ABIOMED INC
10-K, 1996-06-24
COMMERCIAL PHYSICAL & BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
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<PAGE>
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, DC  20549

                                   FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
  X  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
 --- SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [FEE REQUIRED]

                      For fiscal year ended March 31, 1996
                                            --------------

                                       OR

____ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
     SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]

           For the transition period from __________ to ____________.

                        Commission File Number : 1-9585
                                                 ------

                                  ABIOMED, Inc.
              ---------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

             Delaware                                       04-2743260
   ------------------------------                      -------------------
       (State or other jurisdiction of                  (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                     Identification No.)

               33 Cherry Hill Drive, Danvers, Massachusetts 01923
               --------------------------------------------------
              (Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (508)777-5410
                                                           -------------

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                      None

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                          Common Stock, $.01 par value

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
                               Yes  X     No 
                                   ---       ---   

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Rule 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to the
Form 10-K.   [    ]
<PAGE>
 
The aggregate market value of the registrant's Common Stock, $.01 par value,
held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 18, 1996 was $114,923,589
based on the closing price of $16.50 on that date on the Nasdaq National
Market.*  As of June 18, 1996, 5,537,066 shares of the registrant's Common
Stock, $.01 par value, were outstanding, and 1,428,000 shares of the
registrant's Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value, were outstanding.

____________________
*  No established public trading market exists for the registrant's Class A
Common Stock, $.01 par value.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement involving the election of
directors, which is expected to be filed within 120 days after the end of the
registrant's fiscal year, are incorporated by reference in Part III (Items 10,
11 and 12) of this Report.





6/18/96                                2
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                                     PART I

   ITEM 1.  BUSINESS
   ------   --------

   ABIOMED(R), Inc. and Subsidiaries ("ABIOMED" or the "Company") develops,
   manufactures and markets medical and dental devices and is a leader in the
   research and development of cardiac assist devices. The Company currently has
   three separate operating subsidiaries: ABIOMED R&D, Inc., ABIOMED
   Cardiovascular, Inc., and ABIODENT(R), Inc. Since commencing operations in
   1981, the central focus of the Company has been on innovative technical
   research and development with an emphasis on cardiac assist technology. In
   the Company's last three fiscal years, the majority of the Company's revenues
   were derived from the commercialization of the first cardiovascular product
   developed by the Company.

   ABIOMED R&D, Inc. (the "Research Division") is dedicated to scientific
   research and engineering development of products designed to address a
   variety of medical needs. The Research Division has expertise in electro-
   mechanical systems, cardiac physiology and experimental surgery; blood-
   material interactions, fluid mechanics and hemodynamics, electronics
   (hardware and software), plastics processing; lasers and optical physics.
   Initial research and product development in the Research Division is
   currently primarily funded by research grants and contracts from U.S.
   Government agencies. The Company selectively invests in product development
   with internal funds, particularly in the later stages of development and
   testing.

   The core activities of the Research Division are in the areas of permanent
   and temporary cardiac assist. The primary technology under development by the
   Research Division is a battery-operated implantable total artificial heart.
   Other cardiac assist devices at various stages of research and development
   include: a heart booster, a catheter-based intra-aortic cardiac support
   device (the "SupraCor(R)"), and a variety of specialized pumps, such as a
   pediatric ventricular assist pump and a magnetically-suspended centrifugal
   pump. The Research Division is also active in the development of certain non-
   cardiac assist devices when it believes it can solve important medical
   problems. Examples of these activities include, but are not limited to,
   devices in the area of minimally invasive surgery applications, such as
   tissue welding and vascular welding for the repair of small arteries.

   ABIOMED Cardiovascular, Inc. and ABIODENT, Inc. manufacture, market and
   support products based on technology initially developed by the R&D group now
   comprising ABIOMED R&D(R) Inc. Its primary cardiovascular product in the
   market today is a bi-ventricular cardiac assist device, the BVS-5000(R) (the
   "BVS"). This sophisticated but easy to use Class III device is employed by
   cardiac surgeons to save the lives of a segment of those patients whose
   hearts need a temporary period of support to rest and recover after heart
   surgery. The BVS provides full assist as an external temporary artificial
   heart. The BVS takes over, on a temporary basis, the complete pumping
   function of one or both ventricles of the heart until the natural heart
   recovers its normal function. In November 1992, the BVS was approved by the
   FDA for domestic marketing, the first ever for such a ventricular assist
   device in the U.S. In the past three fiscal years, a

                                       3
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   majority of the Company's product revenues were generated by sales of the BVS
   product line. The Company sells dental products, including the PerioTemp(R)
   (which it manufactures), the Halimeter(TM) and associated supplies. These
   devices are used for screening of early periodontal disease and other sources
   of halitosis. Revenues from sales of these dental products, while growing,
   represent less than ten percent of total revenues in each of the past three
   fiscal years.

   ABIOMED, Inc. is a Delaware corporation. The Company's principal offices are
   located at 33 Cherry Hill Drive, Danvers, Massachusetts 01923, and its
   principal telephone number is (508) 777-5410 and its principal fax number is
   (508) 777-8411. Unless otherwise indicated, as used in this Report, the term
   "Company" or "ABIOMED" refer to ABIOMED, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiaries:
   ABIOMED R&D, Inc., ABIOMED Cardiovascular, Inc., ABIODENT, Inc., Abiomed
   Research and Development, Inc., and ABD Holding Company, Inc. and its
   majority owned subsidiary, Abiomed Limited Partnership.

   ABIOMED and ABIODENT and the corresponding logos are registered service marks
   of the Company. Angioflex, BVS and BVS-5000, SupraCor and PerioTemp are
   registered trademarks of the Company. Heart Booster is a trademark of the
   Company.


   Cardiac Assist - Temporary and Permanent Device Markets
   --------------------------------------------------------

   Heart disease is one of the leading chronic health problems affecting the
   U.S. population. According to U.S. government sources, there are more than 21
   million people in the U.S. who have some form of heart disease and
   approximately 3 million people who suffer from congestive heart failure. In
   1992, heart disease was the leading cause of death in the U.S., killing an
   estimated 700,000 people. Demographic studies indicate that the U.S.
   population is aging. As the prevalence of heart disease increases with age,
   the Company believes that the number of people afflicted with heart disease
   will continue to increase for the foreseeable future, and heart disease will
   remain the single greatest life-threatening malady.

   The majority of heart patients have impairments associated with the pumping
   function of the heart muscle, resulting from electrical abnormalities, poor
   oxygen supply due to narrowed or blocked coronaries, muscle dysfunction
   (congestive heart failure), or a combination of the above factors. Congenital
   heart diseases, generally in the young, and valvular defects can be corrected
   surgically and constitute a relatively small segment of the total heart
   patient population. Most patients suffering from heart disease are initially
   treated pharmacologically primarily to reduce load to the heart. Cardiac
   drugs are a major segment of the drug industry. Typically, cardiologic
   intervention, surgical correction and mechanical devices are considered in
   sequence when drugs are ineffective or when the nature of the disease is such
   that it cannot be effectively treated by currently available drugs.

   The origin of the pumping abnormality of the heart can be either electrical
   or mechanical in nature or a combination of the two.  Electrical, or rhythm,
   disturbances that threaten life or impair the quality-of-life have been
   treated effectively with devices such as pacemakers and implantable
   defibrillators. Mechanical dysfunctions of the heart are the primary field

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
   of focus for ABIOMED. Mechanical problems with the heart represent either a
   transient or permanent inability of the heart muscle to contract and pump
   blood. In many cases, such weakening of the heart muscle and tissue, when not
   treatable with drugs, can be alleviated by cardiac assist devices which
   mechanically augment or replace the heart function. ABIOMED believes that it
   is a technology leader in this relatively new field.

   The Company believes that patients who may benefit from mechanical assist do
   not form a monolithic block but are segmented into many categories with
   different requirements and constraints. Major categories include post-
   cardiotomy shock, various classes of congestive heart failure (primarily
   Class IV and Class III patients), certain forms of  carditis, acute
   indications such as acute myocardial infarction (excluding sudden death
   patients) and bridge-to-transplantation. The Company believes that no single
   device can effectively handle all of these patient populations. The Company
   has, therefore, undertaken the development of a family of devices that spans
   a broad spectrum of patients in need of mechanical cardiac assist.

   The Company classifies mechanical cardiac assist devices as "temporary" or
   "permanent" according to the clinical intent:

   When the intent is to remove the device after a period of support time which
   may be hours, days, months, or even years, the device is a temporary device.
   Temporary devices available today include roller and centrifugal pumps
   ("CPs") for heart-lung bypass, intra-aortic balloon pumps ("IABP"), and
   emerging ventricular assist devices such as the Company's BVS bi-ventricular
   cardiac support system and certain left ventricular assist devices ("LVADs")
   approved currently as bridge-to-transplant devices. The Company's BVS
   received FDA approval in November 1992 and remains the only device approved
   by the FDA for treatment of post-cardiotomy shock. In May 1996, the FDA
   amended the approved indications for use to include both treatment of right
   heart failure following insertion of an LVAD and treatment of cardiogenic
   shock following cardiac transplantation. The BVS is an external temporary
   artificial heart used to help provide an ailing heart with sufficient
   circulatory support so that the heart can rest and, if not irreparably
   damaged, recover its strength and normal function within a short period of
   time, typically less than one week.

   When the intent of a cardiac assist device is to provide support through the
   end of life, it is a permanent device. Today, there is no device approved by
   the FDA for permanent mechanical heart assistance for any indication. In
   particular, there is no permanent cardiac assist device approved by the FDA
   as an alternative to heart transplantation. The Company believes that there
   is a significant fraction of patients suffering from acute heart failure and
   from congestive heart failure (a progressively debilitating and ultimately
   fatal disease) who can be helped to lead normal lives by the development and
   use of permanently implanted cardiac assist devices.

   Based on the need to address different patient indications, the Company
   further classifies permanent cardiac assist devices into two types: (1) End-
   Stage Life-Renewal devices, for patients requiring full-scale support

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
   to increase their life spans; and (2) Quality-of-Life devices, for patients
   requiring moderate assistance in heart function to improve the quality of
   their lives. The Company has two permanent implantable mechanical cardiac
   assist products under development, the Total Artificial Heart and the Heart
   Booster, which are intended to address these market needs.

   Today, patients who suffer from acute heart failure rarely have any
   alternative and typically die, even when they are in the hospital setting.
   Although temporary cardiac support, such as the BVS-5000, may be able to
   temporarily help some of these in-hospital patients, the lack of donor hearts
   limits the possibility of this treatment method for the majority of this
   subject population. Based on data published by the National Heart, Lung and
   Blood Institute, there were over 280,000 deaths in 1991 from acute myocardial
   infarction alone. Of these, after making adjustments  by not including
   patients over 75 years old and by excluding sudden death patients, the
   Company estimates that as many as 70,000 would  have benefited from an
   implantable total artificial heart.

   Congestive heart failure patients, due to the progressive nature of the
   disease, usually have more time for diagnosis and treatment than acute heart
   failure patients. Patients facing death due to irreversible heart damage,
   whether bridged with a temporary device or not, need a human heart
   transplant. During the first half of 1995, on any given day there were
   typically a little over 3,000 qualified patient registrations on the United
   Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) National Waiting List, each in need of a
   donor heart. Several published government sources estimate that the number of
   U.S. congestive heart failure patients who require some form of permanent
   cardiac assist exceeds 30,000 per year, with some estimates as high as
   70,000. This demand well exceeds the supply of donor hearts. The annual
   supply of natural donor hearts in the U.S. has reached a level of 2,300+
   hearts per year. Thus, due to the limited supply of available donor hearts,
   more than 90% of the end-stage congestive heart patients die without the
   benefit of a viable life-saving treatment.

   In the future, implantable LVADs, currently in clinical trials, may be
   available for permanent mechanical support of a segment of this patient
   population: those who primarily require support to the left side of the
   heart. Implantable total artificial hearts, such as is currently undergoing
   pre-clinical evaluation by ABIOMED, are intended for patients who require
   complete permanent support to both the left and the right sides of the heart.
   Because the number of human donor hearts potentially available for
   transplantation is unaffected by bridging and, therefore, will remain
   considerably below the number of patients requiring heart transplants or
   permanent mechanical alternatives (such as LVADs and artificial hearts), and
   because the Company believes that gene therapy, and animal xenografting
   (transplant of animal organs)  are decades away from being clinically
   introduced, if at all, the Company believes that there is a considerable
   market for an implantable, battery-driven total artificial heart as a cost-
   effective alternative to heart transplantation. With funding assistance from
   the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under two contracts awarded in 1988
   and 1993, the Company has been developing such a total artificial heart.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
   The above discussion regarding permanent mechanical support focuses on end-
   stage patients facing imminent death. As mentioned, the Company believes that
   there is another large market segment for mechanical assist devices that can
   permanently improve the "quality of life" of patients who are not in danger
   of imminent death. A 1993 report in the Journal of American College &
   Cardiology indicated that 3,000,000 people in the U.S. suffer from congestive
   heart failure. Of these people, approximately 200,000 die each year and
   400,000 are added to the pool of people suffering from congestive heart
   failure. Congestive heart failure is a failure of the heart to pump enough
   blood against normal pressures to adequately meet the energy requirements of
   the body. The Company believes that a significant portion of these patients
   can benefit from permanent cardiac assist devices that provide support but do
   not replace the function of the natural heart.

