May 9, 2001
Guidant Poised for U.S. Launch of Newest Coronary Stent System

Company Receives FDA Approval of MULTI-LINK PENTA

Indianapolis, Ind. and Santa Clara, Calif. - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of coronary artery disease, today announced that it has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of its fifth broad-use coronary stent system, the MULTI-LINK PENTA(tm) Coronary Stent System.

"We are pleased with the FDA review and approval of Guidant's MULTI-LINK PENTA product submission," said Ronald W. Dollens, president and chief executive officer, Guidant Corporation. "This month's FDA approval coupled with the MULTI-LINK PENTA CE Mark approval earlier this year will allow Guidant to execute the launch of this exciting new product much sooner than we expected."

Guidant will launch the MULTI-LINK PENTA in Europe in conjunction with the Paris Course on Revascularization, a major meeting of international cardiologists that will be held in Paris, France, on May 22-25. The company will begin introducing the MULTI-LINK PENTA to physicians in the U.S. in June.

"The global launch of the MULTI-LINK PENTA is a significant event for the company," said John M. Capek, Ph.D., president, vascular intervention, Guidant Corporation. "The MULTI-LINK PENTA is Guidant's fifth and most advanced broad-use coronary stent system. The simultaneous introduction of the product in both the European and U.S. markets is a clear demonstration of Guidant's leadership in stent design and development, as well as in the management of regulatory affairs."

The MULTI-LINK PENTA contains technological innovations that are designed to help physicians better access and treat blockages in coronary arteries. The stent features ACCESS-LINK(tm) technology, a new feature developed to allow the stent to be flexible enough to be maneuvered through a patient's vessels while still retaining the strength needed to prop open a previously blocked artery. Also, the MULTI-LINK PENTA is mounted on a delivery system with the new WRAP(tm) balloon that is designed to allow the system to be more easily delivered to the site of the coronary blockage.

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.