Guidant to Directly Distribute Vascular Intervention Products in Japan

Business Wire, Jan 28, 1998

INDIANAPOLIS--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 28, 1998--Guidant Corporation (NYSE:GDT)(PCX:GDT) announced that it will assume responsibility for the direct sales and distribution of its vascular intervention products in Japan, effective July 1, 1998. Currently, Guidant distributes its vascular intervention products through Getz Bros. Co., Ltd.

Guidant's vascular intervention business is comprised of stents, balloon dilatation catheters, guide wires, atherectomy catheters and accessories.

"Guidant is committed to providing innovative, therapeutic medical solutions of distinct value for customers, patients and health care systems around the world," commented Ron Dollens, president and CEO of Guidant. "This change is made in accordance with both this mission and the strategy to increase our global presence to create value-added opportunities worldwide."

Fred McCoy, president of Guidant Japan K.K., commented, "this step completes the process begun in 1995 when Guidant took over responsibility for the development, registration, marketing, promotion and inventory ownership of our vascular intervention products in Japan. We have distributed our cardiac rhythm management products directly in Japan since 1981, and this change will provide us the opportunity to leverage both our cardiac rhythm management business and vascular intervention business to better serve our customers."

"Through increased contact with our customers, Guidant will gain a greater understanding of customer needs and therefore will be better able to design, develop, and market products that fulfill those needs," continued McCoy. "The combination of our improving and expanding product line, such as the ACS MULTI-LINK(R) Coronary Stent System, and the focus of a dedicated sales and marketing organization, will enable us to maintain a leadership position in providing products and services for the treatment of coronary artery disease."

In a related announcement, Guidant today reported that it has received formal approval from the Japan Ministry of Health and Welfare for reimbursement of the ACS MULTI-LINK(R) Coronary Stent System. The company received approval for use of the ACS MULTI-LINK Coronary Stent System from the ministry on June 9, 1997.

A global leader in the medical device industry, Guidant provides innovative, minimally invasive and cost-effective products and services for the treatment of cardiovascular and vascular disease. For more information about Guidant's products and services, visit the company's Web site at http://www.guidant.com.

CONTACT: Guidant Corporation

Investor Relations: Todd McKinney, 317/971-2094

Media Relations: Marie Weller, 317/971-2042