Edwards Lifesciences Prevails in German Transcatheter Heart Valve Case Against Cook Medical

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - April 29, 2010) - Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW), the global leader in the science of heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring, announced today that the Federal Patent Court in Munich, Germany, has ruled in Edwards’ favor, finding Cook Inc.'s German transcatheter heart valve patent invalid. This follows a favorable ruling by the District Court of Düsseldorf in March 2009 that determined Edwards did not infringe the Cook patent, and victories on both validity and infringement in the courts of the United Kingdom in June 2009.

“We are pleased with the court’s finding, which reinforces the strength and foundational work of the Andersen invention,” said Larry L. Wood, Edwards’ corporate vice president, transcatheter valve replacement. “While we remain committed to protecting our comprehensive intellectual property in transcatheter heart valves, this represents only one important element of our broader leadership strategy to benefit patients.”

Cook filed suit in Germany in February 2008 claiming that the Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve infringes the Cook patent.

About Edwards Lifesciences
Edwards Lifesciences is the global leader in the science of heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring. Driven by a passion to help patients, the company partners with clinicians to develop innovative technologies in the areas of structural heart disease and critical care monitoring that enable them to save and enhance lives. Additional company information can be found at www.edwards.com.

Edwards is a trademark of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. Edwards Lifesciences, the stylized E logo and Edwards SAPIEN are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation and are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.