Aug 17, 2001
Guidant Receives Approval for Full Market Release of ANCURE System

Less-Invasive Therapy Available to Treat Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Indianapolis, Ind. and Menlo Park, Calif. - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease, announced today that it has received approval of the required PMA supplement filings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), allowing the company to proceed with full market release of the ANCURE® ENDOGRAFT® System. Guidant's ANCURE system is a less invasive method for repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

"We are extremely pleased about beginning the full commercial release of our ANCURE system," said Beverly Huss, president, Endovascular Solutions, Guidant Corporation. "We are prepared to return the ANCURE system to the market this quarter. We also appreciate the FDA's cooperation in working with us to return this important therapy to physicians and patients."

"Guidant's emerging therapies, like ANCURE, will continue to fuel new growth for Guidant going forward-AAA alone represents a billion dollar market opportunity," said Ronald W. Dollens, Guidant president and CEO. "We believe our market release program will position Guidant favorably to begin realizing our previous sales levels within one to two quarters of the ANCURE system's full market release."

About AAA and the ANCURE System

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlargement of the aorta - the largest blood vessel in the human body - that results from a weakening of the vessel wall. If left untreated, the enlargement can lead to rupture of the aorta, which is fatal in nearly 80 percent of cases. Approximately 200,000 new cases of AAA are diagnosed each year in the United States.

The traditional method for repairing AAA is a major surgical procedure that requires a long incision down the patient's chest and abdomen. Recovering from this procedure often involves a hospital stay of approximately one week, as well as several months of convalescence to fully recover. Endovascular repair of AAA using the ANCURE system is a less invasive procedure that requires small incisions in the patient's groin, into which the catheter-based ANCURE delivery system is inserted. The delivery system, carrying the ANCURE ENDOGRAFT, is delivered to the site of the aneurysm, where the endograft is secured in place to bypass the aneurysm.

Guidant Corporation pioneers lifesaving technology, giving an opportunity for better life today to 7 million cardiac and vascular patients worldwide. The company, driven by a strong entrepreneurial culture of 10,000 employees, develops, manufactures and markets a broad array of products and services that enable less invasive care for some of life's most threatening medical conditions.

This release contains forward-looking statements about the company's future financial results, the company's prospects and products in research and development. This information is based upon management's current expectations, but actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Other factors affecting future results include those outlined in Exhibit 99 to the company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ending June 30, 2001.