ABIOMED Gains FDA Approval for its New AB5000 Circulatory Support System Console.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

DANVERS, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2003

ABIOMED, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABMD) announced today that it has received FDA approval for commercial distribution of the Company's new AB5000(TM) Circulatory Support System drive and control console. The AB5000 Console will be on display for the first time at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Thoracic Surgeons (AATS) being held May 4, 5, and 6 in Boston, Massachusetts.

The AB5000 console will drive one or two BVS(R) 5000 blood pumps, either in the hospital or for transport of patients between hospitals. Incorporating a state-of-the-art electronic interface, the AB5000 is designed to improve the convenience and ease-of-use of the current BVS blood pump.

"The AB5000 Circulatory Support System Console is the cornerstone of ABIOMED's commitment to provide the highest quality technology to serve a broad spectrum of the circulatory support needs of critically ill patients," said Gene Rabe, ABIOMED's Senior Vice President for Sales and Services. "Our hospital customers and their patients will see immediate benefits in terms of improved convenience and ease-of-use of our current BVS blood pump. The AB5000 is also a state-of-the-art technology platform that will support a series of new heart assist disposable products currently under development at ABIOMED. We anticipate a very positive customer reception for this initiative, which is responsive to what our best and most frequent users have been telling us they want and need."

The first of ABIOMED's planned new single-use blood pumps is intended to provide improved quality of life and mobility for post-cardiotomy and other short-term bridge-to-recovery patients, and is currently under review at the FDA.

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. ABIOMED currently manufactures and sells the BVS, a heart assist device for the temporary support of all patients with failing but potentially recoverable hearts. The Company's AbioCor Implantable Replacement Heart is the subject of an initial clinical trial being 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.

This Release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding future product development activities. 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 development, testing and related regulatory approvals, anticipated future losses, complex manufacturing, high quality requirements, dependence on limited sources of supply, competition, technological change, government regulation, 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.