Angiotech Partner receives FDA approval for clinical trial of its Liberte(TM) paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system Pivotal study will assess safety and efficacy of next-generation drug-eluting stent system VANCOUVER, July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANPI; TSX: ANP), today reported that its corporate partner, Boston Scientific Corp. announced today that it has received an Investigational Device Exemption from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin its ATLAS clinical trial. ATLAS is the first clinical trial using Boston Scientific's new Liberte coronary stent as a platform for its paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system. TAXUS(TM) Liberte will be the next generation to Boston Scientific's current paclitaxel-eluting stent system, TAXUS(TM) Express(2)(TM). The Liberte stent, which has been designed to further enhance deliverability and conformability, particularly in challenging lesions, is currently available in international markets in a bare metal version. Boston Scientific states that the ATLAS trial is a pivotal study to collect data to support regulatory filings for product commercialization. It is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of a slow-release dose formulation paclitaxel-eluting TAXUS Liberte stent system for the treatment of coronary artery disease. The trial is scheduled to enroll 822 patients at 60 sites in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan, as stated by Boston Scientific. "I have found the Liberte bare metal stent to be an excellent stent with superb conformability and deliverability," said Keith Dawkins, M.D., Consultant Cardiologist, Wessex Cardiothoracic Centre, Southampton University Hospital, Southampton, England. "I am looking forward to Boston Scientific's next-generation paclitaxel-eluting stent, which will use this platform." Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices whose products are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. Vancouver-based Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focusing on drug-coated medical devices and biomaterials, is dedicated to enhancing the performance of medical devices and biomaterials through the innovative uses of pharmacotherapeutics. To find out more about Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANPI; TSX: ANP), please visit our website at http://www.angiotech.com/. Statements contained herein that are not based on historical or current fact, including without limitation statements containing the words "anticipates," "believes," "may," "continue," "estimate," "expects" and "will" and words of similar import, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following: general economic and business conditions, both nationally and in the regions in which the Company operates; technology changes; competition; changes in business strategy or development plans; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; existing governmental regulations and changes in, or the failure to comply with, governmental regulations; liability and other claims asserted against the Company; and other factors referenced in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or the Canadian securities regulators. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statements. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact: Rui Avelar, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (604) 221-7676 ext 6996 Media: Eric Starkman, Starkman & Associates (212) 252-8545 ext 12 DATASOURCE: Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CONTACT: Rui Avelar, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (604) 221-7676 ext 6996; Media: Eric Starkman, Starkman & Associates, (212) 252-8545 ext 12

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