimated 22,620 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with liver cancer in
2009.2 Survival rates are improving, however, in part because more diagnostic
and treatment options are available today than in 1975.

"The diagnosis of liver cancer sends patients and their families in search of
solid information, and we have heard from clinicians that there is a tremendous
need for reliable sources of educational materials," said Dr. Ned Cosgriff,
Chief Medical Officer, Energy-based Devices, Covidien. "The Web site will help
patients navigate treatment options and be better informed when discussing their
medical care with their physicians."

The Covidien Web site, www.MyLiverCancerOptions.com, encourages patients and
caregivers to become advocates for care by providing information on the disease
and treatment options. It also includes questions to facilitate patients`
conversations with their physicians.

As part of the program, hospitals can receive liver cancer patient education
kits, which contain a URL card and magnet to direct patients to the Web site,
and a CD with print and Web materials for hospitals to use to spread awareness
of the information available.

"This site will be an excellent resource for patients," said Dr. Bassel
El-Rayes, a gastrointestinal oncologist at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory
University in Atlanta, Ga., who was one of several consulting physicians who
reviewed the site for Covidien prior to launch.

"During Liver Awareness Month, the American Liver Foundation will focus on
education and advocacy. We want the public to have a better understanding of
liver disease and learn how they can keep their livers healthy," said Regina
Musyl, Vice President, Rocky Mountain Division, American Liver Foundation. "This
site will be a valuable tool and will help us in our effort to raise awareness
and educate patients."

According to Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data, 16,986
people in the U.S. were diagnosed with cancer of the liver and intrahepatic bile
duct in 2006, the last year confirmed data is available.3 But of the patients
diagnosed with primary or metastatic liver cancer, fewer than 27 percent may be
candidates for surgical resection - the gold standard of treatment.4, 5 Patients
and their families need to understand the range of available treatment options
and speak with their doctors to determine which option or options may be best
for them.

"Covidien is committed to working with medical professionals to improve the
health and well-being of patients," said Christopher Carlton, Global Vice
President and General Manager, Interventional Oncology, Covidien. "This Web site
provides a much-needed source of fair and balanced information and education for
liver cancer patients."

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 three segments:
Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies. With 2008 revenue of $10
billion, Covidien has more than 41,000 employees worldwide in 59 countries, and
its products are sold in more than 140 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com
to learn more about our business.

REFERENCES

1. Altekruse SF, McGlynn KA, Reichman ME. J Clin Oncol. 2009 Mar;
27(9):1485-1491.

2. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2009. Atlanta, Ga.: American
Cancer Society; 2009:4.

3. National Cancer Institute. Table 14.19 Cancer of the liver and intrahepatic
bile duct (invasive). In SEER Cancer Statistics Review 1975-2006. Available at
http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2006/browse_csr.php?section=14&page=sect_14_table.19.html.
Accessed October 8, 2009.

4. Siperstein AE, Berber E, Ballem N, et al. Survival after radiofrequency
ablation of colorectal liver metastases: 10-year experience. Ann Surg.
2007;246(4):559-567.

5. Chen MS, Li JQ, Zheng Y, et al. A prospective randomized trial comparing
percutaneous local ablative therapy and partial hepatectomy for small
hepatocellular carcinoma. Ann Surg. 2006;243(3):321-328.

Christie Holmes, 303-530-6363
Manager, Marketing Communications
Covidien Energy-based Devices
christie.holmes@covidien.com
or
Mark Beal, 212-714-5745
Managing Partner
Taylor Public Relations
mbeal@taylorpr.com
or
Dawn Y. Wilson, 303-530-6283
Manager, Marketing Communications
Covidien Energy-based Devices
dawn.wilson@covidien.com
or
Cole Lannum, CFA, 508-452-4343
Vice President, Investor Relations
Covidien
cole.lannum@covidien.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009