Thoratec and HeartWare Receive Request for Additional Information From Federal Trade ...( PLEASANTON Calif. FRAMINGHAM Mass. ...),Health

PLEASANTON, Calif., FRAMINGHAM, Mass. and SYDNEY, Australia, March 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Thoratec Corporation (Nasdaq: THOR), a leader in device-based mechanical circulatory support therapies to save, support and restore failing hearts, and HeartWare International, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTWR; ASX: HIN), which develops and manufactures miniaturized implantable heart pumps, announced today that they each received a Request for Additional Information, or a "second request," from the United States Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") in connection with the FTC's review of Thoratec's proposed acquisition of HeartWare International under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the "Act"). This second request from the FTC is a standard part of the full regulatory process.

The transaction, which was announced on February 13, 2009, is subject to approval of HeartWare's stockholders and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, including expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Act. The effect of the second request is to extend the waiting period imposed by the Act until thirty days after Thoratec and HeartWare have substantially complied with the second request, unless that period is extended voluntarily by the parties or terminated sooner by the FTC. The companies are gathering information to respond promptly to the second request and are cooperating fully with the FTC in connection with its review. Both companies expect the transaction to close in the second half of 2009.

About Thoratec Corporation

Thoratec is a leader in therapies to address advanced-stage heart failure. The company's product lines include the Thoratec(R) VAD (Ventricular Assist Device) and HeartMate(R
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