SynCardia Systems, Inc. Earns Frost & Sullivan Entrepreneurial Company of the Year Award for CardioWest(TM) temporary Total Artificial Heart

November 4, 2005

SynCardia Systems, Inc., a privately held developer of biomechanical cardiac replacement and mechanical circulatory support devices, has been awarded the Frost & Sullivan 2005 Entrepreneurial Company of the Year Award in the cardiovascular medical device market. The Award recognizes the company that has demonstrated superior entrepreneurial ability in its industry and signifies the company's identification of a unique and revolutionary product solution with significant market potential. The Award commends SynCardia Systems, Inc. for its revolutionary CardioWest(TM) temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t).

The CardioWest(TM) TAH-t is the only FDA approved device capable of providing full circulatory restoration in morbidly ill patients with irreversible bi-ventricular failure, ultimately bridging them to transplantation when a donor heart becomes available.

The CardioWest(TM) TAH-t completely replaces the patient's diseased heart and immediately restores normal blood pressure and cardiac output, facilitating recovery of end-organ function, such as the kidney and liver. As a result, patients recover and become healthier candidates for transplantation. The device is being used in heart transplant centers in the United States and Europe.

"SynCardia has changed the landscape of end-stage heart disease, allowing patients awaiting transplant to lead a better quality of life," said Research Analyst Dr. Mansi Kothari. "The imminent growth of SynCardia is also evident in the keen interest of private funding sources it has attracted as well as the significant amount of interest it has generated in the investment community. SynCardia is definitely making waves."

The Award recognizes that the strength of SynCardia lies also in the impeccable credentials of its leaders. With over 17 years of experience, Marvin J. Slepian MD, Founder, Founding CEO, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Scientific Officer, is a recognized leader in the field of Interventional Cardiology and has authored several papers on the artificial heart. A veteran entrepreneur, Dr. Slepian has founded and served on the board of several medical device companies, holds a multitude of patents, and has raised over $100 million in various ventures in the past. The current CEO Rodger G. Ford is also President of Anthem Equity Group, Inc., a Tucson real estate and business development company. Mr. Ford founded AlphaGraphics Printshops of the Future in 1970 and grew AlphaGraphics Printshops of the Future to 400 locations in 20 countries by 1998. AlphaGraphics was the first franchisor in the world to open a location in the Soviet Union (Moscow) and the first franchisor in the world to open a location in China (Beijing).

"SynCardia's vision to be the front-piece of end stage heart failure is backed by a fantastic technology that addresses unmet needs, ambitious yet achievable goals, and an immensely talented and experienced upper management team," concludes Dr. Kothari. "With these elements, SynCardia is set to become an undisputed leader in the field of cardiac replacement devices."

About the CardioWest(TM) temporary Total Artificial Heart

The CardioWest(TM) TAH-t is a pneumatic, biventricular, implantable bridge-to-transplant system for full cardiac replacement, taking the place of the failing heart in patients at imminent risk of death. The device offers full circulatory support, the shortest blood path and exposure to artificial surfaces, and the highest level of cardiac output when compared with other artificial heart systems previously tested. With the CardioWest(TM) TAH-t, patients become better candidates for eventual transplantation and have post-transplant survival rates equal to that of non-device cardiac recipients.

About SynCardia Systems

Founded in 2001, SynCardia Systems is the developer of biomechanical cardiac replacement and assist devices. Its CardioWest(TM) temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t) is designed for severely ill patients with end-stage congestive heart failure. The device serves as an in-hospital bridge-to-transplantation for patients at imminent risk of death. SynCardia Systems is based in Tucson, Arizona and is on the Web at http://www.syncardia.com.

CONTACT:

• Schwartz Communications
• Lauren Arnold or Erin Walsh, 781-684-0770
• syncardia@schwartz-pr.com

or

• SynCardia Systems, Inc.
• Glenn A. McCreedy, 520-545-1234, ext. 124
• gmccreedy@syncardia.com

or

• SynCardia Systems, Inc.
• Marvin J. Slepian, MD, 520-661-8241
• slepian@syncardia.com

Copyright © 2004 Genetic Engineering News.

This article posted November 27, 2005.