DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced definitive agreements to sell its Sleep Diagnostics and Oxygen Therapy product lines and a proposal to sell its Sleep Therapy product line.

The decision to divest these three product lines was made following a thorough review and evaluation of a number of strategic alternatives. The decision is consistent with Covidien’s strategy to streamline its portfolio and reallocate resources to its faster-growing, higher-margin businesses, where the Company has or can develop a global competitive advantage.

Covidien and Embla have entered into a definitive agreement under which Embla will acquire Covidien’s Sleep Diagnostics products, including design/development, sales administration, technical service and shipping facilities in Ottawa, Canada, as well as global sales and service functions. This includes several products sold under the Sandman™ brand. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Separately, Covidien and Chart Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: GTLS) have entered into a definitive agreement under which Chart will acquire Covidien’s Oxygen Therapy products, including the design, manufacturing, sales and service functions worldwide. This includes products sold under the Companion™ and Helios™ brands. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The Company also has proposed the sale of its Sleep Therapy product line. This includes several products sold under the Sandman™ brand, as well as the DreamFit™, GoodKnight™ and Breeze™ brands.

On a combined basis, fiscal 2008 sales of these three product lines were about $175 million. For the nine months 2009, sales of these product lines were about $100 million.

Completion of the two product line sale transactions is subject to customary closing conditions, with closing expected by the end of calendar 2009. The transactions are not expected to have a material effect on operating income or earnings per share for 2010.

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 over 140 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn more about our business.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Any statements contained in this communication that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on our management’s current beliefs and expectations, but are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances, which may cause actual results or Company actions to differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these statements. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, our ability to effectively introduce and market new products or keep pace with advances in technology, the reimbursement practices of a small number of large public and private insurers, cost-containment efforts of customers, purchasing groups, third-party payers and governmental organizations, intellectual property rights disputes, complex and costly regulation, including healthcare fraud and abuse regulations, manufacturing or supply chain problems or disruptions, rising commodity costs, recalls or safety alerts and negative publicity relating to Covidien or its products, product liability losses and other litigation liability, including legacy Tyco-related litigation, divestitures of some of our businesses or product lines, our ability to execute strategic acquisitions of, investments in or alliances with other companies and businesses, competition, risks associated with doing business outside of the United States, foreign currency exchange rates, issues related to our existing material weakness in accounting for income taxes or potential environmental liabilities. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in our filings with the SEC. We disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements other than as required by law.