| Danvers,
Mass., January 9, 2005—ABIOMED, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABMD),
a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical products
designed to assist or replace the pumping function of the failing
heart, is pleased to announce that Dorothy E. Puhy, who has served
as Director of ABIOMED and chair of its Audit Committee since 2003
has been appointed to Lead Director of its Board. As Lead Director,
Ms. Puhy will have increased responsibilities with regard to setting
strategic goals, working with the Chairman of the Board and organizing
sessions with the independent Directors.
Ms. Puhy is currently Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Assistant Treasurer for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Ms. Puhy has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Dana-Farber
since 1994 and has served as its Assistant Treasurer since 1995.
From 1985 to 1994 Ms. Puhy held various financial positions at the
New England Medical Center Hospitals, Inc., including Chief Financial
Officer from 1989 to 1994. Ms. Puhy is also Director and chair of
the Audit Committee of Reebok International Ltd. Ms. Puhy received
her bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania
and her business degree from the Wharton School.
"Dorothy has provided great service to ABIOMED and for that
we are very fortunate," said Michael R. Minogue, Chairman,
CEO and President of ABIOMED. "She is well-recognized for
her financial expertise and we look forward to continuing to work
with her for years to come."
ABOUT ABIOMED
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 AB5000™
Circulatory Support System and the BVS® 5000 Biventricular Support
System for the temporary support of all patients with failing but
potentially recoverable hearts. In Europe, ABIOMED offers the Impella®
Recover™ minimally invasive cardiovascular support systems
under CE Mark approval. The Company's AbioCor® Implantable
Replacement Heart was the subject of an initial clinical trial 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. For additional information please visit:
www.abiomed.com.
Contacts:
Liza Heapes
ABIOMED, INC.
Communications Specialist
(978) 646-1668
mediarelations@abiomed.com
Investor Relations Contact:
Melody Carey
Rx Communications Group, LLC
(917) 322-2571
mcarey@rxir.com
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Release contains forward-looking statements, including statements
regarding development of ABIOMED's existing and new products,
the Company's progress toward commercial growth, and future
opportunities. The Company'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 and challenges detailed
in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including the Annual Report filed on Form 10-K. 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.
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