   These patients can be distinguished from those who need heart transplants
   (human or artificial) or LVADs because the Company believes that the
   associated risks with those devices and procedures are too high when life is
   not at stake. The Company estimates that there are 50,000 to 200,000 people
   per year who meet this criteria. This has been recognized by advocates of
   technology alternatives, such as cardiomyoplasty, for patients who do not
   face imminent death but whose quality of life is very limited (usually
   confined to a bed-to-chair type of existence) due to heart dysfunction. The
   Company does not believe that there is an effective drug, procedure or device
   available to help these patients. Supported by a five year NIH contract
   awarded in 1995, the Company is conducting research into the development of a
   "Heart Booster" device for this patient category.

   Temporary Cardiac Assist Product Lines
   --------------------------------------

   The Company has developed, markets and sells the BVS-5000 Bi-Ventricular
   Support System and related accessories. Other temporary cardiac assist
   products in various stages of development by the Company include: the
   SupraCor, a pediatric ventricular assist pump, and a magnetically suspended
   centrifugal pump.

     The BVS-5000 Bi-Ventricular Temporary Artificial Heart System.  The BVS is
     -------------------------------------------------------------             
   a cardiac assist device designed to provide a patient's ailing heart with
   full mechanical circulatory assistance as an external temporary artificial
   heart so that the natural heart can rest, stabilize and recover its normal
   function.

   The BVS received FDA pre-market approval ("PMA") in November 1992 allowing
   the Company to begin marketing the product in the U.S. This approval
   represented the first time that the FDA had approved a cardiac assist device
   through the rigorous PMA process. In May 1996, the FDA amended the approved
   indications for use to include both treatment of right heart failure
   following insertion of an LVAD and treatment of cardiogenic shock following
   cardiac transplantation.  The BVS is the only device approved by the FDA for
   post-operative patients in post-cardiotomy shock.

   The BVS is targeted for use in any hospital performing open-chest cardiac
   surgery (more than 900 hospitals in the United States) and is intended for

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
   short term use primarily in patients requiring mechanical circulatory support
   after open-chest cardiac surgery. The system consists of one or two
   disposable bedside blood pumps connected to a patient's heart. Depending on
   the patient's needs, these blood pumps provide support for the left, right or
   both sides of a patient's heart. Like the natural heart, each pump contains
   two chambers: an artificial atrium, which fills directly from the natural
   heart, and an artificial ventricle, which pumps blood back to the body. The
   BVS blood pump reduces the risk of damaging blood cells by filling passively
   and continuously by gravity rather than by suction. The BVS blood-contacting
   pumps are single-use disposable products.

   The BVS blood pumps are driven and controlled by a microprocessor-based
   console. The console features a simple, easy-to-use, touch-activated control
   panel. The BVS incorporates a patented closed-loop system that automatically
   adjusts the pumping rate, like the natural heart. The BVS does not require a
   specially trained technician to constantly monitor or adjust pumping
   parameters, which reduces operating costs.

   The Company designed, developed and manufactures the BVS blood pumps, the BVS
   console and related accessories. The Company designed and manufactures its
   own pumping chambers and trileaflet valves for the BVS blood pumps from its
   proprietary Angioflex(R) material. In developing the BVS system for temporary
   use only, the Company believes that it has been able to avoid some of the
   complexities and high-cost components that would have been needed had the
   system been originally designed for permanent use.

   The BVS is intended to provide temporary heart support to an ailing heart to
   allow it the time to rest, stabilize and recover its normal function.
   Stabilization and recovery of the heart with the BVS typically occur in a
   period of less than one week.  The longest period that a patient has been on
   BVS support is 82 days. Although patients whose hearts fail to recover under
   BVS support may become candidates for transplantation, this is not the
   intended nor the approved use of the BVS.

   As of March 31, 1996, the completion of the Company's third full fiscal year
   since FDA approval of the BVS, the BVS had been purchased by over 170 medical
   centers in the U.S. Typically, U.S. medical centers initially purchase the
   BVS console, two to four BVS blood pumps, training and related accessories.
   Subsequent purchases are dependent upon the rate of BVS usage. The BVS blood
   pumps and certain accessories contact blood when used and, therefore, are
   disposed of by the medical center after use on a single patient. The BVS is
   capable of supporting the left, right or both sides of the heart. In the
   Company's clinical experience, more than half of the patients required
   support to both sides of the heart, and therefore the use of two disposable
   BVS blood pumps.

   Company analysis of mortality figures in published references indicate that
   in the U.S. alone there are over 12,000 patients each year who expire peri-
   operatively, the BVS's primary targeted market. Due to the aging U.S.
   population and the increasing number of patients requiring repeat coronary
   by-pass and valve replacement operations, the Company believes

                                       8
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   that there is a growing patient population that could benefit from the use of
   the BVS.

     The SupraCor(R) Intra-Arterial Cardiac Support System. The SupraCor(R) 
     --------------------------------------------------                        
   Intra-Arterial Cardiac Support System (the "SupraCor") is an advanced intra-
   aortic balloon-based catheter designed to operate in the ascending aorta of
   the patient's heart. The device is intended for rapid support of patients who
   require an increased blood supply to the heart.

   Inserted percutaneously, or surgically via the femoral artery, the SupraCor
   is designed to help increase coronary blood flow and to reduce the workload
   of the heart.  The SupraCor has completed a pilot (learning) clinical trial
   under an approved FDA Investigational Device Exemption ("IDE").

   The Company's primary clinical focus was aimed at demonstrating the
   feasibility for use of the SupraCor in an Emergency Room setting to
   resuscitate patients who suffer cardiac arrest. Although the pilot study was
   not designed for post-resuscitation support, the Company believes that
   following clinical methods developed by others, including the Company's
   clinical collaborators, the SupraCor can help resuscitate many cardiac arrest
   patients who fail to respond to CPR, maximum life support techniques and drug
   treatment (conventional advanced cardiac life support). The Company also
   believes that upon resuscitation of some of these patients, the SupraCor's
   unique characteristics will help to temporarily stabilize their hearts to
   provide time for these patients to undergo corrective life-saving
   interventional procedures.

   The pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of insertion of the device under
   emergency room conditions in a fraction of the cardiac arrest patients and
   provided a partial assessment of the device, including; (a) data about its
   potential to resuscitate patients for whom all else failed, and, (b)
   identification of procedural and device refinements needed to enhance its
   ability to perform its intended life-saving function.

   Based upon published information, the Company believes that there are more
   than 350,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests in the U.S. each year, and 97%
   of these patients do not survive to hospital discharge. Of these, the Company
   believes there are many tens of thousands of patients in the U.S. per year
   that could potentially be helped by the SupraCor and associated life saving
   support technologies.

   The Company has also conducted preliminary clinical trials for the SupraCor
   for a second indication for use; patients who cannot be weaned from
   cardiopulmonary by-pass or who deteriorate post operatively and need rapid
   support. Clinical trials for this second indication were also conducted on a
   limited basis in selected centers in the USA and Europe.

   The Company's primary sales and marketing focus is on the cardiac surgery
   market. The above described application for the SupraCor is an emergency room
   application. In order to introduce the SupraCor commercially for this
   application, at a minimum the Company would need to apply to the FDA for, and
   conduct, expanded clinical trials

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
   for the device. Such expanded clinical trials would need to include further
   assessment of the safety and efficacy of the SupraCor for both resuscitation
   and post-resuscitation cardiac support of these patients. Because the Company
   has no direct capability to sell products intended for the emergency room or
   for interventional cardiologists, the Company plans to seek a partner or
   partners to help advance the refinement and clinical evaluation of the
   SupraCor. Until the business direction is better defined, the Company has
   placed further SupraCor clinical trials on hold.

   Permanent Cardiac Assist Products.
   --------------------------------- 

   The Company's efforts in the development of permanent cardiac assist products
   are primarily directed at two products; (1) the Total Artificial Heart (which
   has been in development by the Company for a number of years) and (2) the
   Heart Booster device (which is currently in the early research stage).

     The Total Artificial Heart (TAH). The TAH is a battery-powered implantable
     ---------------------------------                                         
   artificial heart under development by the Company to address the needs of
   patients with irreversibly failing hearts who require permanent mechanical
   circulatory support. The TAH is intended to be a permanent device that
   replaces a failing human heart, providing the complete left and right side
   pumping functions of the heart. The TAH is intended to be fully implantable
   without any externalized ports. Such ports, if present, increase the risks of
   infections. The TAH technology could also be adapted to function as a left or
   right ventricular assist device.  However, the Company believes that the
   largest segment of the patient population in imminent danger of death and
   therefore requiring permanent support will need a total artificial heart
   (TAH) as an alternative to transplantation.

   The Company is one of three scientific teams in the United States that has a
   contract with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (the "NHLBI")
   (awarded in the second quarter of fiscal 1993) to develop a battery-powered
   implantable total artificial heart. This contract follows a $5.6 million
   NHLBI TAH contract that had been previously awarded to the Company for the
   initial research and development. The existing contract is a two-phase
   contract. The first phase, which commenced on September 30, 1993 and
   concludes on September 30, 1996, provides $4.9 million to the Company to
   refine and finalize the design and demonstrate feasibility through initial
   bench and pre-clinical testing. Pre-clinical testing and evaluation are
   conducted by the Texas Heart Institute under a sub-contract from the Company.
   Contingent upon the successful completion of this first phase, as determined
   by the NHLBI, the contract provides for a continuation second phase (4 years
   starting on October 1, 1996). The goal of the second phase is to bring the
   device to the clinical testing phase as a permanent device. As of March 31,
   1996, the Company had approximately $610,000 of funding remaining on the
   first phase of this contract. The NHLBI has indicated that it plans to award
   in October 1996 an aggregate of approximately $17 million for TAH
   development. The NHLBI also has indicated that it intends to award its
   funding to only two of the three current scientific teams that are working on
   TAH

                                      10
<PAGE>
 
   development. The Company has requested $8.6 million for the second phase.
   There can be no assurance that the Company will receive the amount requested
   or that it will receive any additional NHLBI funding for its TAH development.
   In addition, the Company's existing TAH development contract, as with all of
   the Company's U.S. government contracts, is terminable at the convenience of
   the government (See "Research and Development"). ABIOMED retains the rights,
   royalty-free and clear, to manufacture and market the TAH.

   ABIOMED's TAH system has undergone various levels of laboratory and pre-
   clinical testing. As of the end of fiscal 1996, the Company has evolved the
   basic full-system design for the TAH and has begun increasing the pace of
   system and component testing. The thoracic unit (the implanted artificial
   heart excluding implanted electronics and battery) has already tested in pre-
   clinical experiments for periods exceeding three months. Internal components
   have undergone various laboratory tests; important components like motor
   bearings and hydraulic valves have been running continuously for over one
   hundred million cycles (two and a half years equivalency). Other critical
   components like the blood contacting valves have been tested for an
   equivalence of over 10 years.

   The NHLBI-sponsored development program calls for the TAH to be designed for
   a five year operational goal.  The  Company believes that there are a
   significant number of patients who might benefit from a TAH that can
   initially be shown to operate reliably for shorter periods of time.  The
   Company intends  to  accelerate its pace of TAH development and testing for
   these patients with a plan, subject to adequate available financial
   resources, for beginning clinical trials this decade. There can be no
   assurances that the Company will be successful in developing the TAH on its
   existing schedule or on an accelerated schedule, if at all.

   Company analysis of mortality figures in published references indicate that
   in the U.S. alone there are over 100,000 patients each year who could
   potentially benefit from its TAH, including patients with acute myocardial
   infarctions, cardiomyopathies, various forms of carditis, congestive heart
   failure (end-stage) and patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest.

     The Heart Booster. The Heart Booster  device is targeted to those patients
     ------------------                                                        
   suffering from congestive heart failure resulting in a significant
   deterioration of their quality of life, but who are not at risk of imminent
   death. The Company's early-stage research and development efforts on this
   device are focused on cardiac assist technology that, unlike the TAH and
   LVADs, avoids the inherent risks of contact with blood while providing a
   significant level of mechanical assistance to the heart to restore these
   patients to an acceptable and active quality of life.

   Various treatments for quality-of-life enhancement are currently being
   explored by investigators, including cardiomyoplasty, which involves wrapping
   the heart with skeletal muscle and pacing this muscle with a pacemaker. While
   cardiomyoplasty has been pursued by other companies, ABIOMED believes that
   the limited effectiveness (mechanical assistance) of this technique
   (cardiomyoplasty) does not justify its relatively high associated risks. In
   contrast, the ABIOMED Heart Booster is being designed to be more effective
   and less invasive than cardiomyoplasty by wrapping 

                                      11
<PAGE>
 
   the natural heart with a synchronized electro-hydraulically-powered
   artificial (plastic) muscle. The Heart Booster is intended to provide the
   required ventricular augmentation without requiring contact with flowing
   blood, medication or skin penetration. There can be no assurances that the
   Company will be successful in developing the Heart Booster.

   The Company estimates that there are between 50,000 and 200,000 people in the
   U.S. who might benefit from the Heart Booster. Although in an earlier stage
   of development than the TAH, the Heart Booster is intended to be a less
   invasive device (primarily because it does not require removal of the natural
   heart) and utilizes certain of the technologies developed by ABIOMED for the
   TAH.  Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, located in New York City, is the
   initial medical center collaborating with the Company on this project for
   pre-clinical device testing.

   In October 1995, the Company received a $4.3 million contract from the
   National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute to fund this project. ABIOMED
   retains the rights, royalty-free and clear, to manufacture and market the
   Heart Booster.

     Marketing and Sales - Cardiac Assist.  The Company, through its wholly-
     ------------------------------------                                  
   owned subsidiary ABIOMED Cardiovascular, Inc., sells its BVS product line
   through a direct sales and support staff in the U.S. and through a network of
   distributors in selected countries outside the U.S.

