( SPIRIT FIRST follow-up analysis shows n...)SPIRIT Clinical Data Reaffirm Strength of Taxus and Promus,Drug-Eluting Coronary Stent Systems,Health

NATICK, Mass. and BARCELONA, Spain, May 22, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation today welcomed the results of additional data from the SPIRIT FIRST, II and III Clinical Trials, reaffirming prior safety and efficacy data for the market-leading TAXUS(R) Express2(TM) Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System and XIENCE(TM) V (PROMUS(TM)) Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System. The PROMUS Stent is a private- labeled XIENCE(TM) V Stent, manufactured by Abbott and distributed by Boston Scientific. Boston Scientific is the only company to offer the choice of two distinct drug-eluting stent platforms.

The data were presented by Gregg W. Stone, M.D., Chairman and Chief Medical Officer of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation, Medical Center, New York City, at the annual Paris Course on Revascularization (EuroPCR) in Barcelona.

The SPIRIT FIRST three-year clinical follow-up results provided further support for the safety and efficacy of the XIENCE V (PROMUS) Stent, with no additional MACE since one-year follow up. In addition, no acute, sub-acute or late stent thrombosis was seen in either the XIENCE V (PROMUS) or BMS control group through three years.

Dr. Stone's presentation also included results of a pooled analysis of previously reported SPIRIT II and III data, where stent thrombosis rates were shown to be very low for both stents (0.45 percent for the XIENCE V (PROMUS) Stent and 0.25 percent for the TAXUS Stent, p=0.59).

"It is reassuring to see that both stents performed exceptionally well in the SPIRIT Clinical Trials on multiple safety measures including stent thrombosis," said Jeff Goodman, President of International for Boston Scientific. "The data for these two drug-eluting stent platforms continue to reinforce Boston Scientific's leadership position in drug-eluting stent tech
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