Boston Scientific Completes Combination With Guidant

Natick, Massachusetts (ots/PRNewswire) - Boston Scientific
Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today announced that it has completed its
combination with Guidant Corporation (NYSE: GDT), creating a global
leader in cardiovascular devices and one of the largest medical
technology companies in the world.

In a related transaction before the closing of the Boston
Scientific-Guidant transaction, Guidant and Abbott closed the
acquisition by Abbott of Guidant's vascular intervention and
endovascular businesses.

"This is a momentous day for the employees and stockholders of the
new Boston Scientific, as well as for thousands of physicians and
millions of patients around the world," said Pete Nicholas, Chairman
of Boston Scientific. "As we begin this new chapter in Boston
Scientific's history, we are committed to building on our long,
mutual tradition of technological innovation that helps physicians
provide life-saving treatments to their patients. We are also
committed to maintaining a culture that values initiative, creativity
and collaboration - and that recognises the talents and contributions
of people who make a difference for our company and our customers."

"We are looking forward to realising the substantial benefits of
combining Boston Scientific and Guidant," said Jim Tobin, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Boston Scientific. "The new Boston
Scientific will be a broadly diversified medical technology company
that we believe will command a market valuation closer to our peers
and generate significant upside potential for our stockholders. We
are confident the integration will proceed smoothly, and we extend a
warm welcome to the Guidant employees who are joining us. I know that
together we can and we will build a successful future."

Effective as of the close of trading today, trading in
Guidant's common stock will cease.

Guidant shareholders should expect to receive information in the
coming weeks regarding the exchange of their Guidant common stock.

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.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are
identified by words such as "anticipates", "believes", "estimates",
"expects", "intends", "may", "projects", "plans", "will" and similar
expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that may cause actual results to differ materially, including risk
factors relating to our industry as detailed from time to time in
each of Boston Scientific's and Guidant's reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including each such company's
most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. You should not place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of
the date of this press release. Unless legally required, Boston
Scientific undertakes no obligation to update publicly any
forward-looking statements herein, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.

ots Originaltext: Boston Scientific Corporation
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Geraldine Varoqui, Boston Scientific PR Manager International, Tel:
+49-2102-489-461, varoquig@bsci.com. Maren Koban, BSC press office,
Tel: +44-207-973-4497, Mobile: +44-7713-631514,
mkoban@hillandknowlton.com