Re Agreement

Aortech International PLC
30 January 2002


AORTECH INTERNATIONAL PLC


New Licence and Supply Agreement Concluded for Elast-EonTM

AorTech International plc, the Scottish-based developer and manufacturer of
cardiovascular devices, announces that its Biomaterials Division has signed a
Research and Development and Option Agreement for the licensing and supply of
its Elast-EonTM materials with the Sunshine Heart Company Pty Ltd., an early
stage device company, based in Sydney, Australia.

Sunshine Heart will use Elast-EonTM to develop components for use in its
innovative device for assisting patients with congestive heart failure.  This
agreement follows one signed with Jomed A.G. for use of Elast-EonTM with stents
and demonstrates the versatility of the range of Elast-EonTM materials.

The Agreement provides for the payment of development and option fees and will
lead to milestone payments and royalties from worldwide sales, as the project 
is commercialised.

The range of Elast-EonTM materials, that were developed in Australia, have
widespread uses in medical technology as a result of their combination of
desirable characteristics.  The new polymers are bio-compatible, non-thrombotic,
durable and flexible, offering the possibility of being used in a wide range of
medical implantable devices.  The materials are also being used in AorTech's
Tri-Leaflet valve, presently in the regulatory stage of testing.

Eddie McDaid, AorTech's Managing Director stated:

'The entry of Elast-EonTM materials into the market for congestive heart failure
therapy creates new opportunities for AorTech's technology in a market estimated
to be worth several billion dollars a year.  This is a further step towards
Elast-EonTM being accepted as the material of choice for implants and we remain
confident that further agreements will be signed in the not too distant future.'

Dr William Peters, CEO of Sunshine Heart Company commented:

'Elast-EonTM represents the future of implantable biomaterials offering superior
biostability and durability.  This family of polymers will be ideal for the
production of the Sunshine Heart device and we are delighted to have agreement
in place with AorTech.  The Sunshine Heart device is well placed to capture the
emerging  'bridge to recovery' market for the treatment of congestive heart
failure.  The properties of the Elast-EonTM polymers and AorTech's processing
capability will significantly simplify the manufacture of the devices and
provide them with improved performance.'


30 January 2002


ENQUIRIES:

AorTech International plc                             Tel: [phone]
Eddie McDaid, Chief Executive

College Hill                                          Tel: [phone]
Michael Padley
Nicholas Nelson



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