ABIOMED wins $750,000 grant from NIH - to develop automatic probe for measurement of gum disease -.

DANVERS, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- November 4, 1996 -- ABIOMED, Inc. (pronounced "AB-EE-O-MED"), (NASDAQ:ABMD) today announced that it has received a three-year grant for approximately $750,000 from the National Institute of Dental Research to develop a periodontal probe capable of automatically measuring periodontal health parameters.

This award, which was granted under the SBIR Program, represents the second and final NIH-funded phase. In the initial phase of the study, ABIOMED demonstrated feasibility to measure and record multiple clinical parameters with a probe that mimics the visual observations made by clinicians. In the second pre-commercialization phase, which has just commenced, ABIOMED will construct hand-held prototypes and will conduct clinical studies to validate its performance, ease of use and reproducibility. These efforts will include design and implementation of features for optimizing clinical use. Once completed, the Company will seek to commercialize the product through ABIODENT, Inc., its wholly-owned dental subsidiary.

The Company's dental subsidiary estimates that the new probe could potentially be sold to the tens of thousands of practicing dentists in the U.S. who collectively see approximately 200 million patients annually for routine examination and treatment.

Upon receipt of the award, Dr. Robert B. Stewart, a Principal Staff Scientist and the Principal Investigator for the project, commented, "We are obviously very excited about this award. The grant will enhance a long-standing and close collaboration between ABIOMED and pioneering clinicians and scientists at the Forsyth Dental Center in Boston, one of the most prestigious dental research organizations in the world. This probe will add substantially to our vision to supplement our commercially available PerioTemp( product line with enhanced diagnostic capability for the dental health professionals."

Based in Danvers, Massachusetts, ABIOMED, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets innovative cardiovascular, medical and dental products and is a leader in the research and development of advanced artificial heart systems.

This News Release contains forward-looking information, including statements about plans for the development, clinical evaluation and planned commercialization of the periodontal probe. Actual results may differ materially based on a number of factors, including scientific results obtained during its development and during clinical trials, market acceptance of the product, and the accuracy of the Company's information about the market potential. Investors are cautioned that all such statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results, events or performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these 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 any forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date released or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

CONTACT: ABIOMED, Inc.,

John F. Thero, Chief Financial Officer

Kristin T. Hurley, Corporate Communications 

508/777-5410, Extension 622

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