ABIOMED Announces Japanese Approval for BVS Heart Assist System.

Business Editors and Health/Medical Writers

DANVERS, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 23, 2001

ABIOMED, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABMD) today announced that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has granted approval for its distributor, MEDIX JAPAN, Inc., to market and sell the BVS(R) biventricular heart support system in Japan.

"We are extremely pleased by this important milestone, which will allow us to bring our proven BVS system, the most widely used advanced heart assist technology in the world, into one of the world's largest medical device markets," said ABIOMED Sr. VP for Sales and Marketing, Mr. Gene Rabe. "Japanese marketing approval reflects the results of a multi-year effort by ABIOMED in partnership with MEDIX JAPAN, Inc. We look forward to working further with them to secure appropriate reimbursement for our technology, and to build a network of clinical centers using the BVS to save human lives in Japan."

The BVS provides short-term assistance to one or both sides of the heart, or can completely take over the heart's pumping function, often allowing the damaged or stunned heart to rest and recover.

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(TM) Implantable Replacement Heart is being implanted in patients as part of an initial clinical trial conducted under an Investigational Device Exemption from the United States Food and Drug Administration. The AbioCor has not been approved for commercial distribution, and is not available for use or sale outside of the initial clinical trial. ABIOMED currently manufactures and sells the BVS, a heart assist device for the temporary support of all patients with failing but potentially recoverable hearts.

This Release contains forward-looking statements regarding reimbursement and sales of the BVS in Japan. ABIOMED's actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements based upon a number of factors, including uncertainties associated with regulatory approvals, anticipated future losses, complex manufacturing, high quality requirements, dependence on limited sources of supply, competition, technological change, future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this Release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.