   In the United States, the Company has established its own direct sales force
   covering the entire United States. As of June 1, 1996, the Company's sales,
   clinical support and marketing staff for the BVS included twenty full-time
   employees, with eight employees engaged full-time in direct sales. The direct
   sales effort is augmented, particularly with respect to reorders of blood
   pumps, by a seven member clinical services group that is directly responsible
   for BVS customer training and product usage support.

   In addition, the Company has established a distribution network for the BVS
   in parts of Europe and certain other foreign countries. This distribution
   network consists of local distributors that have experience in the
   marketing, distribution and servicing of other cardiovascular devices.
   Employees of these distributors have undergone product and technical training
   relating to the BVS. Although the majority of international sales are
   denominated in U.S. dollar, certain foreign sales may be subject to risk from
   currency fluctuations, import or export controls and other risks associated
   with foreign sales.


   Risk Assessment of Periodontal Disease
   --------------------------------------

   The Company's dental subsidiary, ABIODENT, is involved in the early detection
   and assessment of risk of periodontal disease and other sources of halitosis.
   Periodontal disease is an infection caused by the presence of bacteria or
   other microorganisms in the pockets of the gums which result in inflammation
   of the gums and, in its most advanced form, the decay of gum tissue, bone
   deterioration and the loss of teeth. According to published reports, over
   three quarters of all adults have periodontal disease, with approximately one
   third of adults 65 years and older having

                                      12
<PAGE>
 
   advanced cases of the disease. Less serious, periodontal disease is a cause
   of halitosis (a.k.a. bad breath). This condition has cosmetic and health
   implications to many dental patients and the Company believes that dentists
   will increasingly recognize the need to provide this service to patients on a
   routine basis.

   The conventional technique of diagnosing periodontal disease is the use of a
   dentist's standard probe to observe signs of the disease such as periodontal
   pocket depth and bleeding. However, this technique is relatively subjective
   and retrospective, and dentists often are unable to detect periodontal
   disease early enough to implement measures to prevent gum disease or tooth
   loss. Accordingly, the Company believes that there is a significant market
   for a device capable of objective risk assessments of the early stages of
   periodontal disease during routine dental examinations and capable of
   educating patients about their periodontal health.

   Periodontal Screening System
   ----------------------------

     PerioTemp(R) Periodontal Screening System. The PerioTemp periodontal
     -----------------------------------------                           
   screening system (the "PerioTemp") is a tool for use by dentists,
   periodontists and other dental specialists to instantly detect sites of gum
   inflammation. It also allows the clinician to simultaneously record gum
   pocket depth information and bleeding points. The PerioTemp, developed and
   manufactured by the Company, is promoted in one context for use in
   conjunction with a Halimeter (a device which measures sulfur concentrations
   in the mouth which are indicative of halitosis), to provide differential
   evaluation of the sources of halitosis. The Halimeter is currently purchased
   from its manufacturer and distributed by the Company.

   The PerioTemp has been cleared by the FDA for marketing under Section 510(k)
   of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Gum temperature has been shown,
   as documented by published sources, to be a good indicator of the presence of
   inflammation, a precursor of periodontal disease. The PerioTemp measures
   small temperature differences around each tooth.

   The PerioTemp patented technology, developed in part through funding from the
   National Institute of Dental Research, consists of a book-sized console,
   containing a microprocessor that is connected to a probe, shaped much like a
   dentist's probe, with a heat-sensing tip. The device is used in a manner
   which is consistent with traditional probing but includes an instantaneous
   display and record of temperature deviations from normal inside the pockets
   between teeth and the surrounding gum.  The Company believes that the
   instantaneous evaluation is important to both the dental specialist and the
   patient.

     Marketing and Sales - Periodontal Screening.   The Company, through its
     -------------------------------------------                            
   wholly owned subsidiary ABIODENT, markets the PerioTemp and Halimeter for use
   in connection with complementary products of others used in preventive and
   cosmetic dental programs. In the past two years, through an effort that
   remains modest, the Company found peer-to-peer selling to be an effective
   means of selling the products. Dentists who use the products share their
   experience with their peers through independent seminars.  The referral
   source helps the Company sell the device. These

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
   seminars emphasize different aspects of the products including their utility
   in early screening of breath problems and the implication of periodontal
   disease.  The Company's efforts also aim at illustrating to dentists the
   economic benefits to the practice and the health benefits to the patients of
   purchasing the product, emphasizing that  it helps them identify more
   patients for earlier treatment. As of June 1, 1996, ABIODENT had two full-
   time sales representatives.


   Other Product Development and Research Activities
   --------------------------------------------------

   In addition to engineering personnel at ABIOMED Cardiovascular and ABIODENT
   who support existing product lines, the Company, through its wholly-owned
   subsidiary ABIOMED R&D, Inc., maintains a research and development group (the
   "R&D group") to develop new medical devices to address medical needs that the
   Company believes are not otherwise being adequately addressed. The R&D group
   conducts its research using core technology expertise in areas such as
   electro-mechanical systems, cardiac physiology and experimental surgery,
   blood-material interactions, fluid mechanics and hemodynamics, electronics
   (hardware and software), plastics processing, lasers and optical physics. The
   R&D group's primary emphasis is on cardiac assist. It has followed a general
   policy of funding new projects with contracts or grants from third parties
   such as NIH. Once a project reaches a development stage, the Company
   considers internal funding or seeks external business partners for further
   development and commercialization of the product. In addition to the products
   under development as discussed above, the following is a brief description of
   certain other products currently under development by this group. There can
   be no assurances that the Company will be successful in completing the
   development of these products.

   The R&D group has developed a prototype Laser Welder for small diameter
                                           ------------                   
   vascular and tissue repair. This laser welder was developed under a grant
   from the NHLBI. The device is designed to substantially reduce the time
   required for rejoining small vessels. The prototype is currently being
   evaluated in an in-vivo model to determine both its short term weld strength
   and the long term patency of the vessel repairs. The Company is working with
   certain U.S. and European hospitals in evaluating the potential application
   of this product to several markets. The Company believes that this
   technology, and certain remote suturing technology under development by the
   Company, may be particularly useful in the emerging field of minimally
   invasive surgery.

   The R&D group has developed a Magnetically Suspended Centrifugal Pump.  The
                                 ---------------------------------------      
   pump, developed under grant from the NHLBI, eliminates mechanical drive-
   support components, such as rotor bearings and seals, and thereby reduces the
   risk of thrombus (a form of blood clot) formation and embolization (migration
   of the thrombus). This device has been evaluated in laboratory studies and
   the Company is assessing the potential application of this product to several
   markets.

   The R&D group has received a grant from NIH for the development of a
                                                                       
   Pediatric Cardiac Assist Pump. The Pediatric Pump is an extension of the
   -----------------------------                                           
   Company's BVS technology intended to provide infant hearts with

                                      14
<PAGE>
 
   temporary mechanical assistance after surgery. The Pediatric Pump is in
   laboratory development and scheduled for pre-clinical studies in fiscal 1997.
   The Company's development activities for this product are in response to
   requests from BVS users who have identified the need to temporarily support
   the hearts of small children and infants.

   The R&D group is developing an optical Platelet Counter for rapid counting of
                                          ----------------                      
   blood platelets under a grant from the NHLBI. Abnormal cellular parameters
   can reflect many clinical disorders. Based on laboratory results, the Company
   believes that its platelet counter technology has the potential to exhibit a
   faster response and be easier and less expensive to use than traditional
   hospital laboratory methods. The Company is evaluating the commercial
   potential of this product.

   The primary research and development focus of the Company is on its two
   implantable products: the TAH and the Heart Booster. However, the Company
   intends to continue research of associated products especially in the area of
   minimally-invasive surgery. The Company plans to seek strategic partners,
   when it deems appropriate, to accelerate the further development and/or
   market introduction of promising products.


   Manufacturing
   -------------

   The Company manufactures the BVS console, BVS blood pumps and related
   accessories. The manufacture of the BVS consoles consists primarily of
   assembly, testing and quality control. The Company purchases the majority of
   the parts and peripheral components used in the BVS consoles. Many of the
   parts are off-the-shelf items available from more than one supply source. The
   Company manufactures certain blood contacting components for the BVS,
   including valves and bladders, from its proprietary blood-contacting
   polymers. From time to time, the Company has been advised by certain of its
   vendors that the vendor is planning to terminate sales to customers that
   manufacture life-supporting medical devices, such as the Company's
   cardiovascular products, in an effort to reduce potential product liability
   exposure. While the Company believes that alternative sources of raw
   materials and components are available, and that the vendors typically
   provide sufficient lead time for the Company to find alternative sources of
   supply, any supply interruption could have a material adverse effect on the
   Company's ability to manufacture its cardiovascular products.

   The Company has a pilot production facility for the PerioTemp console and a
   semi-automated disposable tip production facility which can be expanded to
   produce larger quantities. Console production consists primarily of assembly,
   testing and quality control. Parts for the console and materials for the
   disposable tip are readily available from several supply sources. The Company
   purchases the Halimeter from a single third party vendor.

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
   Research and Development
   ------------------------

   During fiscal years ended March 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, the Company expended
   $2,430,000, $2,465,000 and $3,218,000, respectively, on product research and
   development. Of these amounts, $1,516,000 and $1,718,000 and $2,457,000
   respectively, was expended on externally funded research and product
   development, and $914,000, $747,000 and $761,000 respectively, was invested
   in Company-sponsored product development. The internal investment in research
   and development was used to fund functional and manufacturing enhancements to
   the Company's BVS, SupraCor and PerioTemp, clinical trials relating to the
   SupraCor product and support of the FDA regulatory processes for these
   products. Virtually all of the externally funded research and development was
   derived from contracts and grants with various government agencies.  As of
   March 31, 1996, the Company was working on various contracts and grants with
   an aggregate remaining value, exclusive of second phase of the TAH contract,
   of approximately $5.5 million. The Company has submitted proposals for
   funding on several projects, including the second phase of the TAH contract.
   All such government contracts contain provisions making them terminable at
   the convenience of the government. The Company retains for itself the rights,
   royalty-free and clear, to manufacture and market the products developed
   under these government contracts and grants.

   Although the NIH budget has been increasing in recent years, there can be no
   guarantee that this budget will not be reduced.


   Competition
   -----------

   Competition in the medical and dental device industries is intense. A number
   of companies have already developed, or are expected to develop, devices
   which will compete with the Company's products. Certain of these companies
   have significantly greater manufacturing, marketing and financial resources
   than the Company.

     Cardiac Support.  A number of companies have already developed, or are
     ---------------                                                       
   expected to develop, permanent or temporary cardiac assist devices which will
   compete with the Company's cardiac assist devices. The Company believes that
   it will compete with these devices on the basis of efficacy, ease of use,
   quality, versatility and total cost of operation.

   Although the BVS is the only FDA approved device or system for treatment of
   post-cardiotomy shock, the BVS directly and indirectly competes with a number
   of devices, including centrifugal and other continuous flow pumps and some
   implantable systems designed for use as a bridge to transplantation or as
   permanently implantable devices. Centrifugal pumps ("CPs") have low-cost
   disposables, but the Company believes that the use of these systems is more
   labor intensive and less clinically effective than the BVS. CPs usually
   require constant monitoring by skilled technicians, which significantly adds
   to the cost of operation. Moreover, the Company believes that centrifugal
   pumps are not currently approved for post-operative circulatory support by
   the FDA. The BVS may also compete with systems that were originally designed
   to be permanent devices but were

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
   not FDA approved for permanent use and were adapted for temporary use and
   with systems approved for temporary "bridge-to-transplantation" support that
   may be able to help support patients with recoverable hearts that experience
   post-cardiotomy shock after surgery. The Company believes that such devices
   are more expensive to use and operate than the BVS, that not all such devices
   provide support to both sides of an ailing heart, that no such devices are
   currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of post-cardiotomy shock, and
   that such devices, if used, were designed or adapted to assist in
   transplantation rather than for recovery and that available donor hearts
   needed by such devices may not be available due to limited supply.

   IABPs may compete with the SupraCor in certain patient categories. SupraCor
   clinical trials are intended to further assess the clinical risks and
   efficacy of the SupraCor beyond the pre-clinical and preliminary clinical
   tests. At least one other medical device company has conducted clinical
   trials of a minimally invasive continuous flow ventricular assist system in
   several United States and European medical centers. This device is targeted
   at some segments of the cardiopulmonary support market.

   LVADs, which have recently begun clinical testing for permanent application
   and which are being developed by many companies, may compete with both the
   Company's TAH and Heart Booster. The Company believes that the TAH primarily
   addresses different patients than LVADs (e.g. LVADs are not effective for
   most patients with acute myocardial infarctions) but for certain patient
   segments, LVADs and TAHs may compete. With respect to the Heart Booster, the
   Company believes that for patients who need quality-of-life support but who
   are not at imminent risk of death, the Heart Booster may compete with LVADs
   on the basis of safety and invasiveness. In addition, certain companies with
   more substantial resources than the Company are targeting these patients with
   cardiomyoplasty technology. Also, more effective drugs may be developed in
   the future which, if proven effective, could compete with the Heart Booster.
   In addition, improvement of currently controversial experimental surgical
   heart size-reduction techniques may offer hope to certain patients suffering
   from end-stage chronic heart failure. The Company believes that gene therapy
   and animal xenografting (transplant of animal organs) are decades away from
   being clinically introduced, if at all. Should these technologies succeed,
   they would compete with the Company's products.

   As discussed, there are three teams in the U.S. funded by the NHLBI to
   develop a total artificial heart. There are other teams in the United States,
   Europe and Japan performing active artificial heart research and development.

