NATICK, Mass., May 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today announced the launch of its TAXUS® Express2™ paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system in Japan. The product was approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) on March 30; reimbursement has now been granted by the National Health Insurance System, effective May 1.

The TAXUS stent systems are currently the leading drug-eluting stents in markets outside of Japan. The number of coronary stents implanted annually in Japan is estimated at 200,000, making it the largest market in the world outside of the United States.

The TAXUS stent systems have been evaluated by the industry's most extensive randomized, controlled clinical trial program. The TAXUS stent systems have also been studied in more than 12,000 real-world patients enrolled in post-approval registries, in addition to three million TAXUS stents implanted worldwide.

"Boston Scientific is committed to bringing the most innovative medical devices and procedures to the Japan market," said David W. McFaul, President and Representative Director of Boston Scientific Japan K.K. "The TAXUS stent offers Japanese physicians a broader choice of stent technologies and provides a deliverable treatment option with proven outcomes across a broad range of patients."

Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices whose products are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. For more information, please visit: http://www.bostonscientific.com/ .

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Boston Scientific wishes to caution the reader of this press release that actual results may differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and may be adversely affected by, among other things, risks associated with product development and commercialization, clinical trials, intellectual property, regulatory approvals, competitive offerings, Boston Scientific's overall business strategy, and other factors described in Boston Scientific's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

   CONTACT:  Paul Donovan
             508-650-8541 (office)
             508-667-5165 (mobile)
             Media Relations
             Boston Scientific Corporation

             Dan Brennan
             508-650-8538 (office)
             617-459-2703 (mobile)
             Investor Relations
             Boston Scientific Corporation

SOURCE: Boston Scientific Corporation

CONTACT: Media Relations, Paul Donovan, +1-508-650-8541, mobile,
+1-508-667-5165, or Investor Relations, Dan Brennan, +1-508-650-8538, mobile,
+1-617-459-2703, both of Boston Scientific Corporation

Web site: http://www.bostonscientific.com/