Press Release:

TUCSON, Ariz. – Nov. 3, 2005 – SynCardia Systems, Inc., a privately held developer of biomechanical cardiac replacement and mechanical circulatory support devices, has been awarded the Frost & Sullivan 2005 Entrepreneurial Company of the Year Award in the cardiovascular medical device market. The Award recognizes the company that has demonstrated superior entrepreneurial ability in its industry and signifies the company’s identification of a unique and revolutionary product solution with significant market potential. The Award commends SynCardia Systems, Inc. for its revolutionary CardioWest™ temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t).

The CardioWest™ TAH-t is the only FDA approved device capable of providing full circulatory restoration in morbidly ill patients with irreversible bi-ventricular failure, ultimately bridging them to transplantation when a donor heart becomes available.

The CardioWest™ TAH-t completely replaces the patient’s diseased heart and immediately restores normal blood pressure and cardiac output, facilitating recovery of end-organ function, such as the kidney and liver. As a result, patients recover and become healthier candidates for transplantation. The device is being used in heart transplant centers in the United States and Europe.

“SynCardia has changed the landscape of end-stage heart disease, allowing patients awaiting transplant to lead a better quality of life,” said Research Analyst Dr. Mansi Kothari. “The imminent growth of SynCardia is also evident in the keen interest of private funding sources it has attracted as well as the significant amount of interest it has generated in the investment community. SynCardia is definitely making waves.”

The Award recognizes that the strength of SynCardia lies also in the impeccable credentials of its leaders. With over 17 years of experience, Marvin J. Slepian MD, Founder, Founding CEO, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Scientific Officer, is a recognized leader in the field of Interventional Cardiology and has authored several papers on the artificial heart. A veteran entrepreneur, Dr. Slepian has founded and served on the board of several medical device companies, holds a multitude of patents, and has raised over $100 million in various ventures in the past. The current CEO Rodger G. Ford is also President of Anthem Equity Group, Inc., a Tucson real estate and business development company. Mr. Ford founded AlphaGraphics Printshops of the Future in 1970 and grew AlphaGraphics Printshops of the Future to 400 locations in 20 countries by 1998. AlphaGraphics was the first franchisor in the world to open a location in the Soviet Union (Moscow) and the first franchisor in the world to open a location in China (Beijing).

“SynCardia’s vision to be the front-piece of end stage heart failure is backed by a fantastic technology that addresses unmet needs, ambitious yet achievable goals, and an immensely talented and experienced upper management team,” concludes Dr. Kothari. “With these elements, SynCardia is set to become an undisputed leader in the field of cardiac replacement devices.”

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About the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart
SynCardia Systems, Inc. (Tucson, AZ) is the privately-held manufacturer of the world's first and only FDA, Health Canada and CE approved Total Artificial Heart. Originally used as a permanent replacement heart, SynCardia's Total Artificial Heart is currently approved as a bridge to transplant for people dying from end-stage biventricular heart failure. There have been more than 950 implants of the Total Artificial Heart, accounting for more than 230 patient years of life.

Similar to a heart transplant, SynCardia's Total Artificial Heart replaces both failing heart ventricles and the four heart valves, eliminating the symptoms and source of end-stage biventricular failure. Unlike a donor heart, the Total Artificial Heart is immediately available at SynCardia Certified Centers and does not require expensive anti-rejection medication, which can cause subsequent complications. It is the only device that provides immediate, safe blood flow of up to 9.5 liters per minute through both ventricles. This high volume of safe blood flow helps speed the recovery of vital organs, helping make the patient a better transplant candidate.

SynCardia Ranked #20 Among World's 50 Most Innovative Companies
In March 2011, Fast Company magazine ranked SynCardia #20 in its annual list of the "World's 50 Most Innovative Companies" for "giving mobility to artificial heart recipients." Weighing 13.5 pounds, SynCardia's Freedom® portable driver is the world's first wearable driver designed to power the Total Artificial Heart both inside and outside the hospital. The Freedom driver is CE approved for use in Europe and undergoing an FDA-approved Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) clinical study in the U.S.

For additional information, please visit: http://www.syncardia.com
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Media Contact:
Don Isaacs
Vice President of Communications
SynCardia Systems, Inc.
Cell: (520) 955-0660