CPTS Conceptus, Inc. (MM)

Conceptus, Inc. (Nasdaq:CPTS), developer of the Essure® procedure, the leading non-surgical permanent birth control method, announced today that it has hired Lori Ciano to the newly created position of Executive Vice President, Human Resources effective immediately. Ms. Ciano will lead the Company's worldwide human resources function and will report directly to Conceptus President and Chief Executive Officer, D. Keith Grossman.

Previously Ms. Ciano was Senior Vice President, Human Resources for Affymetrix Inc., a gene chip company, where she directed the strategic planning and administration of the company's 1,100-member workforce worldwide for more than four years. Prior to Affymetrix she was at Novellus Systems, Inc. for six years. As Vice President of Human Resources for three years, she led employee development and training, global compensation, organizational development, and employee relations programs for more than 3,300 employees worldwide. For the prior three years at Novellus she served as Senior Director of Customer Satisfaction. Ms. Ciano also worked for Varian Associates for 20 years in a variety of customer service, marketing and business development positions.

Ms. Ciano has a Masters Degree in Psychology from JFK University, an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University and a B.S. in Marketing from San Jose State University.

"We are delighted to welcome someone of Lori Ciano's caliber in the human resources field to Conceptus at this important time in our history. Lori is widely recognized as a very senior and outstanding leader with a proven track record of human resources planning and development strategies for several high growth companies," said Mr. Grossman. "I look forward to Lori's contributions in building a culture of excellence that will help us achieve our growth objectives for the Company."

About the Essure® Procedure

The Essure procedure, FDA approved since 2002, is the first permanent birth control method that can be performed in the comfort of a physician's office in less than 10 minutes (average hysteroscopic time) without hormones, cutting, burning or the risks associated with general anesthesia or tubal ligation. Soft, flexible inserts are placed in a woman's fallopian tubes through the cervix without incisions. Over the next three months, the body forms a natural barrier around and through the inserts to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. Three months after the Essure procedure, a doctor is able to perform an Essure Confirmation Test to confirm that the inserts are properly placed and that the fallopian tubes are fully blocked, allowing the patient to rely upon Essure for permanent birth control.

The Essure procedure is 99.95% effective based on one year of follow up with zero pregnancies reported in clinical trials, making it the most effective form of permanent birth control on the market. The procedure is covered by most public and private insurance plans, and when it is performed in a doctor's office the cost to the patient may be as low as a simple co-pay. Essure has been proven and trusted by physicians since 2002, with more than 600,000 women worldwide having undergone the Essure procedure.

About Conceptus®, Inc.

Conceptus, Inc. is a leader in the design, development and marketing of innovative solutions in women's healthcare. The Company manufactures and markets the Essure procedure. The Essure procedure is available in the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America and the Middle East. 

Please visit www.essure.com for more information on the Essure procedure. Patients may call the Essure Information Center at 1-877-ESSURE-1 with questions or to find a physician in their area.

© 2012 Conceptus, Inc.— All rights reserved.

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CONTACT: Investor and Public Relations Contact:
         Cindy Klimstra
         (650) 962-4032
         cindy_klimstra@conceptus.com