Nov 17, 1999
Guidant Receives Approval to Sell the ACS RX GEMINI Coronary Dilatation Catheter in Japan

Indianapolis, IN - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of coronary artery disease, today announced that it has received approval from the Japan Ministry of Health and Welfare to sell the ACS RX GEMINI(tm) Coronary Dilatation Catheter in Japan.

The ACS RX GEMINI employs the new ACS CRITICOIL(tm) Flexible Coil Feature which provides enhanced flexibility for use in tortuous arteries and also utilizes the new, more robust POWERTRAK(tm) Shaft Technology to transmit excellent push for crossing tight lesions. The catheter''s XCELON 6(tm) Balloon Material enables multiple inflation strategies, including primary angioplasty. This new, high performance dilatation catheter utilizes a Rapid Exchange platform.

Commenting on the Japan ministry''s approval of the ACS RX GEMINI, Fred McCoy, president of Guidant''s Asia Pacific Rim Operations, said, "The ACS RX GEMINI Coronary Dilatation Catheter was designed with Japan physician input to deliver exceptional performance in the most challenging anatomies. In Japan, the ACS RX GEMINI is the first approval in a series of new Guidant dilatation catheters under review by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Japan is a large and clinically demanding market for coronary dilatation catheters. The ACS RX GEMINI has demonstrated excellent performance and achieved excellent market acceptance in other world markets. Therefore, we are especially pleased to now be able to offer the ACS RX GEMINI to the physicians and patients of Japan."

A global leader in the medical device industry, Guidant provides innovative, minimally invasive and cost-effective products and services for the treatment of cardiovascular and vascular disease. For more information about Guidant''s products and services, visit the company''s Web site at http://www.guidant.com.