May 30, 2003
Guidant Japan Establishes New Facility for Physician Education

Guidant's Institute for Therapy Advancement - Japan Continues Leadership in Medical Education

Indianapolis, Ind. and Tokyo, Japan - Guidant Corporation (NYSE: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease, today announced the establishment of the Guidant Institute for Therapy Advancement - Japan, an innovative facility in Tokyo that will provide physicians with unique opportunities to enhance their knowledge and expertise on the most current cardiovascular therapies and techniques. The Institute is part of Guidant''s ongoing commitment to providing physicians with the latest training and technology to advance the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Members of Guidant''s Management Committee and the Japanese Advisory Board, which is composed of senior Japanese advisors drawn from government and business, gathered in Tokyo today to celebrate the opening of the Institute. The group addressed several members of the Japanese media on site to tour the Institute. The new facility will begin offering programs in the third quarter of 2003.

"Our investment in the new Guidant Institute for Therapy Advancement - Japan reflects Guidant's commitment to Japan, its healthcare system and its physicians," said Ron Lattanze, president, Japan, Guidant Corporation. "We are confident that this Institute will fill an important need in Japan to provide cardiac specialists with more access to, and experience with, rapidly changing cardiovascular therapies and techniques."

The scientific integrity of programs at the Institute will be guaranteed by independent course directors, who are widely respected physicians and who have extensive daily clinical practice. The Guidant Institute for Therapy Advancement - Japan is modeled on the successful Guidant Institute for Therapy Advancement - Europe, which facilitates educational courses on cardiac and vascular therapies for approximately 2,000 clinicians each year. The European facility recently received Continuous Medical Education (CME) accreditation from the European Board of Accreditation in Cardiology.

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 11,000 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.