HeartWare International Receives CE Mark Addendum, Expanding Label to Include All Patients at Risk of Death From Refractory, End-Stage Heart Failure

–Label Expansion Addresses Long-Term Support–

FRAMINGHAM, Massachusetts and SYDNEY, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HeartWare International, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTWR; ASX: HIN), a leading innovator of less invasive, miniaturized circulatory support technologies revolutionizing the treatment of advanced heart failure, today announced that it has received an expanded European label for long-term use of the HeartWare® Ventricular Assist System in all patients at risk of death from refractory, end-stage heart failure.

"This label extension is similar to the 'Destination Therapy' label in the United States, and having that designation now outside the U.S. provides our international customers with additional flexibility as they treat those patients who might not be eligible for heart transplantation," stated Doug Godshall, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "This new label reflects the positive long-term survival data from our international trial, as well as the longer utilization times of ventricular assist devices in Europe."

In 2009, HeartWare received CE Marking for use of the HeartWare® Ventricular Assist System in patients as a bridge to heart transplantation.  Today, more than 2,000 patients around the globe have been implanted with the HeartWare Ventricular Assist System.  Earlier this month, HeartWare reported 91 customer sites in 25 countries outside of the United States, in addition to 50 clinical sites within the U.S.

About HeartWare International

HeartWare International develops and manufactures miniaturized implantable heart pumps, or ventricular assist devices, to treat Class IIIB / IV patients suffering from advanced heart failure.  The HeartWare® Ventricular Assist System features the HVAD® pump, a small full-output circulatory support device (up to 10L/min flow) designed to be implanted next to the heart, avoiding the abdominal surgery generally required to implant competing devices.  HeartWare has received CE Marking for the HeartWare System in the European Union and TGA approval in Australia.  The device is currently the subject of United States clinical trials for two indications: bridge-to-transplant and destination therapy.  For additional information, please visit www.heartware.com.

HeartWare International, Inc. is a member of the Russell 2000® and its securities are publicly traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market and the Australian Securities Exchange.

HEARTWARE®, HVAD®, MVAD® and HeartWare logos are registered trademarks of HeartWare, Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's beliefs, assumptions and expectations and on information currently available to management.  All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including without limitation our expectations with respect to the timing and progress of, and presentation of data related to, clinical trials, expected timing of regulatory filings and approvals, and research and development activities. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made.  However, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they speak only as of the date when made.  HeartWare does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  HeartWare may not actually achieve the plans, projections or expectations disclosed in forward-looking statements, and actual results, developments or events could differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the possibility the FDA does not approve the marketing of the HeartWare® Ventricular Assist System in the U.S., and those described in Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We may update our risk factors from time to time in Part II, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, or other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For further information:
Christopher Taylor
HeartWare International, Inc.
Email: ctaylor@heartwareinc.com
Phone: +1-508-739-0864