EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 18, 2004--SurModics, Inc. (Nasdaq:SRDX), a leading provider of surface modification and drug delivery solutions to the medical device industry, today announced that Bruce Barclay, SurModics' president and chief operating officer, has been appointed to its board of directors.

"Bruce has played a significant role in shaping the future of SurModics since he joined the company eight months ago," said Dale Olseth, chairman and chief executive officer. "We are delighted to welcome him to our board, and look forward to his contributions."

Barclay added, "The SurModics management team has achieved meaningful progress in executing our strategic plan and implementing a major corporate reorganization. These initiatives are yielding positive results and position us well for growth. I am honored to be given the opportunity to work more closely with such an experienced board of directors."

Barclay has more than 20 years of experience in the health care industry. Before joining SurModics, he served as Vascular Architects' president and chief executive officer. Prior to Vascular Architects, he was at Guidant Corporation, most recently as an officer and senior vice president; previously, he was a vice president of Guidant's interventional cardiology division. Barclay also brings a pharmaceutical background, gained while at Eli Lilly and Company. He holds two bachelor's degrees, in biology and chemistry, from Purdue University. He earned his law degree from Indiana University, and is a registered patent attorney.

Including Barclay, SurModics now has a total of ten directors on its board, six of whom are independent under NASDAQ rules.

About SurModics, Inc.

SurModics, Inc., a leading provider of surface modification and drug delivery solutions, licenses its patented technologies to medical device, diagnostics, and biotechnology companies around the world. A significant portion of SurModics' revenue is generated through royalties on the sale of coated products. SurModics' Internet address is www.surmodics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may be deemed to be forward-looking statements under federal securities laws, and SurModics intends that such forward looking statements be subject to the safe harbor created thereby. Factors that may cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements include those described in the "Risk Factors" and other sections of SurModics' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. SurModics does not undertake an obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT: SurModics, Inc., Eden Prairie
Phil Ankeny, 952-829-2700

SOURCE: SurModics, Inc.