ANPI Angiotech Pharmaceuticals - Common Shares (MM)

FDA approves extension of expiration date for TAXUS(TM) Express2(TM) paclitaxel-eluting stent system to nine months Decision adds three months to current U.S. shelf life of product VANCOUVER, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANPINASDAQ:TSX:NASDAQ:ANP) corporate partner, Boston Scientific, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved extending the shelf life of its TAXUS Express2 paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system in the United States to nine months from the current shelf life of six months. The decision was based on data submitted by Boston Scientific to the FDA that demonstrated the performance of the TAXUS system - in particular the drug content, drug degradation profile, and drug-release mechanism - was maintained within FDA- approved specifications at nine months. The extended expiration date applies to all sizes of the TAXUS system for sale in the United States. Boston Scientific said it would immediately begin updating labels to reflect the nine-month expiration date. The shelf life for the TAXUS system outside the United States remains unchanged at 18 months. 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:ANPINASDAQ:TSX:NASDAQ: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," "may" 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. CONTACTS: Todd Young, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals (Analysts & Investors) (604) 221-7676 ext 6933 Rui Avelar, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Analysts) (604) 221-7676 ext 6996 Eric Starkman, Starkman & Associates (Media) (212) 252-8545 ext 12 DATASOURCE: Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CONTACT: Todd Young, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals (Analysts & Investors) (604) 221-7676 ext 6933; Rui Avelar, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Analysts) (604) 221-7676 ext 6996; Eric Starkman, Starkman & Associates (Media) (212) 252-8545 ext 12

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