Centerpulse to Sell Vascutek

Centerpulse Ltd (Swiss Stock Market symbol: CEPN, New York Stock Exchange symbol: CEP) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Vascutek vascular grafts business to Japanese medical device company Terumo Corporation for USD 170 million, subject to customary working capital adjustments. The sale of Vascutek is the second step in Centerpulse's plan to divest its cardiovascular interests, after the September announcement of the sale of IntraTherapeutics for USD 95 million. The sale process for Centerpulse's remaining cardiovascular business is proceeding according to plan, and firm bids are expected soon.

The sale of Scotland-based Vascutek and its international distribution network is expected to close during November. The closing is subject to customary closing conditions. Vascutek is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of vascular prostheses. The company develops, produces and distributes products that treat cardiovascular disease. The company employs staff of 240 and generated sales of CHF 35 million during the first half of 2002.

Tokyo-based Terumo Corporation is a leading manufacturer and distributor of a broad range of medical products, including cardiovascular technologies and implants, which are sold in approximately 150 countries worldwide. Terumo is focused on growing its cardiovascular business, and believes the addition of Vascutek to its portfolio is an important strategic step towards this goal.

Centerpulse announced plans to divest its Cardiac and Vascular Divisions in June of this year. The company is refining its strategic focus to emphasise the core sectors of orthopedic, spine and dental implants.

Lehman Brothers is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Centerpulse. McDermott, Will & Emery is acting as outside legal counsel.

Centerpulse's subsidiary companies develop, produce, and distribute medical implants and biological materials for cardiovascular and orthopedic markets worldwide. The product array includes artificial joints, dental implants, spinal implants and instrumentation, trauma products, heart valves, synthetic blood vessels and stents for vascular and non-vascular obstructions.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENTS UNDER THE U.S. PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995.

This report may contain forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, projections of future performance of materials and products, financial conditions, results of operations and cash flows, containing risks and uncertainties. These statements are subject to change based on known risks detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings and other known and unknown risks and various other factors which could cause the actual results or performance to differ materially from the statement made herein.

This news release is available on the internet at: www.centerpulse.com

SOURCE: Centerpulse

CONTACT: Media, Erwin Schaerer

mobile, +41-79-407-12-25

+41-1-306-96-53

fax, +41-1-306-96-51

[email protected], or

Investors, Marc Ostermann

+41-1-306-98-24

fax, +41-1-306-98-31

[email protected], both of Centerpulse

First Call Analyst:

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

--Distributed by AsiaNet (www.asianetnews.net)--

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