GUIDANT ESTABLISHES PANEL TO REVIEW PRODUCT SAFETY

Guidant has announced the establishment of an outside panel to recommend changes to the company's product development policies for cardiac devices. The new Design for Reliability Team will assess the company's design and manufacturing processes for heart devices.

The panel will review the entire life cycle of product development, from initial concept planning to full production release in the manufacturing phase. The team first met in October and is expected to submit its findings in six months.

"Guidant has a long history of pioneering innovation while simultaneously assuring high-quality product systems. The company is committed to help physicians treat their patients with leading technology and high reliability," said Fred McCoy, president, Cardiac of Rhythm Management at Guidant.

Guidant is facing legal troubles stemming from the company's handling of problems with its implantable cardioverter defibrillators. That dispute led Johnson & Johnson to reconsider a $25.4 billion deal to purchase the company. Guidant recently sued to force the merger.

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