The fourth trial in the TAXUS™ drug-eluting stent program, TAXUS IV is a pivotal study designed to collect data to support regulatory filings for U.S. product commercialization. The prospective, randomized, double-blind trial is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of a slow-release dose formulation paclitaxel-eluting TAXUS stent system for the treatment of coronary restenosis. More than 1,000 patients are scheduled to be enrolled at up to 80 sites.

The TAXUS IV trial is using the Express™ stent, a laser-cut, balloon-expandable stent developed exclusively by Boston Scientific.

"Drug-eluting stents hold great promise to markedly reduce or eliminate restenosis, which occurs in up to one-third of patients," said Gregg Stone, M.D., the Principal Investigator for the TAXUS IV trial and the first physician to enroll a patient in the trial. "The implantation of the first polymer-based, paclitaxel-eluting stent in the U.S. is a major step on the road to a cure for symptomatic coronary artery disease." Dr. Stone is the Director of Cardiovascular Research and Education at the Cardiovascular Research and Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY.

"After my experience with the Express stent in the Boston Scientific VICTORY trial, I am excited to be part of this next development phase where the Express stent serves as a platform for local drug delivery," said David Cox, M.D., an interventional cardiologist at Mid-Carolina Cardiology, Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte, NC. "I am looking forward to the TAXUS IV trial, which will collect the critical data evaluating how controlled release of paclitaxel affects the long-term performance of stents." Dr. Cox also recently enrolled a patient in the TAXUS IV trial.

The TAXUS program is a series of clinical studies designed to collect data on Boston Scientific's proprietary paclitaxel-eluting stent technology for reducing coronary restenosis, the growth of scar tissue within an artery after angioplasty and stenting. Paclitaxel, the active component of the popular chemotherapeutic agent Taxol®, has demonstrated promising results in pre-clinical and clinical studies for reducing the processes leading to restenosis. The comprehensive TAXUS program positions Boston Scientific to launch paclitaxel-eluting stents in Europe this year and in the U.S. in 2003.

The TAXUS I trial confirmed safety and reported zero thrombosis and zero restenosis. The TAXUS II trial completed enrollment of 537 patients in January, and the patients are now in the follow-up period. Preliminary safety data from TAXUS II presented last month at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting provided further support for the safety of paclitaxel-eluting stents. The TAXUS III trial studied the treatment of in-stent restenosis and also confirmed safety with no thrombosis. The study reported encouraging efficacy data.

Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices. The Company's products are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. The Company wishes to caution the reader that actual results may differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and may be adversely affected by, among other things, risks associated with clinical trials, the regulatory approval process, physician acceptance of new products, competitive product offerings and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.