Covidien announces opening of first high-tech medical training center in Korea

Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced the opening of the Covidien Center of Innovation Korea (CCI Korea), its first research & development (R&D) and training & education center in Korea.

“With the opening of CCI Korea, Covidien can further advance healthcare professional capabilities and enhance collaboration activities between R&D professionals, academic institutions and healthcare professionals to create access to improved standards of care.”

With a total investment of US$21 million over a three year period, CCI Korea is a high-tech medical training center focused on raising awareness of various disease states and providing opportunities for advancing healthcare professionals' capabilities by creating access to a full-range of Covidien's medical devices.

"It is our responsibility and honor to help advance physician capabilities and uncover opportunities for locally tailored solutions to increase access to the best patient care," said Mr. Brian D. King, President, Emerging Markets, Covidien. "Korea is a key market in our global strategy, and this investment is a reflection of our commitment to partnering with Korean healthcare professionals."

CCI Korea is Covidien's first comprehensive training and education center in Korea with R&D capacity, allowing healthcare professionals and medical trainees to actively engage in the design and development of medical devices.

CCI Korea spans an area of more than 6,000 square meters and includes:

• A surgical lab with 11 operating stations
• An intensive care unit (ICU) lab with two ICU stations and a human patient simulator
• An auditorium with seating capacity for 112 people, which has 3D/high-definition display technology and a state-of-the-art, optimized sound system to provide an immersive and experiential training environment

"There is an increased expectation and focus on medical technology to help improve patient outcomes," said Mr. Peter Kim, Managing Director, Korea, Covidien. "With the opening of CCI Korea, Covidien can further advance healthcare professional capabilities and enhance collaboration activities between R&D professionals, academic institutions and healthcare professionals to create access to improved standards of care."

Earlier this year, Covidien signed two memorandums of understanding with the Korean Surgical Society and the Korean Society for Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery. All healthcare professionals affiliated with these two societies will experience CCI Korea as part of their mandatory certification programs. Covidien will continue to collaborate with Korean medical societies for training programs and new product development at CCI Korea, with a focus on promoting national health and advancing medical technology in the country.