Agreement expected to increase availability of J.T.Baker® brand performance chemistries in emerging growth markets

Phillipsburg, New Jersey — Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced that its Mallinckrodt Baker business unit has entered into a multi-year agreement with global laboratory supply company, VWR International, LLC, to distribute Mallinckrodt Baker’s J.T.Baker® brand products in Eastern and Central Europe.

Mallinckrodt Baker performance chemistries are widely used in the pharmaceutical and bioscience industries. The company offers products ranging from solid phase extraction materials for chromatography to liquid chromatography solvents and traditional laboratory chemicals such as salts, acids and buffers.

The distribution agreement will help expand the availability of Mallinckrodt Baker’s J.T.Baker® brand products in the Central and Eastern European region, emerging markets with high growth potential for the pharmaceuticals industry.

“Combining Mallinckrodt Baker’s strong product offering with VWR’s distribution base and existing infrastructure in Europe allows both companies to enhance their presence in this key region,” said Peter Krabbenborg, Analytical Business Manager, Mallinckrodt Baker Europe. “We anticipate strong growth and development in pharmaceuticals and research biochemicals in many Eastern and Central European countries over the next several years, and we’re excited about the synergies that will be gained from our new agreement with VWR and the opportunity to better serve the needs of this rapidly growing market.”

The distribution agreement will cover the following countries, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania Russia, Slovakia, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

For more information visit: www.mallbaker.com

ABOUT MALLINCKRODT BAKER

Mallinckrodt Baker is a manufacturer of high purity chemicals and related products and services sold under two well-known and respected brand names – J.T.Baker® and Mallinckrodt® Laboratory Chemicals. These products are widely used in research and quality control laboratories, microelectronics, environmental testing laboratories and universities, and for manufacturing in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and other industrial markets. Based in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, Mallinckrodt Baker is part of Covidien.

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 2009 revenue of $10.7 billion, Covidien has 42,000 employees worldwide in more than 60 countries, and its products are sold in over 140 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn more about our business.