The elective arm was a prospective, multi-center evaluation involving 303 patients with a primary endpoint of six-month MACE (Major Adverse Cardiac Events; including death, myocardial infarction and revascularization). The purpose of the study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the Express stent in elective stenting of de novo and restenotic native coronary arteries compared with an historical control. Unadjusted intent-to-treat six-month MACE rates for VICTORY and the control arm were 9 percent and 12 percent respectively. In addition, six-month restenosis rates of 19 percent and 24 percent for VICTORY and the control arm respectively were also reported as assessed by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA).

The AC/TAC arm was a prospective, multi-center evaluation involving 147 patients with a primary endpoint of 14-day MACE. The purpose of the study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the Express stent in AC/TAC patients compared with an objective performance criterion. The AC/TAC arm's 14-day MACE rate of 3 percent demonstrated the stent's superiority to the criterion.

The Express stent -- developed exclusively by Boston Scientific -- is a laser-cut balloon-expandable stent that features a design concept called Tandem™ Architecture. Tandem Architecture integrates short, thin Micro™ elements designed for flexibility and conformability with long, wide Macro™ elements designed to enhance radiopacity.

Boston Scientific recently announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of its Express2™ Coronary Stent System which uses the same Express stent design mounted on Maverick® balloon catheter technology. This technology features a laser-bonded flexible tip with a long, low profile designed for easier tracking. The Bioslide® hydrophilic coating is designed to reduce friction while the proprietary Crimp 360™ technology secures the stent to the balloon.

"The VICTORY trial results -- coupled with the recent FDA approval of our Express2 stent -- are additional evidence of Boston Scientific's commitment to providing innovative treatment solutions for cardiovascular disease," said Paul LaViolette, Boston Scientific Senior Vice President and Group President, Cardiovascular. "We have a long history of providing the tools clinicians need for improved patient outcomes and the Express stent design is the latest chapter."

Express stent technology has potential for future use in a broad range of applications that may include peripheral vascular and neurovascular applications in addition to coronary applications. The Company also plans to use the Express2 stent system as the platform for its TAXUS drug-eluting stent program.

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 of this press release 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 new product development and commercialization, clinical trials, intellectual property, regulatory approvals, competitive offerings, the Company's overall business strategy, and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.