| DANVERS,
MA (June 15, 2005) – ABIOMED, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABMD) announced
today that Michael R. Minogue, President and Chief Executive Officer,
has assumed the additional position of Chairman of the Board of Directors.
ABIOMED also announced today that David M. Lederman has resigned
as Chairman of the Board of Directors and as a Director of ABIOMED.
David Lederman was the founder of ABIOMED. He created the Company
over 20 years ago to fulfill his dream of developing a totally implantable
artificial heart. Under his direction, ABIOMED developed the AbioCor,
the world’s first battery-powered fully implantable replacement
heart system, and other advanced medical products which have provided
short and long term support for thousands of cardiac patients.
“David’s passion and commitment to patients is a legacy
that will continue to inspire ABIOMED employees. It is an honor
and privilege to follow him as Chairman of the company,” commented
Minogue. ABIOMED has named its employee award and recognition program
after Dr. Lederman.
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, which currently sells the BVS® 5000 Biventricular
Support System and the AB5000™ Circulatory Support System,
is the market leader in devices for the temporary support of patients
with failing but potentially recoverable hearts. In September 2004,
ABIOMED applied for initial FDA market approval for the AbioCor®
Implantable Replacement Heart to treat a defined subset of irreversible
end-stage heart failure patients under a Humanitarian Device Exemption.
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.
###
Investor and Media Relations:
Javier Jimenez
VP Operations
(978) 646-1411 ir@abiomed.com
(978) 646-1419 mediarelations@abiomed.com
|