"The European launch of TAXUS represents the achievement of a major milestone," said Jim Tobin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boston Scientific. "Several years worth of consistent results across a number of clinical trials have demonstrated that polymer-based delivery of paclitaxel is a safe and effective therapy for a broad spectrum of patients, including those with complex lesions. We are greatly encouraged by data that have reported very low restenosis rates and significant improvements for diabetic patients, and we are particularly encouraged by a lack of edge effect. In addition, the Express2™ coronary stent system offers excellent deliverability to the treatment site and outstanding conformability to the vessel wall."

The TAXUS product will use the Express2 coronary stent system as its platform. The Express2 system was launched in the United States in mid- September and has been very well received. Since then, Boston Scientific has approximately quadrupled its share of the U.S. stent market.

The TAXUS clinical program is a series of studies designed to collect data on Boston Scientific's proprietary polymer-based, paclitaxel-eluting stent technology for reducing coronary restenosis, the growth of neointimal tissue within an artery after angioplasty and stenting. Prior studies have demonstrated promising results by dramatically reducing restenosis. The proprietary polymer on the stent allows for controlled delivery of paclitaxel. Paclitaxel is a multi-functional microtubular inhibitor that controls platelets, smooth muscle cells and white blood cells, all of which are believed to contribute to restenosis. The Company initiated the TAXUS program in 1997.

The TAXUS I trial confirmed safety and reported zero thrombosis and zero restenosis. The TAXUS II trial studied the treatment of de novo coronary lesions and demonstrated both safety and efficacy using the slow- and moderate-release formulations. Significant improvements were seen for clinical, angiographic and intravascular measures of stent performance compared with the bare control stent. The TAXUS III trial, which studied the treatment of in-stent restenosis, confirmed safety and reported no thrombosis. The TAXUS IV trial has completed enrollment and nine-month follow-up is underway. This study is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of a slow- release formulation to support regulatory filings for U.S. product commercialization. The TAXUS V trial has received conditional approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to enroll patients and will study a higher risk patient population than TAXUS IV, including patients with smaller vessels and longer lesions. TAXUS VI is studying patients with complex coronary artery disease and recently completed enrollment. Boston Scientific has also initiated a transitional registry program (WISDOM) in a number of countries as part of a limited commercial launch of its TAXUS paclitaxel- eluting stent system. The TAXUS system is the subject of an Investigational Device Exemption and is not currently available for commercial distribution in the United States.

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.