Dec 6, 2002
Guidant Appoints Guido J. Neels Group Chairman, Office of the President

Neels to Direct Guidant''s Worldwide Sales and Distribution Operations

Indianapolis, IN - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease, today announced that Guido J. Neels, currently president, Guidant Europe, Middle East, Africa and Canada, has been promoted to group chairman, Office of the President, Guidant Corporation, effective January 1, 2003. In his new role, Neels will relocate to Guidant''s headquarters in Indianapolis and will oversee the company''s worldwide sales and distribution operations.

"Guido is a seasoned leader with exceptional global experience on both the operation and distribution sides of the business," stated Ronald W. Dollens, president and CEO, Guidant Corporation. "Under Guido''s leadership in Europe, Guidant significantly strengthened its market position and is poised for continued growth in one of the most competitive medical technology markets in the world.

"Throughout his career with Guidant, Guido has consistently established and delivered upon the high aspirations that he holds for the business," continued Dollens. "He has built exceptional management teams that have obtained market leadership positions across diverse product groups. We look forward to his continued contributions as he further strengthens Guidant''s global customer partnerships in this senior leadership position."

Neels was appointed to his current post in January 2000. Prior to this, he served as vice president, global marketing for Guidant Vascular Intervention. Neels also presided over Guidant''s German and Central European operations as managing director.

Neels joined Eli Lilly and Company in 1982 and held a variety of sales and marketing positions of increasing responsibility in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and United States. In 1989, he was assigned to the Medical Devices and Diagnostic division of Lilly, which later became the foundation of Guidant, and was responsible for the introduction of implantable defibrillators in Europe. He was later named general manager overseeing the division''s operations in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and countries in which the company operated via dealer relationships.

Neels received a Business Engineering degree from the University of Leuven in Belgium, and holds a Master of Business Administration from Stanford University.

Guidant Corporation pioneers lifesaving technology, giving an opportunity for better life today to millions of cardiac and vascular patients worldwide. The company, driven by a strong entrepreneurial culture of more than 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. For more information visit www.guidant.com.

NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information about Guidant, including its products and services, please visit the company''s newsroom at www.guidant.com/newsroom.