Exhibit 99.1

INVESTOR CONTACT:
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Edward E. Berger, Ph.D.
Vice President for Strategic Planning and Policy
IR Assistant: Christine DeLuca
(978) 646-1411
ir@abiomed.com

MEDIA CONTACT:
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Sara J. Goldstein
Corporate Communications Specialist
(978) 646-1419


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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                 ABIOMED ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION OF JOHN F. THERO


         Danvers, MA, January 9, 2003 - ABIOMED, Inc (NASDAQ:ABMD) announced
today the resignation of John F. Thero, its Chief Financial Officer, who has
decided to pursue a venture-backed opportunity.

         "John Thero served ABIOMED well for more than eight years as CFO and as
a member of our senior management team," said ABIOMED's Chief Executive Officer
Dr. David M. Lederman. "We thank him for his contributions and wish him well in
his new and future endeavors."

         ABIOMED's Controller, Charles B. Haaser, will serve as Acting Chief
Financial Officer until a new CFO is named. Dr. Edward E. Berger, Vice President
for Strategic Planning and Policy, will assume interim responsibility for
Investor Relations.

         Based in Danvers, Massachusetts, ABIOMED, Inc. (pronounced
"AB'-EE-O-MED") is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical
products designed to assist or replace the pumping function of the failing
heart. The Company's AbioCor(R) Implantable Replacement Heart is part of an
ongoing initial clinical trial conducted under an Investigational Device
Exemption from the United States Food and Drug Administration. The AbioCor
has not been approved for commercial distribution, and is not available for
use or sale outside of the initial clinical trial. ABIOMED currently
manufactures and sells the BVS(R), a heart assist device for the temporary
support of all patients with failing but potentially recoverable hearts.

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