First Two AbioCor Patients Continue to Recover.

Business/Technology Editors & Health/Medical Writers

DANVERS, Mass.--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 19, 2001

ABIOMED, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABMD) alerts investors that Jewish Hospital and the University of Louisville today announced an update on the status of the first two patients to receive ABIOMED's AbioCor Implantable Replacement Heart. In that announcement, the medical team reported that that they remain encouraged by the continuing progress shown by both patients, Mr. Robert Tools and Mr. Tom Christerson.

Consistent with previously announced ABIOMED policy for the AbioCor initial clinical trial, additional information about the patients will be made available when the clinical team deems it to be clinically significant or a patient's family deems it to be appropriate.

Concurrent with this alert, ABIOMED stated that it expects, consistent with its plan that at least five patients will be implanted with the AbioCor before the end of 2001. In addition, ABIOMED management reiterated to investors that it has over $80 million in cash and short-term investments which, together with the Company's other resources, are deemed to be sufficient to meet the needs of the Company's operations for the foreseeable future.

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 the anticipated timing and results of clinical trials for the AbioCor and adequacy of financial resources. 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.