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MINNEAPOLIS AND HONG KONG – December 18, 2007 – 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.”

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.

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding our operating momentum, new products and other developments, which are subject to risks and uncertainties, such as competitive factors, difficulties and delays inherent in the development, manufacturing, marketing and sale of medical products, integration of acquired businesses, government regulation, general economic conditions and other risk and uncertainties described in Medtronic’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 27, 2007. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results. Medtronic does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.

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.

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to certain of the plans and objectives of the management of Weigao.  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results or performance of Weigao Group to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking statements were based on assumptions regarding Weigao’s present and future business strategies and the political and economic environment in which Weigao and its subsidiaries will operate in the future.  Reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the view of Weigao Group’s management as of the date of this news release only.

Contacts:

Medtronic:
Media:  Marybeth Thorsgaard, 763-505-2644
Investor Relations:  Jeff Warren, 763-505-2696

Weigao:
Media:  Callis Lau, 852-2136-6952
Investor Relations:  Phyllis Chan, 852-2838-1868

About Medtronic