CARMAT completes assembly of first artificial heart clinical version

• Achievement of a key milestone announced at the time of the company's successful IPO on NYSE Alternext in July 2010
• These devices will be used for the first-in-man clinical trials scheduled for 2011

CARMAT (Paris:ALCAR), the designer and developer of the world's most advanced artificial heart, today announced that it has completed the assembly of the first clinical version of its artificial heart (to be implanted in humans during clinical trials scheduled for 2011). The devices were assembled in CARMAT's cleanroom facilities (inaugurated in October 2009).

CARMAT CEO Marcello Conviti commented: "Reaching this key milestone - production of the artificial hearts that will be used in the clinical studies scheduled for 2011 - confirms that we are following the roadmap announced at the time of our IPO. We have achieved these objectives within two years of incorporation and just one year after inaugurating our cleanroom. CARMAT is continuing to implement its strategy for delivering the world's most advanced artificial heart."

The development of complex bioprotheses is one of the most promising new approaches in medicine. CARMAT embodies the exploitation of research excellence and the convergence of several cutting-edge technologies. The company is now addressing a major challenge in public health with a very significant socio-economic impact.