     Periodontal Screening.  The Company believes that the PerioTemp represents
     ---------------------                                                     
   the most practical device available today to provide a dentist with an early
   and immediate indication of inflammation, which is a precursor of periodontal
   disease, during a routine examination. A number of companies have developed
   or are expected to develop devices which provide dentists with techniques
   that are less operator sensitive than the use of the standard dentist's probe
   to measure gum pocket depth. However, the measurement of gum pocket depth
   provides information regarding the tissue destruction which has already
   occurred and is not necessarily an

                                      17
<PAGE>
 
   indicator of ongoing periodontal disease activity. The PerioTemp's
   temperature analysis enhances the evaluation provided with pocket depth
   measurement by providing an indication of the risk that periodontal problems
   will develop before pocket depth changes occur. The PerioTemp will also
   compete with the standard dentist's probe which, although less objective in
   diagnosing periodontal disease, is less costly than the PerioTemp. Other
   companies are developing or have developed biological (such as DNA and
   enzymes) assays for disease detection. These assays currently do not provide
   instantaneous feedback like the PerioTemp and are less practical and
   relatively more expensive for use during a routine full mouth evaluation.

   Regulation
   ----------

   The medical and dental devices manufactured and marketed by the Company are
   subject to regulation by the FDA and, in many instances, by foreign
   governments. Under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended (the
   "FDA Act"), manufacturers of medical and dental devices must comply with
   certain regulations governing the testing, manufacturing, packaging and
   marketing of medical and dental devices. Certain of the Company's products
   are also subject to the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act,
   administered by the FDA, which imposes performance standards and record
   keeping, reporting, product testing and product labeling requirements for
   devices using radiation, such as the Company's tissue welding laser and total
   body lead analyzer.

   Under the FDA Act, medical and dental devices are subject to different levels
   of approval requirements, the most comprehensive of which requires that a
   clinical evaluation program be conducted before a device receives pre-market
   approval by the FDA for commercial distribution in the United States.

   Commercial sales of the Company's medical and dental devices must be preceded
   by either FDA pre-market clearance pursuant to Section 510(k) of the FDA Act
   or FDA approval of a Pre-market Approval Application.

   The Section 510(k) notification filing must contain information that
   establishes that the device is substantially equivalent to an existing device
   that had been in use prior to May 28, 1976. The FDA must either concur with
   or deny the 510(k) submission, or require further information within 90 days
   of submission. The Company received FDA marketing clearance under Section
   510(k) for the PerioTemp.

   When a company introduces a new product that is considered to be a
   significant risk device or a life-sustaining device which is not
   substantially equivalent to a device in use prior to May 28, 1976, two steps
   of FDA approval are required before marketing in the United States can begin.
   First, the FDA, with an independent protocol review and approval by
   participating medical institutions, must approve the Company's application
   for an Investigational Device Exemption or "IDE" permitting clinical
   evaluation of the product on human subjects under controlled experimental
   conditions. Second, the FDA must grant the Company's Pre-market Approval
   Application. The FDA will grant pre-market approval if it finds that the
   safety and efficacy of the product have

                                      18
<PAGE>
 
   been sufficiently demonstrated through clinical evaluation of the product.
   The FDA may also require additional patient follow-up as part of a post-
   market surveillance program for an indefinite period of time.

   In November 1992, the Company received FDA pre-market approval for sale of
   the BVS for circulatory failure following open-chest surgery.  Approval of
   the BVS represented the first time that the FDA approved a cardiac assist
   device through the pre-market approval process.

   The Company has had an IDE for the initial SupraCor clinical testing. To
   expand the scope and centers conducting clinical trials with the SupraCor,
   the Company or an identified partner of the Company would need to apply for a
   new IDE from the FDA. At present, the Company has not applied for an IDE for
   either of the Company's two implantable products under development, the TAH
   or Heart Booster.

   No assurance can be given that the FDA or foreign regulatory agencies will
   give the requisite approvals or clearances for any of the Company's medical
   and dental devices under development on a timely basis, if at all. Moreover,
   after permission is granted, these agencies can later withdraw permission or
   require the Company to change the device or its manufacturing process or
   labeling, to supply additional proof of its safety and effectiveness or to
   recall, repair, replace or refund the cost of the medical or dental device,
   if it is shown to be hazardous or defective. The process of obtaining
   clearance to market products is costly and time-consuming and can delay the
   marketing and sale of the Company's products.

   As a manufacturer of medical and dental devices, the Company is also subject
   to certain other FDA regulations, including post-market surveillance of
   products and FDA inspection and review of manufacturing processes and
   facilities.

   Federal, state and foreign regulations regarding the manufacture, sale, use
   and operation of medical and dental devices are subject to future change. The
   Company cannot predict what impact, if any, such changes might have on its
   business.


   Third Party Reimbursement
   -------------------------

   The Company sells its primary product, the BVS, directly to medical centers
   or physicians and, therefore, is not directly reliant on third party
   reimbursement. However, the medical centers and physicians rely on such
   reimbursement to justify the use of such devices. In the United States,
   medical centers are generally reimbursed by patients, private-payer insurance
   companies (including health maintenance organizations) and government
   administered insurance programs such as Medicare or Medicaid. Medical center
   and physician reimbursement are based on established insurance rates and on
   patients' abilities to pay. Private payer rates of reimbursement to medical
   centers and physicians for use of the BVS vary depending upon the nature of
   the procedure and the agreements between the private payer and the medical
   center and physician. Some of these private payers follow guidelines
   established for government

                                      19
<PAGE>
 
   administered insurance programs. Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement is
   established under guidelines of the Health Care Finance Administration
   ("HCFA"). Generally, HCFA limits the reimbursement that hospitals receive for
   treating certain medical conditions by setting maximum fees that can be
   charged for Medicare patients. Under this system, hospitals are paid a fixed
   amount for treating each patient with a particular diagnosis. In October
   1993, following the FDA pre-market approval of the BVS, HCFA approved
   reimbursement to physicians and medical centers for the FDA approved
   application of the BVS. Effective January 1, 1994, HCFA also approved new
   Common Procedural Terminology Codes (CPT codes) and Relative Value Units
   (RVU's) used by public and private payers to determine payments for insertion
   and removal of ventricular assist devices. As a result, physicians are able
   to receive supplemental reimbursement for their services when they implant
   and remove the BVS. The Company is seeking approval of a new Diagnosis
   Related Group (DRG) reassignment for the BVS. Approval of a separate DRG for
   use of the BVS would likely increase the amount medical centers are
   reimbursed when the BVS is utilized. As an initial step in the DRG
   reassignment process, the Company petitioned HCFA to create unique
   International Classification of Disease (ICD-9) codes to allow HCFA to more
   easily capture cost information in connection with BVS usage. These codes
   were effective October 1, 1995. Once sufficient cost data is captured, the
   Company expects that HCFA will make a decision regarding potential DRG
   reassignment.

   Although the BVS helps save lives and the Company believes that it is more
   cost effective per life saved than alternative devices, the Company believes
   that it is important for future sales of its products that reimbursement
   schedules be adjusted or established to accommodate new categories of
   patients requiring greater levels of heart support.

   The United States health care system has been undergoing a major review in an
   effort to expand access to insurance coverage and to reduce costs. Many of
   the proposals advanced in connection with that review, if adopted, are
   expected to affect health care expenditures in the United States. Measures to
   reduce health care expenses are also under way in several European countries
   where the Company sells or plans to sell its products. The Company cannot
   predict at this time the effect that changes, if any, in the health care
   system in the United States or Europe will have on its business and
   prospects.


   Patents and Proprietary Rights
   ------------------------------

   Certain of the Company's products have been developed in part under Federal
   government contracts pursuant to which the Company may be required to
   manufacture a substantial portion of the product in the United States and the
   government may obtain certain rights to use or disclose technical data
   developed under those contracts. The Company retains the right to obtain
   patents on any inventions developed under those contracts (subject to a non-
   exclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free license to the government),
   provided it follows certain prescribed procedures.

                                      20
<PAGE>
 
   The Company relies upon the law of trade secrets, patent protection and
   unpatented proprietary know-how to protect its technology. Due to the rapid
   technological change that characterize the medical and dental device
   industries, the Company believes that the improvement of existing products,
   reliance upon trade secrets and unpatented proprietary know-how and the
   development of new products are generally as important as patent protection
   in establishing and maintaining a competitive advantage. Nevertheless, the
   Company has received patents and will continue to make efforts to obtain
   patents, when available, in connection with its product development program,
   although there can be no assurance that any patent obtained will provide
   substantial protection or be of commercial benefit to the Company, or that
   its validity will not be challenged. The Company has been issued or allowed
   United States patents relating to certain of its products, including the BVS,
   SupraCor and PerioTemp, and has applied for additional patents relating to
   those and other products in the United States. The Company's SupraCor
   clinical collaborators have a method patent used in the clinical trials of
   the SupraCor to help resuscitate cardiac arrest patients who fail to respond
   to maximum conventional life support techniques. The Company may desire to
   enter into a licensing agreement for these patent rights and believes that it
   can negotiate on the basis of terms that are favorable. However, there is no
   assurance that the Company will do so.  The Company is also in exploratory
   negotiations of certain rights to patents owned by others which it deems
   important for certain of its products under development that are not believed
   to be essential to the Company's presence in the cardiac assist market. Some
   of the Company's issued and filed United States patents are also pending in
   certain other countries.


   Research and Development Partnership
   ------------------------------------

   During fiscal 1996, the Company, at a cost of $770,000 increased it ownership
   in Abiomed Limited Partnership (the "Partnership") from 10.9% to 61.7%. The
   remaining 38.3% of the Partnership is owned by third-party investor limited
   partners to which the Company owes a royalty through August 3, 2000 on
   certain BVS and SupraCor product sales (see Note 7 to the accompanying
   Consolidated Financial Statements).

                                      21
<PAGE>
 
Employees
- ---------

As of June 1, 1996, the Company had 83 full-time employees. None of the
Company's employees is represented by a union. The Company considers its
employee relations to be good.

Executive Officers of the Registrant
- ------------------------------------

     The executive officers of the Company are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                          <C>  <C>
 
               NAME               AGE  TITLE
               ----               ---  -----
<S>                          <C>  <C>
     David M. Lederman..........   52  Chairman of the Board of Directors,
                                       President and Chief Executive Officer
     Robert T.V. Kung...........   52  Senior Vice President-Research and
                                       Development, Assistant Secretary
     Bruce J. Shook.............   37  Vice President Cardiovascular Operations,
     John F. Thero..............   35  Vice President-Finance and Administration,
                                       Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and
                                       Assistant Secretary
</TABLE>



Dr. Lederman founded the Company in 1981, has served as Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer since that time, and as President for the majority
of that time to date. Prior to founding ABIOMED, he was Chairman of the Medical
Research group at the Everett Subsidiary of Avco Corporation. He originated the
design and development of ABIOMED's artificial heart blood pumps and their
valves; has authored over 40 medical publications, is a member of numerous
medical and scientific professional organizations and has been a frequent
speaker in forums on cardiac support systems and on the financing and
commercialization of advanced medical technology. Dr. Lederman received a Ph.D.
degree in Aerospace Engineering from Cornell University.

Dr. Kung has served as Vice President of Research and Development of the Company
since 1987. From 1982 to 1987, he served as Chief Scientist of the Company.
Since 1993, Dr. Kung has served as the Divisional President of the ABIOMED R&D,
Inc. Subsidiary and since 1995 as Senior Vice President of the Company. Prior to
joining ABIOMED, he was a Principal Research Scientist at Schafer Associates and
at the Avco Everett Research Laboratory. He developed non-linear optical
techniques for laser applications and investigated physical and chemical
phenomena in re-entry physics. Dr. Kung has been Principal Investigator for the
Company's TAH and Heart Booster programs and has conceived of and directed the
development of the Company's laser-based minimally invasive technologies, as
well as the PerioTemp. Dr. Kung received a Ph.D. degree in Physical Chemistry
from Cornell University.

                                      22
<PAGE>
 
   Mr. Shook became Vice President of Clinical Affairs for the Company in 1991
   and Vice President in September 1993 when he was given management
   responsibility for the Company's cardiovascular subsidiary, as its Divisional
   President. He has served with the Company in several marketing, clinical and
   regulatory functions since 1987. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Shook
   served in various capacities with Cordis Corporation from 1984 to 1987,
   including Research Engineer and Senior Clinical Engineer. Mr. Shook received
   a Masters Degree in Engineering from Columbia University.

   Mr. Thero joined the Company in 1994 as Vice President, Finance and
   Administration and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining ABIOMED, during
   the period 1992 to 1995, Mr. Thero was Chief Financial Officer and acting
   President for the restructuring of two venture-backed companies. From 1987 to
   1992, Mr. Thero was employed, in various capacities including Chief Financial
   Officer, by Aries Technology, Inc. From 1983 to 1987, Mr. Thero was employed
   by the commercial audit division of Arthur Andersen & Co. during which time
   he became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Mr. Thero received a B.A. in
   Economics/Accounting from The College of the Holy Cross.


   ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
   ------  ----------

   The Company leases its headquarters and research and development and
   production facilities in three separate buildings in an industrial office
   park covering approximately 37,000 square feet. The addresses of these leased
   spaces are 33 Cherry Hill Drive and 24 Cherry Hill Drive in Danvers,
   Massachusetts and 66 Cherry Hill Drive in Beverly, Massachusetts. All
   facilities are located approximately 22 miles north of Boston. The leases at
   the primary facility, representing 23,000 square feet, expire in April, 2000.
   All leases have options to extend at market rates.

   The Company's facilities include fabrication areas for medical and dental
   device manufacturing, and development facilities for laboratory and
   durability testing of plastics and electronics.


   ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
   ------  -----------------

   As of March 31, 1996, the Company was not a party to any material pending
   legal proceedings.


   ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE TO SECURITY HOLDERS
   ------  ---------------------------------------------------

   No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
   quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996.

                                      23
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
                                    -------

   ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
   ------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------

   Market Price
   ------------

   The Company's Common Stock, $.01 par value, is traded on the Nasdaq National
   Market under the symbol "ABMD". No public trading market exists for the
   Company's Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value. The following table sets
   forth the range of high and low sales prices on the Nasdaq National Market
   for the Company's two most recent fiscal years:


                               Common Stock Price
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
   Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 1996          HIGH        LOW
   --------------------------------          ----        ---  
<S>                                          <C>         <C>
                                                   
   Fourth Quarter (Jan 1, 1996 - March 31,   15-1/4      11-1/2
    1996)                                          
   Third Quarter (Oct. 1, 1995 - Dec. 31,    16           8-3/4
    1995)                                          
   Second Quarter (July 1, 1995 - Sept.      13-1/4       6-7/8
    30, 1995)                                      
   First Quarter (April 1, 1995 - June 30,    9           6
    1995)
    </TABLE>
 
   <TABLE>
   <CAPTION>
 
   Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 1995           HIGH          LOW
   --------------------------------           ----          ---  
<S>                                          <C>           <C>
                                                   
   Fourth Quarter (Jan 1, 1995 - March 31,    9-1/2         4-7/8
    1995)                                          
   Third Quarter (Oct. 1, 1994 - Dec. 31,     7-1/2         4
    1994)                                          
   Second Quarter (July 1, 1994 - Sept.       8             6
    30, 1994)                                      
   First Quarter (April 1, 1994 - June 30,    8-1/4         5-3/4
    1994)
</TABLE>


   Number of Stockholders
   ----------------------

   As of March 31, 1996, there were approximately 362 holders of record of the
   Company's Common Stock, including beneficial holders at depositories, banks
   and brokers listed in the single street name of the depository, bank or
   broker, and there was one holder of record of the Company's Class A Common
   Stock.




6/18/96                               24
<PAGE>
 
   Dividends
   ---------

   The Company has never paid any cash dividends on its capital stock and does
   not plan to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The current
   policy of the Company's Board of Directors is to retain any future earnings
   for use in the business of the Company.




6/18/96                               25
<PAGE>
 
   ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
   ------  -----------------------

                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                     (In thousands, except per share data)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Statements of Operations                                   Years Ended March 31,
- ------------------------                                   ---------------------
                                            1992         1993      1994      1995      1996
                                            ----         ----      ----      ----      ---- 
<S>                                      <C>          <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Revenues:                  
   Product revenues                      $ 1,198      $ 1,709   $ 4,648   $ 6,893   $ 9,725
   Contracts                               1,513        1,737     2,027     2,338     3,118
                                         -------      -------   -------   -------   -------
                                           2,711        3,445     6,675     9,230    12,843
Costs and expenses:        
   Cost of products                        2,603        2,043     2,211     3,289     3,921
   Cost of contract research and 
    development                            1,114        1,283     1,517     1,718     2,457
   Internal research and development       1,680          814       914       747       761
   Selling, marketing, general and 
    administrative                         3,616        3,803     4,553     4,278     5,741
                                         -------      -------   -------   -------   -------
                                           9,013        7,942     9,195    10,032    12,880
Income (loss) before interest and 
 provision for income taxes               (6,302)      (4,497)   (2,519)    ( 801)      (37)
                            
   Interest and other income               1,217          603       537       449       528
   Provision for income taxes                ---          ---       ---       ---       ---
                                         -------      -------   -------   -------   ------- 
Net income(loss)                         $(5,085)     $(3,893)  $(1,983)  $ ( 352)  $   491
                                         =======      =======   =======   =======   =======
Net income(loss) per share               $ (0.79)     $ (0.60)  $ (0.31)  $ (0.05)  $  0.07
                                         =======      =======   =======   =======   ======= 
Weighted average number of common and         
common equivalent shares outstanding       6,397        6,441     6,461     6,512     6,995
                           
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Balance Sheet Data:                                   March 31,
- -------------------                                   ---------
                                1992         1993      1994      1995      1996
                                ----         ----      ----      ----      ----
<S>                          <C>          <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Working capital              $18,801      $10,727   $ 6,043     6,304   $12,735
Long-term investments            ---        4,307     7,219     6,533       ---
Total assets                  21,257       17,504    15,426    14,730    16,209
Long-term debt                 3,805        3,820     3,773       ---       ---
Stockholders' equity (1)      16,281       12,460    10,589    13,305    13,945
</TABLE>


   (1) No dividends on Common Stock were declared or paid during any of the
   periods presented.




6/18/96                               26
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 7.MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     OF OPERATIONS
     -------------

Summary
- -------

Historically, ABIOMED has emphasized long-term product research and development,
and Company revenues and expenses have primarily been attributable to this
research and development. This emphasis continued in fiscal 1996 and 1995, with
a variety of products being developed internally and under government contracts.
However, since fiscal 1994, the first full year marketing the BVS in the U.S.,
increasing sales of the BVS have made product revenues the largest contributor
to the Company's operating results. At the end of fiscal 1996, the BVS console
and blood pumps had been sold to over 170 medical centers in the U.S., with U.S.
sales of the number of disposable blood pumps increasing by more than 47% as
compared to sales of disposable blood pump units for fiscal 1995.

The BVS was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sale in
November 1992. During calendar 1993 the Company began building its domestic
direct sales and marketing organization and began its transition into a more
complete commercial entity. Since that time, the Company has built a domestic
sales, support and marketing team for the BVS consisting of 20 people, including
a post-sales clinical support team consisting of seven members compared to only
two during most of fiscal 1995. The Company believes that this sales team and
the effectiveness of the BVS in saving lives are the primary reasons for
increases in product revenues in each of its first three full years domestically
selling the BVS.

Increases in product revenues from the Company's dental subsidiary also helped
to improve the Company's consolidated revenue performance during both fiscal
1996 and 1995.

Consolidated total revenues, excluding interest income, for fiscal 1996 rose to
a record $12,843,000 as compared to $9,230,000 in fiscal 1995 and $6,675,000 in
fiscal 1994, representing increases of 39% and 38% for fiscal 1996 and 1995,
respectively. Net income for the year ended March 31, 1996 was approximately
$491,000 or $0.07 per share compared to a net loss of approximately $352,000 or
$0.05 per share for the year ended March 31, 1995 and net loss of $1,983,000 or
$0.31 per share for the year ended March 31, 1994. Net income for the last six
months of fiscal 1996 totaled approximately $359,000 or $0.05 per share, and
consisted of net income of approximately $170,000 and $189,000 for the fiscal
quarters ended March 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively. Each of the
four quarters of fiscal 1996 were profitable, with net income of approximately
$48,000 and $84,000 for the fiscal quarters ended September 30, 1995 and June
30, 1995, respectively.

                                      27
<PAGE>
 
Product Revenues
- ----------------

Product revenues increased to $9,725,000 in fiscal 1996 from $6,893,000 in
fiscal 1995, and $4,648,000 in fiscal 1994 (Table 1). The 41% and 48% increases
in fiscal 1996 and 1995 product revenues was primarily attributable to growing
U.S. unit sales of the BVS.

                        Table 1:  Total Product Revenues
                                  (thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                 <C>     <C>     <C>
- ------------------------------------------
                    FY1994  FY1995  FY1996
- ------------------------------------------
Product Revenues    $4,648  $6,893  $9,725
- ------------------------------------------
 
</TABLE>

During fiscal 1996 and 1995, unit sales of BVS products, particularly blood
pumps and related accessories,  increased over the prior year.  Average selling
prices for the BVS console and blood pump also increased during fiscal 1996. In
fiscal 1996 and 1995, sales were balanced between sales to new customers and
reorders from existing customers, with reorders of the disposable products to
the installed customer base growing faster than sales of systems to new
customers. In fiscal 1994, the majority of product revenues were derived from
sales of systems to new customers.

The majority of the Company's product revenues in the three fiscal years since
FDA approval of the BVS have been to U.S. customers.  International sales
represented 9%, 13% and 17% of total product revenues in fiscal 1996, 1995 and
1994, respectively.

The increases in product revenues also reflect increases in sales by the
Company's dental subsidiary in each of the last three fiscal years with
increases resulting primarily from increased Halimeter and PerioTemp unit sales
in both fiscal 1996 and 1995 combined with increases in  average selling prices
for both products in fiscal 1996.  Revenue from dental products continue to
represent less than ten percent of total revenues.


Contract Revenues
- -----------------

The Company's research and development subsidiary completed fiscal 1996 with
approximately $3,118,000 in contract revenues, compared with contract revenues
of $2,338,000 in fiscal 1995 and $2,027,000 in fiscal 1994, representing
increases of 33% and 15% for fiscal 1996 and 1995, respectively (Table 2). These
revenues are based upon cost reimbursement and, therefore, reflect the level of
the Company's research and development activity in each year.

                                      28
<PAGE>
 
The majority of the Company's contract revenues, approximately 67% in fiscal
1996, was earned in connection with research for the Company's Total Artificial
Heart (TAH) under the first phase of a contract awarded in September 1993 and
expiring in September 1996, by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
(NHLBI). As of March 31, 1996, approximately $610,000 in funding remained
available to the Company under this first phase of the TAH contract. The NHLBI
has indicated that it has approximately $17 million to be awarded in October
1996 for continued phase two development of a total artificial heart.  The NHLBI
has indicated that only two of the three scientific teams presently receiving
TAH research funding from the NHLBI will qualify for funding for the second
phase. The second phase is anticipated to be a four year contract. ABIOMED has
asked for $8.6 million to be awarded for its continued TAH research and
development. There can be no assurance that ABIOMED will receive its requested
amount or any amount from the NHLBI for this continued TAH research and
development.

During October 1995, the Company was awarded a contract for $4.3 million over
five years from the NHLBI for the initial research and development of its
implantable Heart Booster.

At March 31, 1996, the Company was working on a number of contracts and grants
representing a total backlog, excluding the second phase of the TAH contract, of
approximately $5.5 million. The Company has submitted proposals for funding on
several additional projects including the request for second phase funding of
the TAH. All such government contracts contain provisions making them terminable
at the convenience of the government. The Company retains for itself the rights,
royalty-free and clear, to manufacture and market the products developed under
these government contracts and grants.

Although the NIH (of which the NHLBI is a part) budget has been increasing in
recent years, there can be no guarantee that this budget will not be reduced.


                    Table 2:  Total R&D Contract Revenue
                              (thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                  <C>     <C>     <C>
- -------------------------------------------
                     FY1994  FY1995  FY1996
- -------------------------------------------
Contract Revenues    $2,027  $2,338  $3,118
- -------------------------------------------
 
</TABLE>

                                      29
<PAGE>
 
Costs and Expenses
- ------------------

Costs and expenses for fiscal 1996 totaled approximately $12,880,000 compared to
$10,032,000 and $9,195,000 in fiscal 1995 and 1994, respectively, representing
increases of 28% and 9% for fiscal 1996 and 1995, respectively. These increases
in fiscal 1996 and 1995 primarily reflect increased costs related to product
sales and increased activity related to research and development grants and
contracts. Table 3 sets forth the costs and expenses for the last three fiscal
years.


                          Table 3:  Costs and Expenses
                                    (thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
<S>                                   <C>     <C>     <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------
                                      FY1994  FY1995  FY1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Cost of Product           
 Revenues                             $2,211  $3,289  $3,921
 
Cost of Contract R&D                  $1,517  $1,718  $2,457
Internal R&D                          $  913  $  747  $  761
                                      ------  ------  ------
    Total R&D                         $2,430  $2,465  $3,218
 
Selling, General &
  Administrative                      $4,553  $4,278  $5,741
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------
 
</TABLE>

Cost of product revenues represented approximately 40%, 48% and 47% of product
revenues for fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The increase in sales
margins in fiscal 1996 as compared to fiscal 1995 is primarily attributable to
increased sales volumes of disposable blood pump units to an expanded installed
customer base, increased average selling prices across all product lines and
increased manufacturing efficiencies.

Decreased units costs for both the BVS console and the BVS blood pumps resulted
from decreases in direct manufacturing costs and more effective absorption of
overhead expenses with higher manufacturing volume. The Company believes that
increased manufacturing volumes and productivity gains will continue to reduce
BVS product costs.

Costs of research and development increased to approximately $3,218,000 in
fiscal 1996 compared to $2,465,000 and $2,430,000 fiscal 1995 and 1994,
respectively. These increases reflect increased activity under research
contracts and grants which are billed on a cost-plus-fixed-fee basis. Costs of
internal research and development primarily relate to continued engineering

                                      30
<PAGE>
 
support and improvement of existing products, to continued development of
internally developed products such as SupraCor and for regulatory support for
all products.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (S,G&A) increased to approximately
$5,741,000 in fiscal 1996 from $4,278,000 in fiscal 1995, an increase of 34%.
This increase primarily reflects increased costs associated with higher sales
revenues, including the addition of U.S. based clinical post-sales support
personnel. For fiscal 1995, S,G, and A expenses decreased as compared to fiscal
1994 primarily due to decreased net costs derived in connection with Abiomed
Limited Partnership prior to the Company's settlement of its Net Minimum Royalty
Obligation with the Partnership on March 29, 1995. The decrease in S, G and A
costs also reflects the effect of $106,000 of non-recurring costs incurred in
fiscal 1994.

