Oct 31, 2000
Guidant Forms Japanese Advisory Board Board to Advise Guidant as it Advances Emerging Medical Technologies in Japan

Indianapolis, Ind. and Tokyo, Japan - In an effort to broaden and accelerate the access of Guidant's lifesaving and life-enhancing medical technologies to the Japanese population, Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a world leader in the medical technology industry, today announced that is has formed an advisory board for its operations in Japan.

The new board, which held its first meeting in Tokyo earlier today, is comprised of recognized leaders in the Japanese community and Guidant executives. The board will advise Guidant Japan's senior management on strategic medical, regulatory and business matters associated with the development and introduction of Guidant's emerging medical technologies to treat cardiovascular and vascular disease in Japan.

"The formation of Guidant's Japanese Advisory Board is a clear indication of Guidant's commitment to building a Japan-centric enterprise that will make a meaningful contribution to Japanese society," commented Dana Mead, president, Guidant Japan, Asia Pacific operations. "This is a critical time for Guidant Japan, as we strive to facilitate patient access to emerging technologies focused on debilitating and costly health issues like heart failure."

On a global basis, Guidant Corporation annually spends approximately 14 percent of its revenue on research and development. As a result, Guidant is on the verge of introducing a number of new therapies that leverage the company's extensive clinical knowledge and capabilities in treating cardiovascular and vascular disease into areas such as heart failure, sudden cardiac death, abdominal aortic aneurysm, intravascular radiotherapy and carotid and peripheral vascular disease. These therapies have the potential to reduce mortality and substantially improve the lives of millions of patients around the world.

"The need for innovative medical solutions will drastically increase as Japan's rapidly aging population continues to exert pressure on the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of our health care system," said Kazutoyo Komatsu, who will serve as chairman of the advisory board. "The board is comprised of leaders in a number of fields, who are dedicated to helping provide the Japanese population state-of-the-art medical technologies that are clinically proven to save and enhance lives."

Members of the Guidant Japan Advisory Board are:

• Mr. Komatsu, who as announced will serve as chairman of the board. Previously, Mr. Komatsu was chairman of the board of Baxter's medical technology business in Japan for 15 years. Prior to that, he served in several global executive positions with Sony and Kenwood Corp.

• Dr. Kazuhiko Atsumi, who has served as professor emeritus of medical electronics at Tokyo University since 1990. Dr. Atsumi is a cardiac surgeon by training and was professor of medicine at Tokyo University from 1967 to 1989. Dr. Atsumi will provide valuable insight as Guidant evaluates its emerging technologies for introduction into the Japanese market.

• Mr. Masataka Kohda, who was previously vice minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW). Mr. Kohda has also represented the Japanese government in the market opening specific sector (MOSS) talks with the United States.

• Mr. Takashi Kurisaka, who has held the post of managing partner of the Tokyo office for consulting firm Egon Zehnder International since 1981. Mr. Kurisaka brings extensive business and human resource experience to the Board.

Other active members of the board are James M. Cornelius, Guidant chairman of the board; Ronald W. Dollens, Guidant president and CEO; and J.B. King, Guidant special counsel.

"We are fortunate to have access to the board's unparalleled collective knowledge in the areas of business, medicine and government," commented Mead. "We look forward to working closely with our new board members as we continue to advance our initiatives of increasing awareness and acceptance of novel medical technologies in Japan."

Headquartered in Tokyo, Guidant's rapidly growing Asia Pacific operations employ more than 300 employee-owners in offices in Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and India.

A global leader in the medical technology industry, Guidant Corporation provides innovative, minimally invasive and cost-effective products and services for the treatment of cardiovascular and vascular disease.