ABIOMED Announces Additions to Management Team; Release of Fiscal Q3 Results Scheduled for January 25th.

Business/Technology Editor & Health/Medical Writers

DANVERS, Mass.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 18, 2001

ABIOMED, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABMD), a leader in heart assist and replacement technology, today announced a number of key additions to its management team. Thomas W. Burns joined ABIOMED as Vice President for Manufacturing Operations, James M. Koert joined the Company as Senior Vice President for Market Development, Timothy J. O'Malley has been appointed General Manager for European Operations based in the Netherlands, and Dr. Edward E. Berger has assumed the newly created position of Vice President for Government and External Relations.

"These recent appointments strengthen and enrich ABIOMED's management capabilities," said Dr. David M. Lederman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "As we anticipate the initiation of clinical trials for our AbioCor(TM) Implantable Replacement Heart, we are adding further strength, depth and experience to our management team. These additions should help successfully lead ABIOMED into the next stage of our corporate development. Our goal is to effectively translate our technological leadership into enduring commercial leadership in our industry, and these appointments are important steps in that direction, both in the U.S. and internationally."

Thomas W. Burns has seventeen years of operations experience in the medical device industry leading and building successful organizations through complex start-up, turnaround and high growth cycles. As Vice President of Manufacturing for the Milford/Mansfield Massachusetts Operations of Boston Scientific Corporation, Tom exercised responsibility for manufacturing, quality, engineering and customer satisfaction for a broad range of Cardiology, Endoscopy and Radiology devices. He previously served as a manager with Haemonetics Corporation, Polaroid and BASF Systems, and holds a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from Northeastern University.

James M. Koert brings a broad range of marketing and general management experience to ABIOMED. The founder and former President of BeneCor Heart Systems, Inc., Jim joined ABIOMED subsequent to its acquisition of BeneCor. For ten years previously he held General Management positions for 3M Healthcare, most recently with 3M Cardiovascular Systems (commonly known as Sarn's, Inc.), the worldwide leader in heart lung machines. Mr. Koert has also served as Director of Corporate Marketing and Group Product Manager for Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. He has an MBA from University of Michigan, a M.S. in Chemistry from University of California, Berkeley and a B.S. in Chemistry from Hope College.

Timothy O'Malley will be responsible for building ABIOMED's European sales, marketing and distribution capabilities. He brings extraordinary experience and capabilities to this critical corporate goal. Tim was for eight years President of Diva Medical Systems in Maastricht, Netherlands, a provider of computerized diabetes management systems. Previously, he was European Business Development

Manager for Eli Lilly's European Diabetes Unit in London UK, and prior to this position, the International Marketing Manager for Cardiac Pacemaker, Inc. Mr. O'Malley was also the Managing Partner of EurUS, Inc. a business development consulting firm specializing in emerging medical technology companies throughout Europe. He began his career in finance with IBM, and has an MBA from DePaul University and a B.A. from American University.

Dr. Edward E. Berger is a seasoned healthcare executive with special insight into the impact of public policy on business strategy and operations. As Vice President for Government Relations and External Affairs for National Medical Care, Inc. from 1990-97, he directed all public policy analysis, advocacy and related strategic communications for a $2.5 billion health care company diversified into kidney dialysis, medical device manufacture, home infusion therapy, and laboratory and diagnostic testing. An expert on Medicare coverage and reimbursement issues, Ed comes to ABIOMED from Thermo Cardiosystems, Inc. where, as Senior Consultant for Reimbursement Strategy, he developed and began to implement a comprehensive advocacy program to improve public and private third party coverage and reimbursement for implantable cardiac assist and replacement devices.

ABIOMED also stated that it has scheduled January 25, 2001 to announce its financial results for the third fiscal quarter of its current fiscal year, the quarter ending December 31, 2000. On January 25, 2001, investors and analyst are invited to listen or participate in a conference call with select members of ABIOMED's senior management. The conference call, which is scheduled to begin that day at 11:00 EST, can be heard via the Internet at www.abiomed.com.

Based in Danvers, Massachusetts, ABIOMED, Inc. (pronounced "AB'-EE-O-MED") is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical products designed to assist or replace the pumping function of the failing heart. The Company's AbioCor Implantable Replacement Heart is in an advanced stage of development and moving into a state of preparedness for initial human trials. ABIOMED currently manufactures and sells the BVS(R), a temporary heart assist device, for the support of all patients with failing but potentially recoverable hearts.