OAKLAND, Calif., June 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- World Heart Corporation (WorldHeart) , a global technology leader in mechanical circulatory support systems, today announced recent awards and recognition given to the company and its product portfolio by an industry publication and by peers from industry, academia and hospitals.
The June 2006 issue of Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry, a widely read industry publication, features WorldHeart in its cover story on "50 Companies to Watch," representing the best the medical device industry has to offer. Companies were selected that "represent everything that's good about the industry, who are making an outstanding contribution to healthcare and are expected to continue doing so." The recognition cited "WorldHeart's cutting-edge mechanical circulatory support technology."
In further recognition, WorldHeart's technology, products and related clinical results were described in nine separate presentations made at the recently concluded American Society of Artificial Internal Organs (ASAIO) 52nd Annual Conference in Chicago. One of these presentations on the Novacor II describing its design evolution, by Mr. Phil Miller of WorldHeart, was deemed Outstanding Presentation within its moderated poster session.
In addition, WorldHeart's Rotary Ventricular Assist Device (VAD), developed in the Company's Salt Lake City facility, was honored as "most innovative medical device" in the 2006 Stoel Rives Utah Innovation Awards. The awards program is sponsored by Wasatch Digital iQ magazine, the Utah Engineering Experiment Station at the University of Utah, the Utah Technology Council and the Wayne Brown Institute. Details about the awards program can be found at www.stoel.com/innovation.
Dr. James Long, who is a member of WorldHeart's RELIANT Trial Clinical Executive Committee, said, "Mechanical circulatory support systems are of great interest to clinicians who need new therapies to address the expanding number of heart failure cases around the world. It is encouraging to know that WorldHeart is committed to address this need."
WorldHeart's Pulsatile and Rotary Solutions for Heart Failure Patients
More than 550,000 new cases of heart failure will be diagnosed in the United States in the next twelve months, according to the American Heart Association. Heart failure affects nearly five million Americans of all ages. WorldHeart's strategy is to provide the most reliable, long-term mechanical circulatory support to the broadest population of heart failure patients. WorldHeart has commercialized a pulsatile VAD and is developing both next-generation pulsatile VADs, which mimic the action of the natural heart, and continuous flow rotary VADs.
"We believe that our field needs both pulsatile and rotary pumps to meet the differing needs of end-stage and late-stage heart failure patients. Our strategy recognizes that no single technology fits all patients," said Jal S. Jassawalla. "Our product portfolio, including commercial and developmental products, we believe positions us very well to address the full spectrum of heart failure patients requiring long-term support."
About World Heart Corporation
WorldHeart is a global technology leader in mechanical circulatory support systems, dedicated to working with physicians to provide reliable, long-term mechanical circulatory support products and services to the broadest patient population through technology, leadership and innovation. The company is headquartered in Oakland, California, with additional facilities in Salt Lake City, Utah and in Heesch, Netherlands. WorldHeart's registered office is Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Any forward-looking statements in this release, including those about the breadth of the Company's product platform, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties, including without limitation: risks in product development and market acceptance of and demand for the Company's products; possible delays in successfully completing preclinical testing and planned clinical trials; and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2005 and its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB.
World Heart CorporationCONTACT: Mr. Richard Juelis, +1-510-563-4713, or Ms. Peggy Allman,+1-510-563-4721, both of World Heart Corporation
Web site: http://www.worldheart.com//
