Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Prevails on Validity and Infringement in UK Patent Case Against Cook Incorporated

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - June 12, 2009) - Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW), the world leader in the science of heart valves, announced today that the United Kingdom High Court of Justice has determined that Cook Inc.'s UK transcatheter valve patent is invalid and not infringed by the Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter valve.

"We are gratified that the UK court has found Cook's patent invalid and has agreed with a German court decision that Edwards does not infringe the Cook patent," said Larry L. Wood, Edwards' corporate vice president, transcatheter valve replacement. "We remain committed to protecting our comprehensive intellectual property in transcatheter heart valves, which represents one important element of our broader leadership strategy."

As previously announced, the District Court of Düsseldorf, Germany, determined in March 2009 that Edwards does not infringe Cook's German patent. Edwards has a separate lawsuit claiming invalidity of Cook's German transcatheter valve patent, which is expected to be heard in Munich in 2010.

About Edwards Lifesciences

Edwards Lifesciences is the global leader in the science of heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring, with more than five decades of experience in partnering with clinicians to develop life-saving innovations. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Edwards treats advanced cardiovascular disease with its market-leading heart valve therapies, and critical care and vascular technologies, which are sold in approximately 100 countries. The company's global brands include Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, Edwards SAPIEN, FloTrac, Fogarty, PERIMOUNT Magna and Swan-Ganz. Additional company information can be found at http://www.edwards.com.

Edwards is a trademark of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation; Edwards Lifesciences, the stylized E logo, Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, Edwards SAPIEN, FloTrac, Fogarty, PERIMOUNT Magna and Swan-Ganz are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation and are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.