Boston Scientific Launches Third-Generation Platinum Chromium Drug-Eluting Stent

TAXUS(R) Element(TM) Stent now available in select markets worldwide

NATICK, Mass., May 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation
(NYSE: BSX) today announced the launch of the platinum chromium TAXUS(R)
Element(TM) Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System in select markets
worldwide. The TAXUS Element Stent features a new platinum chromium alloy
engineered specifically for coronary stent applications and represents the
Company's third-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) technology.
The Element Stent series consists of three distinct versions: the
Paclitaxel-Eluting TAXUS Element Stent, the Everolimus-Eluting PROMUS(R)
Element(TM) Stent and the bare-metal Element Stent(1). All three versions of
the Element Stent are built on the advanced platinum chromium platform and are
designed to provide interventional cardiologists improved performance in
treating patients with complex coronary artery disease. The Company is
anticipating CE Mark approval for both the TAXUS Element Stent and the PROMUS
Element Stent Systems in the fourth quarter of this year.
The platinum chromium alloy used in the Element Stent System was engineered
specifically for coronary stenting, delivering both strength and flexibility.
The Element Stent System platform also features a new stent architecture with
thinner struts, increased flexibility and a lower profile, designed to improve
radial strength, recoil and angiographic visibility. Deliverability to
complex lesions is further enhanced through the incorporation of a new highly
deliverable dilatation catheter technology.
"It is particularly important to have a range of options when selecting the
right treatment for patients with challenging coronary lesions," said Dean J.
Kereiakes, M.D., Medical Director at The Christ Hospital Heart and Vascular
Center and The Lindner Research Center in Cincinnati, Ohio and a principal
investigator for the TAXUS PERSEUS clinical trial evaluating the TAXUS Element
Stent. "The Element Stent series is intended to provide a full range of DES
solutions for interventional cardiologists, giving them the option to treat
patients with a paclitaxel, everolimus or bare-metal stent. In my experience,
the TAXUS Element Stent is a highly deliverable and conformable platform that
has the potential to simplify complex procedures and improve outcomes."
"Our platinum chromium Element Stent series represents a significant leap
forward in drug-eluting stent innovation," said David McFaul, Boston
Scientific Senior Vice President, International. "This breakthrough
technology combines a new alloy designed for coronary stenting, an innovative
stent design and a new delivery system."
The TAXUS Element Stent System is currently being studied in the PERSEUS
clinical trial program, which compares the TAXUS Element Stent System to the
TAXUS(R) Express2(R) Stent System. The program includes the PERSEUS Workhorse
and the PERSEUS Small Vessel arms. Both have finished recruiting patients and
are estimated to be completed by the end of the year. The PROMUS Element
Stent System is currently being studied in the PLATINUM clinical trial
program, which compares the PROMUS Element Stent System to the PROMUS(R) Stent
System, and is actively enrolling patients in the U.S., Europe and Japan.
While the Element Stent platform represents Boston Scientific's
third-generation DES technology, the Company's fourth-generation DES is
currently under development. Initial clinical data were presented at the
Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics scientific symposium in 2008; global
pivotal trials are expected to begin in 2010. This DES employs the Labcoat
technology, which has an ultra thin biodegradable abluminal polymer that
delivers a very low dose of paclitaxel to the wall of the treated vessel, and
no polymer or drug on the inner surface of the stent. Integrating the Element
Stent architecture and a platinum chromium alloy with an optimized drug
release, the "Labcoat Element" Stent(2) is designed to deliver a powerful
combination of procedural and clinical performance.
In the United States, the TAXUS Element Stent and PROMUS Element Stent are
investigational devices and are limited by applicable law to investigational
use only and are not available for sale.
The PROMUS Stent is a private-labeled Xience V(R) Everolimus-Eluting Coronary
Stent System manufactured by Abbott and distributed by Boston Scientific.
Xience V is a trademark of the Abbott Laboratories group of companies.
Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of
medical devices whose products are used in a broad range of interventional
medical specialties. For more information, please visit:
www.bostonscientific.com.

(1) TAXUS(R) Element(TM) and PROMUS(R) Element(TM) Drug-Eluting Stent Systems
are CE mark pending; Element(TM) Bare-Metal Stent is under development. Not
available for sale in the EEA (European Economic Area), U.S. and Japan.

(2) "Labcoat Element" drug-eluting stent system is under development. Not
available for sale in the EEA, US and Japan.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking
statements may be identified by words like "anticipate," "expect," "project,"
"believe," "plan," "estimate," "intend" and similar words. These
forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates
using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be
guarantees of future events or performance. These forward-looking statements
include, among other things, statements regarding clinical trials, regulatory
approvals, competitive offerings and product performance. If our underlying
assumptions turn out to be incorrect, or if certain risks or uncertainties
materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and
projections expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These
factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other
factors) could affect our ability to implement our business strategy and may
cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the
statements expressed in this press release. As a result, readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking
statements.

Factors that may cause such differences include, among other things: future
economic, competitive, reimbursement and regulatory conditions; new product
introductions; demographic trends; intellectual property; litigation;
financial market conditions; and, future business decisions made by us and our
competitors. All of these factors are difficult or impossible to predict
accurately and many of them are beyond our control. For a further list and
description of these and other important risks and uncertainties that may
affect our future operations, see Part I, Item 1A - Risk Factors in our most
recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, which we may update in Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors in
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q we have filed or will file thereafter. We
disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or in
events, conditions, or circumstances on which those expectations may be based,
or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those
contained in the forward-looking statements. This cautionary statement is
applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.

CONTACT: Paul Donovan
508-650-8541 (office)
508-667-5165 (mobile)
Media Relations
Boston Scientific Corporation

Natacha Gassenbach (onsite at PCR)
508-250-9348 (mobile)
33 1 6 08 97 70 36 (mobile)
Media Relations
Boston Scientific Corporation

Larry Neumann
508-650-8696 (office)
Investor Relations
Boston Scientific Corporation

SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation

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Boston Scientific Corporation