Interest and Other Revenues and Expenses
- ----------------------------------------

Interest income, net of interest and other expenses, totaled approximately
$528,000, $449,000, and $537,000, for fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
The increase in interest income in fiscal 1996 as compared to fiscal 1995 was
primarily attributable to increased investment balances for the majority of
fiscal 1996. The decrease in interest income in fiscal 1995 compared to fiscal
1994 primarily reflects lower average investment balances for the majority of
fiscal 1995.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

As of March 31, 1996, the Company's balance sheet included approximately
$10,647,000 in cash and marketable securities, a decrease of $378,000 over the
Company's $11,025,000 balance of cash and marketable securities at March 31,
1995. This decrease reflects $770,000 in cash used to purchase limited partner
units from third party limited partner investors in Abiomed Limited Partnership
and investment in equipment of $323,000, partially offset by approximately
$567,000 in cash generated from operations and other activities. The March
31,1996 cash and marketable securities balance includes approximately $2,938,000
in cash, $7,709,000 in short-term investments with various maturities, the
latest of which is August 15, 1996. Working capital increased from approximately
$6,304,000 at March 31, 1995 to approximately $12,735,000 at March 31, 1996
primarily due to shorter term maturities of investments and operating
activities.

Net cash provided by operating activities included net income of approximately
$491,000, depreciation and amortization expenses of approximately $350,000, an
increase in accounts payable of $580,000 and an increase in accrued expenses of
approximately $260,000. These sources of cash were partially offset by an
increase in accounts receivable of approximately $831,000, an increase in
inventories of approximately $244,000 and an increase in prepaid expenses and
other current assets of approximately $38,000. The increase in accounts
receivable is attributable to increased revenues and longer collection periods
for certain accounts. The increase in accounts payable was primarily
attributable to increased purchases and timing of purchases of direct materials
and capital equipment for manufacturing and research and development activities.

                                      31
<PAGE>
 
Net cash provided by investing activities included approximately $2,701,000 of
net maturities of investments offset by $770,000 used to purchase limited
partner units of the Partnership and approximately $323,000 of purchases and
improvements of property and equipment.

As of March 31, 1996, the Company had no borrowings or other debt. The Company
has a $3,000,000 line of credit from a bank which expires in December 1996.
There were no borrowings against this line of credit during fiscal 1996. The
line of credit, if used, bears interest at the bank's prime rate.

Although the Company does not currently have significant capital commitments
other than as described above, the Company believes that it will continue to
make significant investments over the next several years to support the
development and commercialization of its products. In particular, the Company
intends to accelerate development and testing of its total artificial heart. The
Company will need additional funding for this development, a portion of which
may be provided if its proposal to obtain Phase II funding for TAH development
from the NHLBI is successful. A response from NHLBI is due in October 1996. The
Company believes that its revenues and its existing resources are sufficient to
meet its needs for the current fiscal year.

Health Care Reform
- ------------------

Private and government proposals for significant health care reform are expected
to continue to affect health care expenditures in the United States as well as
internationally where the Company sells or plans to sell its products. The
Company cannot assess at this time the potential impact that healthcare trends
may have on future operating results because of the uncertainties surrounding
any foreseeable changes.


ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
- ------   -------------------------------------------

The consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of the Company are
listed under Part IV, Item 14, in this Report.


ITEM 9.    CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
- ------     ---------------------------------------------------------------
     FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
     --------------------

There were no disagreements on accounting principles or practices or financial
statement disclosure between the Company and its accountants during the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1996.

                                   PART III

ITEM 10.    DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
- -------     --------------------------------------------------

The information required by this Item 10 is hereby incorporated by reference to
the text appearing under Part I, Item 1--Business under the caption "Executive
Officers of the Registrant" in this Report, and by reference to the Company's
definitive proxy statement to be filed by the Company within 120 days after the
close of its fiscal year.

                                      32
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
- -------     ----------------------

The information required by this Item 11 is hereby incorporated by reference to
the information under the heading "Executive Compensation" in the Company's
definitive proxy statement to be filed by the Company within 120 days after the
close of its fiscal year.

ITEM 12.    SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
- -------     --------------------------------------------------------------

The information required by this Item 12 is hereby incorporated by reference to
the information under the heading "Securities Beneficially Owned by Directors,
Officers and Principal Stockholders" in the Company's definitive proxy statement
to be filed by the Company within 120 days after the close of its fiscal year.

ITEM 13.    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
- -------     ----------------------------------------------

The information required by this Item 13 is hereby incorporated by reference to
the information under the heading "Certain Transactions", if any, in the
Company's definitive proxy statement to be filed by the Company within 120 days
after the close of its fiscal year.


                                    PART IV
                                    -------

ITEM 14.    EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
- -------     ----------------------------------------------------------------

(A) (1)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
         --------------------

 1.  Report of Arthur Andersen LLP dated May 9, 1996.  (See page F-1 hereof.)

 2.  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 1995 and 1996  (See page F-2
     hereof.)

 3.  Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended March 31, 1994,
     1995, and 1996.  (See page F-3 hereof.)

 4.  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Investment for the years ended
     March 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996.  (See page F-4 hereof.)

 5.  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 1994,
     1995, and 1996.  (See page F-5 hereof.)

 6.  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  (See pages F-6 - F-15 hereof.)

(A) (2) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
        -----------------------------

     Supplemental schedules are not provided because of the absence of
     conditions under which they are required or because the required
     information is given in the financial statements or notes thereto.

                                      33
<PAGE>
 
(A) (3) EXHIBITS
        --------

     (3) Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws.

         (a) Certificate of Incorporation - filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the
             Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
             September 30, 1995 (the "September 1995 10-Q").*

         (b) Restated By-Laws - filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the September 1995 10-Q*

     (4) Instruments defining the rights of Security Holders, including
         Indentures.

         (a) Specimen Certificate of Common Stock - filed as Exhibit 4.01 to the
             Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-
             14861) (the "1987 Registration Statement")*

     (10) Material Contracts.

         (a) Option to Purchase Developed Technology between the Company and the
             Partnership - filed as Exhibit 10.06 to the 1987 Registration
             Statement.*

         (b) Bill of Sale and Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property
             Agreement between the Company and the Partnership - filed as
             Exhibit 10(b) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
             fiscal year ended March 31, 1991.*

         (c) Facility Leases dated September 30, 1993 for the premises at 33
             Cherry Hill Drive - filed as Exhibit 10(e) to the Company's Annual
                                          -------                              
             Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1994 (the
             "1994 Form 10-K").*

         (d) Form of Indemnification Agreement for Directors and Officers -
             filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the 1987 Registration Statement.*

         (e) Abiomed Limited Partnership Amended and Restated Certificate and
             Agreement of Limited Partnership (without schedule of Partners) -
             filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the 1987 Registration Statement.*

         (f) 1992 Combination Stock Option Plan - filed as Exhibit 10.2  to the
             September 1995 10-Q.**

         (g) 1988 Employee Stock Purchase Plan - filed as Exhibit 10(p) to the
                                                          -------             
             Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
             March 31, 1988.**

         (h) 1989 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors---
             filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the September 1995 10-Q.**

                                      34
<PAGE>
 
         (i) Federal (NHLBI) Contract for Phased Readiness Testing of an
             Implantable Total Artificial Heart (filed as Exhibit 10 to the
             Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
             September 30, 1993).*

         (j) Facility Lease dated September 30, 1993 as amended on November 19,
             1993 for the premises at 24B Cherry Hill Drive - filed as Exhibit
                                                                       -------
             10(p) to the 1994 Form 10-K. *



     (11) Computation of Per Share Earnings - see Note 1(f), Notes to
     Consolidated Financial Statements.

     (21) Subsidiaries of the Registrant - filed as Exhibit 22 to the 1994 Form
     10-K.*

     (23) Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

     (27)  Financial Data Schedule.


(B)  REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
     -------------------

     The Company did not file any current reports on Form 8-K during the quarter
     ended March 31, 1996.


- ------------
*    In accordance with Rule 12b-32 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, reference is made to the documents previously filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, which documents are hereby incorporated by
reference.

**   Compensatory plan or arrangement.

                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                          ABIOMED, Inc.

Dated:June 19, 1996      By:       /s/ David M. Lederman
                             ----------------------------
                              David M. Lederman, Chairman
                              of the Board, President
                              Principal Executive Officer

                                      35
<PAGE>
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and
in the capacities and on the date indicated.
 
 
        SIGNATURE                   TITLE               DATE
        ---------                   -----               ----
 
    /s/ David M. Lederman    Chairman of the Board,  June 19, 1996
- ---------------------------
  David M. Lederman          Chief Executive Officer
                             President and Director
 
    /s/ John F. Thero        Vice President Finance  June 19, 1996
- ---------------------------
  John F. Thero              and Administration
                             Chief Financial Officer
                             Principal Accounting Officer
 
    /s/ W. Gerald Austen     Director                June 19, 1996
- ---------------------------
  W. Gerald Austen
 
                             Director                June 19, 1996
- ---------------------------
  Paul Fireman
 
                             Director                June 19, 1996
- ---------------------------
  John F. O'Brien
 
/s/ Desmond O'Connell        Director                June 17, 1996
- ---------------------------
  Desmond O'Connell
 
    /s/ Henri A. Termeer     Director                June 19, 1996
- ---------------------------
  Henri A. Termeer

                                      36
<PAGE>
 


                                      37
<PAGE>
 
                        ABIOMED, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                       CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                         AS OF MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996
                        TOGETHER WITH AUDITORS' REPORT
<PAGE>
 
                                     INDEX



                                                                   Page

Report of Independent Public Accountants                            F-1


Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 1995 and 1996           F-2


Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years
Ended March 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996                                 F-3


Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Investment
for the Years Ended March 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996                   F-4


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years
Ended March 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996                                 F-5


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                       F-6-F-15
<PAGE>
 
                    Report of Independent Public Accountants


To ABIOMED, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ABIOMED, Inc. (a
Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of March 31, 1995 and 1996, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' investment and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 1996.  These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of ABIOMED, Inc. and subsidiaries
as of March 31, 1995 and 1996, and the results of their operations and their
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 1996, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.


Boston, Massachusetts
May 9, 1996

                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
                         ABIOMED, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                          Consolidated Balance Sheets

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     ---------March 31,---------
            Assets                                       1995            1996
<S>                                                  <C>             <C>        
Current Assets:                                                        
  Cash and cash equivalents (Note 1)                 $   614,091     $ 2,938,332
  Short-term marketable securities (Note 1)            3,876,943       7,709,110
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
   accounts of $84,000 and $111,000 at March 31,   
   1995 and 1996, respectively                         1,775,734       2,606,289
  Inventories (Note 1)                                 1,409,280       1,653,512
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets               53,830          92,280
                                                     -----------     -----------

       Total current assets                            7,729,878      14,999,523
                                                     -----------     -----------
                                                                                
Investments (Note 1):                                                           
  Long-term marketable securities                      6,533,490               -
                                                     -----------     -----------

Property and Equipment, at cost (Note 1):                                       
  Machinery and equipment                              2,189,139       2,378,851
  Furniture and fixtures                                 122,934         156,048
  Leasehold improvements                                 279,181         378,998
                                                     -----------     -----------
                                                       2,591,254       2,913,897
                                                                                
  Less--Accumulated depreciation and amortization      2,124,234       2,331,145
                                                     -----------     -----------
                                                         467,020         582,752
                                                     -----------     -----------
                                                 
Other Assets, net (Note 7):                                    -         627,154
                                                     -----------     -----------
                                                                                

                                                     $14,730,388     $16,209,429
                                                     ===========     ===========
                                                                               
<CAPTION> 
                                                     ---------March 31,--------
        Liabilities and Stockholders' Investment         1995            1996
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>     
Current Liabilities:                                    
  Accounts payable                                   $   198,280    $   777,943
  Accrued expenses (Note 9)                            1,227,379      1,486,981
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                     -----------    ----------- 
       Total current liabilities
                                                       1,425,659      2,264,924
                                                     -----------    -----------

                                                                               
                                                                               
Commitments (Notes 5 and 7)                                                    
                                                                               
Stockholders' Investment (Notes 2, 6 and 7):                                   
  Class B Preferred Stock, $.01 par value-                                     
    Authorized--1,000,000 shares                                               
    Issued and outstanding--none                               -              -
  Common Stock, $.01 par value-                                                
    Authorized--25,000,000 shares                                              
    Issued and outstanding--4,885,852 shares and                               
      5,518,054 shares at March 31, 1995 and 1996, 
      respectively                                        48,859         55,180
  Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value-                     
    Authorized--2,346,000 shares                
    Issued and outstanding--2,040,000 shares and
      1,428,000 shares at March 31, 1995 and 1996,
      respectively                                        20,400         14,280
   Additional paid-in capital                         36,476,770     36,625,221
   Accumulated deficit                               (23,241,300)   (22,750,176)
                                                     -----------    ----------- 
  Total stockholders' investment                      13,304,729     13,944,505 
                                                     -----------    ----------- 

                                                     $14,730,388    $16,209,429 
                                                     ===========    ===========
                                                     
</TABLE>

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.

                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                         ABIOMED, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                     Consolidated Statements of Operations



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
                                   -----------Years Ended March 31,------------
                                        1994           1995           1996
 
Revenues (Note 1):
<S>                                <C>             <C>            <C>
  Products                           $ 4,647,803    $ 6,892,931    $ 9,725,332
  Contracts                            2,027,229      2,337,505      3,118,278
                                     -----------    -----------    -----------
 
                                       6,675,032      9,230,436     12,843,610
                                     -----------    -----------    -----------
 
Costs and Expenses:
  Cost of products                     2,211,354      3,288,833      3,921,319
  Research and development (Note 1)    2,430,256      2,464,519      3,218,211
  Selling, general and                 4,552,909      4,278,392      5,740,830
   administrative                    -----------    -----------    -----------
 
                                       9,194,519     10,031,744     12,880,360
                                     -----------    -----------    -----------
 
Net Loss  From Operations             (2,519,487)      (801,308)       (36,750)
 
  Interest and other income              536,959        449,124        527,874
                                     -----------    -----------    -----------
 
Net Income (loss)                    $(1,982,528)   $  (352,184)   $   491,124
                                     ===========    ===========    ===========
 
Net Income (loss) per Common              $(0.31)        $(0.05)         $0.07
 Share (Note 1)                      ===========    ===========    ===========
 
Weighted Average Number of
 Common and Common Equivalent    
 Shares Outstanding (Note 1)          6,461,234      6,511,777      6,995,664
                                     ===========    ===========    ===========
 
 
</TABLE>

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.

