Medtronic and Weigao Announce Joint Venture in China

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) (“Medtronic”) and Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Company Limited (Hong Kong Stock Exchange: 8199) (“Weigao”) today announced that they have agreed to form a joint venture to market therapies in the spine and orthopedics sector and that Medtronic would acquire a 15% equity interest in Weigao.

The joint venture will market in China Medtronic’s spinal products and Weigao’s orthopedic products which include therapies for the hip, shoulder, spine and trauma. Under the joint venture agreement (“Joint Venture Agreement”), Medtronic will have a 51% interest in the joint venture and Weigao will have a 49% interest.

Medtronic will purchase a 15% equity interest in Weigao for approximately HK$1,726 million (US$221 million) through the purchase of 80,721,081 newly issued H Shares of Weigao that are listed on the Hong Kong stock Exchange at a purchase price of HK$11.138 per share and an equal number of Weigao’s unlisted ordinary shares from Weigao’s existing shareholders at a purchase price of HK$10.247 per share. In connection with the purchase of the shares, Medtronic will have the right to nominate two non executive directors to Weigao’s board of directors as long as Medtronic owns 3.75% of the H Shares.

Closing of the transaction is subject to various conditions, including approval of the Chinese regulators and Weigao’s shareholders.

“China is key to our global strategy as we continue to expand our geographic footprint,” said Bill Hawkins, Medtronic president and CEO. “Weigao has a broad orthopedic and trauma product line that compliments Medtronic’s offerings, but even more importantly, we feel we can generate synergies with their very strong presence and reputation in China. We view Weigao as an ideal strategic partner.”

Mr. Chen Xue Li, chairman of Weigao said, “We take great pride in forming a strategic alliance with Medtronic, the world’s leading medical technology company. The collaboration will further broaden our business and raise our R&D capability, leveraging our extensive customer network and quality production, paving the way for Weigao to be the leading medical device company in Asia. With our localized knowledge, we hope to play an important role in Medtronic’s China strategy bringing Medtronic’s products to benefit millions of patients in China.”

About Medtronic
Medtronic, Inc., (www.medtronic.com) headquartered in Minneapolis, is the world’s leading medical technology company, alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for people with chronic disease. Its Internet address is.

About Weigao
Weigao (www.weigaogroup.com) based in the Shandong province of the People’s Republic of China, is the leading manufacturer in China of medical devices and single-use consumables including infusion sets, syringes, blood transfusion sets and blood bags as well as orthopedic, cardiovascular stent and blood purification products.