Equity Offering Update

Aortech International PLC
7 March 2001

Not for release, publication or distribution in, or into, the United States,
Australia, Canada or Japan or to US persons.


                          AORTECH INTERNATIONAL PLC


                            Equity Offering Update


Further to the announcement made by AorTech International plc ('AorTech' or
the 'Company'), on 12 February 2001 of its intention to raise equity capital
through an Open Offer and an International Offering, the Board today announces
that, in light of current market conditions, the Company will not proceed with
an equity offering at this time. The Board also announces that it will not
proceed with its proposed move to the Official List at this time.




The Company is in a position to finance its current business plan. In
addition, the Company will be exploring alternative sources of financing to
secure its long-term growth plans, and will keep equity market conditions
under review.


The EGM convened for 10am on Wednesday, 7 February 2001 will take place,
although resolutions relating to the Open Offer and the International Offering
will not be proposed. However, resolutions concerning a share option scheme
for US employees, amendments to certain provisions of the Company's approved
and unapproved share option plans and to the Articles of Association will be
put to the meeting.


Eddie McDaid, Chief Executive Officer, commented:


'Given the positive response from existing shareholders and the interest shown
from institutional investors in the UK, Continental Europe and the US, we are
clearly disappointed with current market conditions. The Directors and I have
decided that given the tremendous potential of AorTech's technologies, it is
not in the interests of existing shareholders to issue equity at these levels.
The Company will remain focused on achieving its sales targets for truCCOMS
and commercialising its new synthetic Tri-leaflet heart valve and its
Elast-Eon biomaterials.'


                                                                  7 March 2001

ENQUIRIES:
AorTech International plc                         Tel: [phone]
Edward McDaid, Chief Executive Officer

Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited        Tel: [phone]
Alex Northcott

College Hill                                      Tel: [phone]
Michael Padley / Nicholas Nelson