Covidien opens new facility in Turkey to expand training and research capabilities

Further expanding its training and research capabilities in emerging markets, Covidien plc (NYSE: COV), has officially opened its Covidien Center of Innovation Turkey (CCI Turkey). Located in Istanbul, the new facility offers clinicians in Turkey and the surrounding region training on advanced procedures and techniques using the latest technology.

"At Covidien we constantly challenge each other to raise the standard of care," said José E. Almeida, chairman, president and CEO, Covidien. "This investment gives us a unique and valuable opportunity to extend the reach of our innovative solutions to an underserved area."

CCI Turkey will focus on raising awareness of various disease states and providing opportunities for clinicians to see how Covidien's solutions can help health care professionals treat these diseases. Top training priorities will include procedures and protocols to address vascular disease, metabolic disorders (obesity and Type II diabetes) and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

"This center is designed to enhance physician capabilities in a way that meets the unique needs of the local market, ultimately giving patients in Turkey greater access to advanced procedures and care," said Mats Eklof, president, EMEA Emerging Markets, Covidien. "On top of that, our R&D engineers will observe, listen and work closely with health care professionals to uncover opportunities for locally tailored solutions that address unmet needs in Turkey and the broader emerging markets."

CCI Turkey is Covidien's fourth training center in an emerging market, with other centers located in Shanghai, China; Mumbai, India; and Osong, South Korea. The company also plans to open a center this year in São Paulo, Brazil.

The new facility provides opportunities for advancing health care professionals' capabilities by providing access to a wide range of Covidien technology. CCI Turkey offers:

• State-of-the-art surgical suites, including an ICU lab with a human patient simulator
• A research and development lab to enable health care professionals to directly collaborate with R&D staff
• An auditorium with seating capacity for 117 and capability to transmit live surgeries to attendees

Turkey is an important and growing market for Covidien, which has operated in the country since 2001. The company has approximately 200 employees in the country.

The new center will have the capacity to train more than 5,000 health care professionals annually from within Turkey and the surrounding region.