ABIOMED Statement On Setback Suffered by Robert Tools, First AbioCor Patient.

Business Editors and Health/Medical Writers

DANVERS, Mass.--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 14, 2001

ABIOMED, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABMD), developers of the AbioCor(TM) Implantable Replacement Heart, today issued the following statement by Dr. David M. Lederman, Chief Executive Officer, concerning the status of Robert Tools, who suffered a serious stroke on Sunday, November 11:

"The thoughts and hopes of every ABIOMED employee are with Bob Tools and his family as he confronts this new challenge. If fighting spirit can make a difference, we know that Bob will make the fullest possible recovery.

Currently there is insufficient information to determine the precise cause of the thrombo-embolic event that appears to have caused Mr. Tools' stroke. ABIOMED technical personnel are working closely with the clinical team at Jewish Hospital to determine what factors may have contributed to this event, and therefore how such potential events might be prevented in the future. It is noteworthy that, because of persistent gastrointestinal bleeding episodes due to his pre-implant condition, it has proved impossible during extended periods since his implant to provide Mr. Tools with the anticoagulation regimen called for in the AbioCor clinical trial protocol. Anticoagulation is one important area of inquiry, but we will be looking at numerous other variables as well, in order to fully understand what has occurred.

In addition to working with clinicians at Jewish Hospital, ABIOMED will also be communicating with the clinical teams at other AbioCor trial sites to share information as quickly as possible regarding the cause of Mr. Tools' stroke and any measures determined necessary to lessen the potential for such events in other AbioCor patients.

ABIOMED continues to monitor the functional performance of Mr. Tools' replacement heart. The AbioCor appears to be functioning well and Mr. Tools' blood flow remains satisfactory.

Finally, we do not anticipate that this setback for Mr. Tools will cause any interruption or delay in the progress of the AbioCor clinical trial. Having completed the initial five AbioCor implants, we expect to be authorized by the FDA to proceed. We believe that the cumulative record to date provides more than sufficient basis to continue the trial."

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 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, including statements regarding FDA authorization to continue to enroll patients in the AbioCor trial, and the anticipated timing and results of the clinical trials for the AbioCor. 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.