                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                         ABIOMED, INC. AND Subsidiaries

              Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Investment

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Class A
                                 Common Stock            Common Stock             Additional                              Total
                               Number     $.01         Number     $.01             Paid-in          Accumulated       Stockholders'
                             of Shares  Par Value    of Shares  Par Value          Capital            Deficit          Investment
<S>                          <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>               <C>                 <C>
Balance, March 31, 1993       4,406,629    $44,066   2,040,000     $20,400        $33,301,936       ($20,906,588)      $12,459,814
 Stock options exercised         24,181        242           -           -             97,011                  -            97,253
 Stock issued under employee
  stock purchase plan             1,876         19           -           -             14,295                  -            14,314
 Net loss                             -          -           -           -                  -         (1,982,528)       (1,982,528)
                              ---------    -------   ---------     -------        -----------      -------------       -----------
 
Balance, March 31, 1994       4,432,686     44,327   2,040,000      20,400         33,413,242        (22,889,116)       10,588,853
 Stock options exercised          1,100         11           -           -              6,314                  -             6,325
 Stock issued under employee
  stock purchase plan               639          7           -           -              3,873                  -             3,880
 Stock issued in exchange for
  amount due to Abiomed     
  Limited Partnership           451,427      4,514           -           -          3,053,341                  -         3,057,855
 Net loss                             -          -           -           -                  -           (352,184)         (352,184)
                              ---------    -------   ---------     -------        -----------      -------------       -----------
 
Balance, March 31, 1995       4,885,852     48,859   2,040,000      20,400         36,476,770        (23,241,300)       13,304,729
 Conversion of Class A  
  Common Stock to Common                                                                                                           
  Stock                         612,000      6,120    (612,000)     (6,120)                 -                  -                 - 
              
 Stock options exercised         19,425        194           -           -            143,018                  -           143,212
 Stock issued under employee
  stock purchase plan               777          7           -           -              5,433                  -             5,440
 Net income                           -          -           -           -                  -            491,124           491,124
                              ---------    -------   ---------     -------        -----------      -------------       -----------
 
Balance, March 31, 1996       5,518,054    $55,180   1,428,000     $14,280        $36,625,221      $ (22,750,176)      $13,944,505
                              =========    =======   =========     =======        ===========      =============       ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.

                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                        ABIOMED, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                    -----------Years Ended March 31,----------
                                         1994           1995          1996
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
 ACTIVITIES:
<S>                                 <C>             <C>           <C>
 Net income (loss)                    $(1,982,528)    $(352,184)    $  491,124
 Adjustments to reconcile net
  income (loss) to net cash
  (used in) provided by operating
  activities-
   Depreciation and amortization          339,439       353,293        349,756
   Noncash transactions related to
    Abiomed Limited Partnership           (35,666)     (251,883)             -
   Changes in assets and liabilities-
    Accounts receivable                  (898,867)      (73,518)      (830,555)
    Inventories                          (711,156)      815,518       (244,232)
    Prepaid expenses and other            
     current assets                        37,204        58,530        (38,450) 
    Accounts payable                      (76,522)      (65,894)       579,663
    Accrued expenses                      (84,964)      428,244        259,602
                                      -----------     ---------     ----------
 
        Net cash (used in) provided  
         by operating activities       (3,413,060)      912,106        566,908
                                      -----------     ---------     ---------- 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 (Purchases) maturities of              
  investments, net                      3,287,652      (604,618)     2,701,323 
 Purchases of property and                                                      
  equipment                              (198,560)     (132,087)      (322,642) 
 Purchases of Abiomed Limited
  Partnership units from limited       
  partners (Note 7)                             -             -       (770,000)
                                      -----------     ---------     ----------
 
 
 
        Net cash provided by (used in)       
         investing activities           3,089,092      (736,705)     1,608,681
                                      -----------     ---------     ----------
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 Registration fees and costs in                                                
   connection with exchange of common 
   stock for amounts due to                     
   Abiomed Limited Partnership                  -       (51,573)             -
 Proceeds from exercise of stock                                               
   options and stock purchase plan        111,567        10,205        148,652
 Amounts advanced to Abiomed                                                   
   Limited Partnership                     (7,011)            -              -
                                      -----------     ---------     ----------
        Net cash (used in) provided by 
         financing activities             104,556       (41,368)       148,652
                                      -----------     ---------     ---------- 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
 AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,                 
 excluding investments                   (219,412)      134,033      2,324,241 
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
 EXCLUDING INVESTMENTS,              
 at beginning of year                     699,470       480,058        614,091
                                      -----------     ---------     ----------
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
 EXCLUDING INVESTMENTS, AT 
 end of year                          $   480,058     $ 614,091     $2,938,332
                                      ===========     =========     ==========
</TABLE>

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.

                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                         ABIOMED, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                   Notes to consolidated financial statements
                                 March 31, 1996


(1)  Summary of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

   ABIOMED(R), Inc. (the Company) is engaged primarily in the research,
   development and commercialization of medical devices, with a primary focus on
   the development of cardiac support systems.  The Company has received FDA
   approval for certain products.  In particular, in November 1992 the Company
   received FDA approval for its BVS-5000(R) system, a bi-ventricular temporary
   artificial heart, from which the majority of the Company's present product
   revenues are derived.  The accompanying consolidated financial statements
   reflect the application of certain significant accounting policies described
   below.

   (a) Principles of Consolidation                                            
                                                                              
       The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts 
       of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, ABIOMED              
       Cardiovascular, Inc., ABIOMED R&D, Inc., ABIODENT, Inc., Abiomed       
       Research and Development, Inc., ABD Holding Company, Inc., and,        
       beginning in fiscal 1996, the accounts of its majority-owned subsidiary 
       Abiomed Limited Partnership. All significant intercompany accounts and 
       transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.                     

   (b) Uses of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

       The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
       accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
       assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
       and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
       financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses
       during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
       estimates.

   (c) Product Revenues

       The Company recognizes revenues on products at the time the products are
       shipped to the customers. Service revenues, which are not material, are
       recognized over the period of the contract. In fiscal 1994, 1995 and
       1996, 17%, 13% and 9%, respectively, of product revenues were to
       customers located outside of the United States. No customer accounted
       for greater than 10% of product revenues during fiscal 1994, 1995 or
       1996.

   (d) Contract Accounting

       The Company accounts for contracts by applying the percentage-of-
       completion method. The percentage of completion under these contracts is
       determined by relating the actual cost of work performed to date on each
       contract to the contract's estimated final cost. For contracts

                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                         ABIOMED, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                   Notes to consolidated financial statements
                                 March 31, 1996
                                  (Continued)

(1) Summary of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

   (d) Contract Accounting (continued)

       that extend over one year, revisions in cost and profit estimates during
       the course of the contract work are reflected in the accounting period
       during which the facts that require the revision become known.

       In fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996, all of the Company's research and
       development contract revenues were generated from contracts and grants
       with various government agencies.  Each of these contracts and grants
       provide for revenues on a cost-plus-fixed-fee basis.  The Company retains
       the rights to all technological discoveries and products resulting from
       these efforts. Costs associated with these contracts and grants are
       recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as part of
       research and development expenses and totaled approximately $1,516,000,
       $1,718,000 and $2,457,000 for fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.

   (e) Inventories

       Inventories include raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods,
       are priced at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market and
       consist of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                               -------March 31,--------
                                  1995         1996    
            <S>                <C>          <C>        
            Raw materials       $  339,686   $  799,548
            Work-in-process        412,956      428,287
            Finished goods         656,638      425,677
                                ----------   ----------
                                $1,409,280   $1,653,512
                                ==========   ========== 
</TABLE>

       Finished goods and work-in-process inventories consist of direct
       material, labor and overhead.

   (f) Depreciation and Amortization

       The Company provides for depreciation and amortization by charges to
       operations in amounts that allocate the cost of depreciable assets over
       their estimated useful lives as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                        Estimated
     Classification                 Method             Useful Life
<S>                        <C>                        <C> 
 
Machinery and equipment    Sum-of-the-year's digits/     3- 5 Years
                             straight-line
Furniture and fixtures     Sum-of-the-year's digits/     5-10 Years
                             straight-line
Leasehold improvements     Straight-line              Life of lease
</TABLE>

                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
                        ABIOMED, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                   Notes to consolidated financial statements
                                 March 31, 1996
                                  (Continued)

(1)  Summary of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

   (g) Net Income (Loss) per Common Share

       Net income per common and common equivalent share is computed by dividing
       net income by the weighted average number of common and common equivalent
       shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Net
       loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted
       average number of common shares outstanding during the period. No common
       equivalent shares are considered dilutive in periods, such as the fiscal
       years ended March 31, 1994 and March 31, 1995, in which a loss is
       reported because all such common equivalent shares are antidilutive.

   (h) Cash and Cash Equivalents

       The Company classifies any marketable security with an original maturity
       date of 90 days or less at the time of purchase as a cash equivalent.

   (i) Investments

       The Company classifies any security, including marketable securities,
       with an original maturity of greater than 90 days as investments and
       classifies investments with a maturity of greater than one year from the
       balance sheet date as long-term investments.

       Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards SFAS No. 115,
       Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,
       investments that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold
       to maturity are reported at amortized cost and classified as held-to-
       maturity.  The Company has classified all investments at March 31, 1995
       and 1996 as held-to-maturity.

       The amortized cost and market value of short-term investments were
       approximately $3,877,000 and $3,866,000 at March 31, 1995 and $7,709,000
       and $7,545,000 at March 31, 1996, respectively. Gross unrealized losses
       on short-term investments for the year ended March 31, 1995 and 1996 were
       approximately $7,000 and $28,000, respectively. At March 31, 1995 the
       amortized cost and market value of long-term investments were
       approximately $6,533,000 and $6,248,000, respectively. Gross unrealized
       losses on long-term investments was approximately $144,000 at March 31,
       1995.

   (j) Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

       Effective March 31, 1996, the Company adopted SFAS No. 107, Disclosures
       about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, which requires that the
       Company disclose estimated fair values of certain of its financial
       instruments. As of March 31, 1996, the Company's financial instruments
       were comprised of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable,
       accounts payable and short-term investments. The carrying amounts of
       these financial instruments, except for short-term investments (see Note
       1(i) ) approximate their estimated fair values.

                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                         ABIOMED, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                   Notes to consolidated financial statements
                                 March 31, 1996
                                  (Continued)

(1)  Summary of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

   (k) Recent Accounting Developments

       For fiscal 1997, under SFAS No. 121 Accounting for the Impairment of
       Long-lived Assets and for Long-lived Assets  to be Disposed of, the
       Company is required to review impairment of long-lived assets and certain
       intangibles whenever events indicate that the carrying amount of the
       assets may not be recoverable. The adoption of this statement is not
       expected to have a material impact on the Company's results of
       operations.

   (l) Reclassifications

       The accompanying consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 1994
       and 1995 contain certain accounts that have been reclassified to conform
       with the current March 31, 1996 presentation.


(2)  Capital Stock

     Each share of Common Stock has a voting right of one vote per share and
     generally has the right to elect, as a class, at least 25% of the Company's
     directors.  Each share of Common Stock is entitled to receive 5% more in
     distributions per share than each share of the Class A Common Stock when
     the Company declares a dividend (other than a stock dividend) or
     liquidating distribution.

     Each share of Class A Common Stock has a voting right of 10 votes per share
     and may be converted at any time into one share of Common Stock at the
     election of the holder. During fiscal 1996, 612,000 shares of Class A
     Common Stock were converted to Common Stock. All remaining shares of Class
     A Common Stock automatically convert into Common Stock upon the occurrence
     of certain events. In particular, all Class A Common shares automatically
     convert to Common Stock and thereby lose their preferential voting rights,
     if any such shares held by the Company's founder are sold.

     The Company has authorized 1,000,000 shares of Class B Preferred Stock,
     $.01 par value, of which the designation, rights and privileges can be set
     by the Board of Directors. No shares of Class B Preferred Stock have been
     issued or are outstanding.

(3)  Line of Credit with a Bank

     The Company has an unsecured demand line of credit under which it can
     borrow up to $3,000,000 from a bank at the bank's prime rate (8.25% at
     March 31, 1996). The Company is required to maintain a compensating balance
     of $100,000 plus 5% of any amounts outstanding under the arrangement. This
     line expires in December 1996. There were no borrowings under the Company's
     line of credit at March 31, 1995 and 1996.

                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                         ABIOMED, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                   Notes to consolidated financial statements
                                 March 31, 1996
                                  (Continued)

(4)  Income Taxes

     The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the provisions of
     SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. The asset and liability approach
     used under SFAS No. 109 requires a recognition of deferred tax assets and
     liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary
     differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of other assets
     and liabilities.

     At March 31, 1996 the Company had available net operating loss
     carryforwards of approximately $20,402,000. The Company also had available,
     at March 31, 1996, approximately $630,000 of tax credits to reduce future
     federal income taxes, if any. The net operating loss and tax credit
     carryforwards expire through 2010. These carryforwards are subject to
     review by the Internal Revenue Service and may be subject to limitation in
     any given year under certain conditions.

