SORIN GROUP: Andre-Michel Ballester Appointed Chief Executive Officer

The Board of Directors of Sorin (MIL:SRN), meeting today in Milan under the chairmanship of Umberto Rosa, co-opted André-Michel Ballester onto the Board and appointed him Chief Executive Officer. Since 2004 André-Michel Ballester has been President of the Cardiac Rhythm Management Business Unit of Sorin Group, the largest European cardiovascular company and world leader in medical technologies for cardiac surgery. Ballester was, from 2000 to 2004, Corporate Vice President EMEA, Asia and Latin America for Edwards Lifesciences. For over ten years prior to Edwards’ spin-off from Baxter, Ballester also held several executive positions in Europe and in the USA, and was appointed President, CardioVascular Group, Europe in 1997. Born in Orleansville, Algeria, and raised in France, Ballester received his M.S. degree in Engineering from Ecole Centrale, Lille, France, and his M.B.A. from INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France. "Our new CEO is the originator of the strong growth shown by our Cardiac Rhythm Management business unit” commented the Chairman, Umberto Rosa. "This internal choice recognises unquestionable success. André-Michel will first focus on finalisation of Sorin Group’s new Strategic Plan, and actively start its implementation.” "I am extremely proud to become CEO of a great company with considerable pedigree, very innovative products and an outstanding team of people, helping treat more than one million patients per year around the world” said André-Michel Ballester. At the same time, the Board of Directors acknowledged the resignation of the Director Maurizio Dallocchio, thanking him for his considerable contribution to the development of the Company. About the Sorin Group The Sorin Group (Bloomberg: SRN.IM; Reuters: SORN.MI), a world leader in the development of medical technologies for cardiac surgery, offers innovative therapies for cardiac rhythm dysfunctions, interventional cardiology and the treatment of chronic kidney diseases. The Sorin Group includes these brands: Dideco, CarboMedics, COBE Cardiovascular, Stöckert, Mitroflow, ELA Medical, Sorin Biomedica, Bellco and Bellco-Soludia. At the Sorin Group 4,500 employees work to serve over 5,000 public and private treatment centers in more than 80 countries throughout the world. For more information, please visit: www.sorin.com