Timothy R. Wright Appointed President of Tyco Healthcare's Pharmaceutical Products and Imaging Solutions Units

ST. LOUIS, March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Tyco Healthcare today announced the appointment of Timothy R. Wright to the position of president of its Pharmaceutical Products and Imaging Solutions businesses, effective immediately.

Tyco Healthcare's $1.2 billion Pharmaceutical Products business is the world's largest manufacturer of acetaminophen and one of the largest generic pharmaceutical suppliers in the United States. Its $900 million Imaging Solutions business is an industry leader in medical imaging -- providing a full line of radiopharmaceuticals, contrast media and contrast media delivery systems for the early diagnosis and treatment of disease. Products sold by the two business segments are marketed under the Mallinckrodt brand name.

Wright, 49, will lead the overall management and strategic direction of these two Tyco Healthcare businesses, which are focused on providing life- changing products used by clinicians and pharmacists around the world.

"Tim is a healthcare industry veteran whose broad global experience makes him an ideal leader of these two rapidly growing businesses," said Richard J. Meelia, president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tyco Healthcare. "We're confident that Tim's strong focus on patients, extensive track record of accomplishment and wealth of industry knowledge will enable our pharmaceutical and imaging businesses to execute with excellence on both current and long-term growth strategies."

Prior to joining Tyco Healthcare, Wright was the interim CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of AAIPharma. He previously held executive positions with Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, where he was chief operating officer; Elan Bio-Pharmaceuticals, where he served as president, Global Commercial Operations, and president, Europe, Japan and Rest of World; and Cardinal Health, where he was senior vice president, Healthcare Product Services. Wright began his career with DuPont Merck Pharmaceuticals, serving for 15 years in several key management roles focused on North America, Europe and Asia in the commercial, clinical and manufacturing functions, including business development and licensing and strategy development and planning.

"Our Pharmaceutical Products and Imaging Solutions businesses have long- standing vertically integrated development and manufacturing capabilities that are world-class. And more importantly, we have a unique understanding and expertise in the development, manufacturing and commercialization of controlled substances, nuclear medicine and imaging agents," said Wright. "I look forward to working with this talented group of very committed people and to leveraging the value of our synergies with the other medical device and supply units of Tyco Healthcare."

ABOUT TYCO HEALTHCARE

Tyco Healthcare's Mallinckrodt division offers a diverse line of imaging and pharmaceutical products that diagnose disease and relieve pain. As a major business segment of Tyco International Ltd., Tyco Healthcare develops, manufactures and distributes medical devices and supplies, diagnostic imaging agents, pharmaceuticals and other healthcare products for use in clinical and home settings. With well-known brand names, such as United States Surgical, Autosuture, Valleylab, Mallinckrodt, Nellcor, Puritan Bennett and Kendall, Tyco Healthcare serves needs in the operating room and other hospital settings, long-term care and other alternate care facilities, doctors' offices and the home.

Tyco Healthcare will be called Covidien once it separates from Tyco International and becomes an independent, publicly traded company.

CONTACT: JoAnna Schooler of Tyco Healthcare - Mallinckrodt,+1-314-654-3543, joanna.schooler@tycohealthcare.com , or David Young ofTyco Healthcare, +1-508-261-6330, david.young@tycohealthcare.com

Web site: http://www.tyco.com/