Oct 6, 2005
Guidant Launches Cobalt Chromium Coronary Stent System in Japan

MULTI-LINK VISION® RX Coronary Stent System Provides Thin Struts, Superb Deliverability and Excellent Clinical Results

Indianapolis, Ind. and Tokyo - Guidant Corporation (NYSE: GDT) today announced that the company has launched the MULTI-LINK VISION® RX Coronary Stent System in Japan, following regulatory and reimbursement approvals.

The rapid-exchange MULTI-LINK VISION RX Stent System is part of Guidant''s innovative class of cobalt chromium stents. Cobalt chromium is stronger and more radiopaque than stainless steel, giving cobalt chromium stents thinner struts without compromising visibility. The result is a lower profile and more deliverable stent that enables physicians to access challenging coronary lesions.

"The MULTI-LINK VISION RX Stent System integrates the features of a cobalt chromium stent with Guidant's rapid-exchange delivery system. With its thin struts and superb deliverability, the VISION RX Stent System has consistently demonstrated excellent acute performance and long-term clinical outcomes," said John M. Capek, Ph.D. president, Vascular Intervention, Guidant Corporation. "We are pleased that regulatory and reimbursement approvals have taken place rapidly, allowing us to provide this important technology to patients in Japan."

Japan''s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) approved the MULTI-LINK VISION RX Coronary Stent System in 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm diameters and 8 mm to 28 mm lengths in coronary vessels. The MULTI-LINK VISION Registry has demonstrated positive clinical results with 1.9 percent clinically driven target lesion revascularization and a 15.7 percent binary restenosis rate at six months.

"The MULTI-LINK VISION RX offers excellent clinical results for the treatment of coronary artery disease," said Greg Davis, president, Guidant, Japan K.K. "This breakthrough cobalt chromium stent is a welcome new option for physicians in Japan."

Guidant plans to use its cobalt chromium stent technology in future drug eluting stent programs. The company recently initiated SPIRIT II AND SPIRIT III, large-scale pivotal clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of Guidant''s drug eluting stent system for the treatment of coronary artery disease. These prospective, randomized, single-blind trials compare XIENCE(tm) V, an everolimus eluting stent system utilizing Guidant''s cobalt chromium MULTI-LINK VISION® Coronary Stent System platform, versus the TAXUS® Express 2(tm) Paclitaxel Eluting Coronary Stent System. Guidant received Clinical Trial Notification acceptance from the MHLW in September to begin patient enrollment in the SPIRIT III Japan Registry.

Guidant offers a broad family of stents designed to meet needs of customers in Japan. In July 2004, the company launched its fifth-generation stainless steel stent in Japan, the MULTI-LINK ZETA® Coronary Stent System. Guidant's MULTI-LINK PIXEL® Coronary Stent System, launched in Japan earlier this year, is designed specifically for small vessels in patients presenting with abrupt or threatened abrupt closure.

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 12,000 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.