Apr 19, 2001
Guidant Expands Company's Non-Coronary Stent Offering

Indianapolis, Ind. and Menlo Park, Calif. - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiovascular and vascular disease, announced today it has received approval from the U.S Food and Drug Administration for its newest non-coronary stent system, the RX HERCULINK(tm) PLUS Biliary Stent System. This new stent is intended for treating malignant biliary obstructions, which are blockages found in the ducts that carry fluids from the liver to the gallbladder or from the gallbladder to the small intestine.

Similar to coronary stent systems, biliary stents work by expanding narrowed sections of a vessel to restore the flow of fluids through the area. Biliary obstructions can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, including gallstones, tumors of the bile ducts or pancreas, or other tumors that have spread to the biliary system.

The RX HERCULINK PLUS System is based on Guidant's successful RX HERCULINK(tm) platform, and features:

• A more robust new stent design with 9 crests per ring and multiple rings per stent to increase the stent's ability to cover and hold open the blockage

• XCELON® balloon material, which offers both high-pressure inflation capability and flexibility for improved system deliverability to reach the site of the blockage

• A simple to use Rapid Exchange (RX) platform allowing for biliary interventions with a small .014" guide wire and a single physician operator

The RX HERCULINK PLUS is also designed to allow physicians to perform the stenting procedure through a smaller 6F or 7F guiding catheter, which reduces the puncture site and may potentially reduce bleeding and wound size.

"Guidant's RX HERCULINK PLUS System offers the potential to relieve symptoms and positively impact the lives of patients," said Beverly Huss, president of Guidant's Endovascular Solutions group. "We are pleased to add another stent to Guidant's comprehensive product line and the U.S. launch of our newest non-coronary stent complements several coronary stent milestones Guidant has achieved in the first part of this year."

Guidant is the world leader in stents, catheters and guidewires, and continues to innovate and market new products and platforms to expand treatment options. Earlier this year Guidant received CE Mark approval and filed for FDA approval of its fifth broad use coronary stent system, the MULTI-LINK PENTA(tm) Coronary Stent System. The company also recently launched a new coronary stent system, the MULTI-LINK PLUS(tm) Coronary Stent System, in Japan.

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.