Atherotech Names Leading High Tech Heart Disease Prevention Expert as Chief Medical Officer.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Atherotech, Inc., a pioneer in cardiodiagnostic technology, today announced that it has appointed James Ehrlich, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer. In his new role, Ehrlich, a veteran in the development of advanced coronary risk assessment centers in major metropolitan cities, will continue to educate the healthcare community and the public about the critical role of Atherotech's VAP [TM] Cholesterol Test in preventive cardiology.

Dr. Ehrlich succeeds Dr. Paul Ziajka, who served as the previous Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Ziajka is now returning to a full time focus on his Florida Lipid Institute as well as continuing his activities on the speaker's bureau of several major pharmaceutical companies.

David Schreiber, Atherotech's president and chief executive officer, said, "We welcome Dr. Ehrlich. He has developed high technology primary prevention programs that have introduced an astounding array of sophisticated and accurate imaging, physiologic and laboratory tests to physicians and their patients. We are confident that his impressive academic credentials, nationally recognized leadership traits and wide-ranging communication skills will accelerate acceptance of our VAP test as the laboratory centerpiece of cardiovascular preventive practices nationwide." Mr. Schreiber continued, "In addition, we thank Paul for his contributions and look forward to continuing a productive relationship with him."

"I am very proud to be associated with Atherotech and its exceedingly capable management team and employees," Dr. Ehrlich said. "The highly accurate VAP Test allows the clinician to target high risk patients for specific therapy that should prevent millions of future heart attacks and strokes. I am confident that the VAP Test will continue to be regarded as the best available and most cost-effective laboratory method to precisely identify vulnerable individuals who may be at risk for the nation's leading killer, cardiovascular disease."

Dr. Ehrlich, 54, brings an extraordinary range of skills and experience that will advance Atherotech's objectives by furthering the physician, managed care, consumer and research communities' acceptance of its VAP (Vertical Auto Profile) Cholesterol Test. He has been the medical director of advanced coronary risk assessment and prevention facilities in four U.S. cities and has been primarily involved in the early detection and assessment of coronary, stroke and cancer risk. As the head of the medical advisory board of U.S. Preventive Medicine and a co-founder of three prevention and imaging societies, Dr. Ehrlich has also taken a national leadership role in the identification and management of cardiovascular risk.

Prior to joining Atherotech, Dr. Ehrlich was the medical director of Colorado Heart and Body Imaging in Denver; Heart Check in Washington, D.C.; HeartScan Houston; and HeartScan Indiana in Indianapolis.

He is on the clinical faculty of two medical schools, the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (endocrine division) and The George Washington University Medical Center (department of medicine). His research and publications have focused primarily on the early accurate identification and monitoring of subclinical atherosclerosis in insulin-resistant states (diabetes, metabolic syndrome and HIV disease) by electron beam tomography. He also directs physician seminars on preventive medicine worldwide and has appeared on over 150 radio and TV broadcasts. Dr. Ehrlich is on the cardiovascular advisory panels for Pfizer and Genzyme and is on the speaker's bureau of numerous diagnostic and pharmaceutical corporations. Dr. Ehrlich holds a degree in medicine from Boston University (1976, magna cum laude).

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing more than one million people each year. Atherotech's VAP Cholesterol Test for patients at risk for cardiovascular disease helps clinicians improve the detection, evaluation, and treatment of patients at risk for heart disease. The test is available through national and regional diagnostic laboratories.

About Atherotech

Atherotech is a medical technology company focused on developing a comprehensive line of cardiodiagnostic products based on the company's proprietary VAP Test technology. The company is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.atherotech.com.