     During 1996, the Company utilized a portion of its net operating loss
     carryforward to reduce its current year taxable income. The Company has not
     given recognition to any of these future tax benefits in the accompanying
     consolidated financial statements due to the uncertainty surrounding the
     timing of the realization of the tax benefits. The Company has placed a
     valuation allowance of approximately $10,463,000 as of March 31, 1996
     against its otherwise recognizable net deferred tax asset.



     The deferred tax asset as of March 31, 1995 and 1996 consisted of the
     following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1995           1996    
                                                                           
           <S>                                  <C>            <C>         
           Purchase of technology (Note 7)      $  1,826,000   $  1,573,000
           Net operating loss and tax credit                               
             carryforwards                         8,900,000      8,792,000
           Other, net                                595,000         98,000
                                                ------------   ------------
                                                                           
                                                  11,321,000     10,463,000
                                                                           
           Less--Valuation allowance             (11,321,000)   (10,463,000)
                                                ------------   ------------
                                                                           
                                                $          -   $          -
                                                ============   ============ 
 
</TABLE>

(5)  Commitments

     The Company leases its facilities and certain equipment under various
     operating lease agreements with terms through fiscal 2001. Total rent
     expense under these leases, included in the accompanying consolidated
     statements of operations, was approximately $265,000, $262,000 and $233,000
     for fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.

                                      F-10
<PAGE>
 
                         ABIOMED, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                   Notes to consolidated financial statements
                                 March 31, 1996
                                  (Continued)

(5)  Commitments (continued)


     Future minimum lease payments under these agreements are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
                                        Amount  
              Years Ended March 31,             
              <S>                      <C>      
              1997                      $258,000
              1998                       207,000
              1999                       147,000
              2000                        20,000
              2001                         6,000
                                        --------
                                                
                                        $638,000
                                        ======== 
</TABLE>
(6)  Stock Option Plans

     All stock options granted by the Company under the below described plans
     were granted at the fair value of the stock at the date of grant.
     Outstanding stock options, if not exercised, expire 10 years from the date
     of grant.
     
     The 1992 Combination Stock Option Plan (the Combination Plan), approved by
     the Company's stockholders in September 1992, combined and restated the
     Company's then outstanding Incentive Stock Option Plan and Nonqualified
     Plan. The options generally become exercisable ratably over five years. All
     options granted under the Combination Plan during the three years ended
     March 31, 1996 were to employees.

     In addition, the Company has a nonqualified stock option plan for
     nonemployee directors (the Directors' Plan). The Directors' Plan, as
     adopted in July 1989 and amended, with shareholder approval, in August
     1992, granted options to purchase 12,500 shares of the Company's Common
     Stock to each of the Company's then elected outside directors and provides
     for grants of options to purchase 12,500 shares of the Company's Common
     Stock to any newly elected eligible director. Thereafter, each eligible
     director will be granted a new option to purchase 12,500 shares of Common
     Stock on July 1 of each successive fifth year. These options vest over a
     five-year period at the rate of 2,500 shares per year, commencing on June
     30 of the year following the date of grant.

                                      F-11
<PAGE>
 
                         ABIOMED, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                   Notes to consolidated financial statements
                                 March 31, 1996
                                  (Continued)

(6)  Stock Option Plans (continued)


     The following table summarizes stock option activity under these plans:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                          ------Combination Plan-----  -----Directors' Plan-----
                                           Number of                   Number of
                                            Options    Exercise Price   Options   Exercise Price
<S>                                       <C>        <C>               <C>       <C>
Options outstanding, March 31, 1993        411,685      0.55- 13.50     95,000      7.00-  13.88
  Options granted                          213,200      7.25-  8.00          -           -      
  Options exercised                        (24,181)     0.55-  5.75          -           -      
  Options canceled                        (189,874)     5.75- 13.50          -           -       
                                          --------   ----------------  -------   ---------------
 
Options outstanding, March 31, 1994        410,830      0.55- 13.50     95,000      7.00-  13.88
  Options granted                           17,000     5.625-  6.50          -           -      
  Options exercised                         (1,100)     5.75-  5.75          -           -       
  Options canceled                         (31,500)     5.75- 13.50          -           -         
                                          --------   ----------------  -------   ---------------
 
Options outstanding, March 31, 1995        395,230      0.55- 13.50     95,000      7.00-  13.88
  Options granted                          219,000      6.25- 11.00     12,500             11.00
  Options exercised                        (16,925)     5.75-  8.50     (2,500)             7.00
  Options canceled                         (19,140)     5.75- 13.50    (15,000)    11.00-  11.13
                                          --------   ----------------  -------   ---------------
 
Options outstanding, March 31, 1996        578,165     $0.55-$13.50     90,000     $7.00- $13.88
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
Options exercisable, March 31, 1996        189,979     $0.55-$13.50     57,500     $7.00- $13.88
                                          ========   ================  =======   ===============
 
Shares available for future issuance,
 March 31, 1996                            387,854                     107,500    
                                          ========                     ======= 
                                                                               
 
</TABLE>

The Company has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the Purchase Plan). Under the
Purchase Plan, all employees (including officers and directors) of the Company
who have completed 18 months of employment are eligible to purchase the
Company's Common Stock at an exercise price equal to 85% of the fair market
value of the Common Stock. The Company has reserved 100,000 shares of Common
Stock for issuance under the Purchase Plan, of which 91,834 shares are available
for future issuance as of March 31, 1996. During the years ended March 31, 1995
and 1996, 639 shares and 777 shares, respectively, of Common Stock were sold
pursuant to the Purchase Plan. The Company records stock compensation in
accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock
Issued to Employees.

                                      F-12
<PAGE>
 
                         ABIOMED, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                   Notes to consolidated financial statements
                                 March 31, 1996
                                  (Continued)

(7)  Abiomed Limited Partnership

     Abiomed Limited Partnership (the Partnership), was established in 1985 to
     provide initial funding for the Company's product development. At present,
     the Partnership is inactive except with respect to distribution of
     royalties from the Company to third-party investor limited partners.

     During fiscal 1996, the Company increased its ownership of the Partnership
     to approximately 61.7% from 10.9% at which time the Company consolidated
     the Partnership. The remaining 38.3% of the Partnership is owned by third-
     party investor limited partners. The minority interest attributed to this
     third-party ownership was approximately $70,000 as of March 31, 1996 and
     was included in accounts payable. Commencing April 1, 1995 and ending
     August 3, 2000, the Company owes a royalty to these third-party investor
     limited partners equal to approximately 2.1% of certain revenues derived
     from two of the Company's products, the BVS 5000 and SupraCor(R) (formerly
     ICS). This royalty is subject to certain maximum amounts and to certain
     additional adjustments in the event that the Company sells the technology.
     For the year ended March 31, 1996, the amount of this royalty, net of
     certain reimbursed expenses, was approximately $160,000 and is reflected as
     part of the cost of product sales in the accompanying consolidated
     statement of operations.

     Further details with respect to the Partnership are as follows:

     (a) Ownership

         The Partnership consists of 1) one hundred thirty-five limited units,
         each of which prior to fiscal 1996 was owned by third-party investors,
         unrelated to the Company; 2) a sole general partner, which is the
         Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Abiomed Research and Development,
         Inc.; 3) and a special limited partner, which is the Company's wholly
         owned subsidiary, ABIOMED Cardiovascular, Inc. (Cardiovascular). In
         aggregate, the limited partner units combine to hold a 89.1% interest
         in the Partnership. Since the inception of the Partnership, the Company
         has held an interest in the Partnership comprised of 1.0% as general
         partner and 9.9% as special limited partner. During fiscal 1996, the
         Company purchased seventy-seven of the one hundred thirty-five limited
         partner units thereby increasing the Company's aggregate ownership in
         the Partnership from 10.9% to approximately 61.7%. The Company paid
         $770,000 for these seventy-seven limited partner units which is
         classified as a long-term other asset in the accompanying consolidated
         financial statements, net of accumulated amortization. The Company is
         amortizing this asset on a straight-line basis over five years, the
         estimated useful life of the technology.

     (b) Use of Initial Partnership Funds for Development

         In connection with the 1985 formation of the Partnership, the
         Partnership entered into a research and development agreement (the
         Agreement) with the Company whereby the Company performed certain
         research and development activities for the Partnership. Under the

                                      F-13
<PAGE>
 
                         ABIOMED, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                   Notes to consolidated financial statements
                                 March 31, 1996
                                  (Continued)

(7)  Abiomed Limited Partnership (continued)

     (b) Use of Initial Partnership Funds for Development(continued) 
         terms of the Agreement, the Company loaned to the Partnership
         $3,080,647 for additional development of the Products through May 24,
         1989. Interest on this loan accrued at a bank's prime rate plus 1%
         through March 29, 1995 when, as discussed below, the full amount of
         loan principal and interest was settled. For fiscal 1994 and 1995
         interest income of $347,000 and $403,000, respectively, has been
         recorded as an offset against selling, general and administrative
         expenses. Prior to settlement in March 1995, this note receivable and
         related accrued interest receivable were netted against the liability
         owed to the Partnership from the technology purchase option discussed
         below.

     (c) Exercise of Purchase Options and Satisfaction of Net Minimum Royalty
         Obligation

         On August 3, 1990, Cardiovascular exercised its options to acquire all
         of the Partnership's rights, title and interest in the Products and in
         the technology developed under the Agreement. Under the purchase
         options, Cardiovascular is obligated through August 3, 2000 to make
         royalty payments to the Partnership of 5.5% of the revenues from the
         Products, as defined, subject to limits of $16,006,000 and $33,807,000
         in the aggregate for BVS and SupraCor, respectively and subject to
         minimum royalty payments for the period ended March 31, 1995 of
         $2,853,390 and $6,413,010 for BVS and SupraCor, respectively (the
         Minimum Royalty Amounts). This 5.5% royalty and related limits are
         gross amounts and do not reflect the Company's ownership interest in
         the Partnership. On a net basis, after reflecting the Company's 61.7%
         interest in the Partnership, the royalty is approximately 2.1% of these
         revenues rather than 5.5%.

         On March 29, 1995, the Company issued 451,427 shares of Common Stock to
         the Partnership in satisfaction of the limited partners' 89.1% interest
         in the $3,489,818 Net Minimum Royalty Obligation. The Company and the
         Partnership agreed to waive payment by the Company of the Company's
         10.9% interest in the Net Minimum Royalty Obligation. In accordance
         with the terms of the Agreement, the Common Stock issued to the
         Partnership was valued based on the average closing price of the Common
         Stock for the ten trading days immediately preceding the date of
         issuance.

(8)  Employee Deferred Compensation Profit-sharing Plan and Trust

     The Company has an Employee Deferred Compensation Profit-sharing Plan and
     Trust (the 401(k) Plan) that covers all employees over 20 years of age who
     have completed at least six months of service with the Company.
     Contributions by the Company are determined by the Company's Board of
     Directors and totaled approximately $31,000 and $36,000 for the fiscal
     years ended March 31, 1994 and 1995 respectively. The accompanying
     consolidated financial statements include a fiscal 1996 provision of
     approximately $80,000 for this purpose, the actual contribution of which is
     pending presentation to and approval by the Company's Board of Directors.

                                      F-14
<PAGE>
 
                         ABIOMED, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                   Notes to consolidated financial statements
                                 March 31, 1996
                                  (Continued)
(9)  Accrued Expenses

     Accrued expenses consist of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                               --------March 31,-------
                               1995               1996
 
<S>                      <C>                 <C>
Salaries and benefits     $  447,669         $  703,478
Legal and audit               91,670             72,436
Customer advances            281,528             56,067
Sales taxes                   60,178            214,521
Warranty                      30,000             72,662
Other                        316,334            367,817
                          ----------         ----------
                          $1,227,379         $1,486,981
                          ==========         ==========
 
</TABLE>
(10) Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash  Investing and Financing Activity

     The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the following
     noncash investing and financing activity in the years ended March 31, 1995
     and 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                        ------March 31,------
                                          1995         1996
<S>                                      <C>          <C>
Due to Abiomed Limited Partnership       $ 3,489,818        -
Investment in Abiomed Limited               
 Partnership                                (380,390)       - 
Common Stock Issued to Abiomed Limited
   Partnership                            (3,109,428)       -
                                        ------------
 
</TABLE>

                                       F-15

<PAGE>
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our
report included in the Form 10-K, into the Company's previously filed 
Registration Statements File No. 33-23053, No. 33-38030 and No. 33-65192.



                                                         /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                                         -----------------------
                                                         ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Boston, Massachusetts
June 21, 1996

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED
INCOME STATEMENT, CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW
STATEMENT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                                         <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                     YEAR 
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         MAR-31-1996  
<PERIOD-START>                            APR-01-1995  
<PERIOD-END>                              MAR-31-1996  
<CASH>                                        2,938,332
<SECURITIES>                                  7,709,110
<RECEIVABLES>                                 2,606,289
<ALLOWANCES>                                    111,000
<INVENTORY>                                   1,653,512
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             14,999,523
<PP&E>                                        2,913,897
<DEPRECIATION>                                2,331,145
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               16,209,429
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         2,264,924
<BONDS>                                               0
<COMMON>                                         69,460
                                 0
                                           0
<OTHER-SE>                                   13,875,045
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 16,209,429
<SALES>                                      12,843,610
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             12,843,610
<CGS>                                         7,139,530
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 7,139,530
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                      0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            (527,874)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 491,124
<INCOME-TAX>                                          0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             491,124
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                    491,124
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      0.07 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      0.07 
        


</TABLE>


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