Trading Statement

Aortech International PLC
25 September 2002

                              AorTech International plc

                                   Trading Statement

AorTech International plc, the Scottish-based medical device company, announces
that it anticipates that there will be a reduction in its turnover for the six
month period to 30 September, 2002 relative to its turnover for the six month
period to 30 September, 2001.  The anticipated 45 % reduction in turnover is
attributable to a decrease in sub-contract work, together with a fall in both
the volume and unit price of heart valves in Europe and the Far East due to
aggressive competitor pricing and lower than expected TruCCOMS (Continuous
Cardiac Output Monitoring System) sales.  The anticipated fall in turnover will
be mirrored by a 40% increase in the loss for the period, of which one-off
rationalisation costs account for 50% of this increase.

As we have already announced, we have closed our US office and experienced
delays in the marketing and sales of TruCCOMS in Europe.  These delays have led
to reduced sales in the period to    30 September .  The Becton Dickinson
European distribution agreement will cease with effect from 30 September, 2002
and AorTech will then distribute and sell TruCCOMS via a separate distributor
network.  The updated TruCCOMS has been well received with 44 centres having
adopted the system and a further 65 currently evaluating it in Europe.

The restructuring programme is now complete which, as previously announced,
unfortunately necessitated implementing a number of redundancies throughout the
Company, including several at Director and Senior Management level.  With the
rationalisation programme completed, costs are already falling and this will
result in a significant reduction in the annual cash burn.

Bill Strachan, Chief Executive, AorTech International plc said:

'Although the interim results for the six month period to 30 September, 2002
will be disappointing, I am satisfied that the steps which have been taken over
the last two months to streamline and rationalise the organisation will enhance
the Company's medium and long term prospects.

'The focus is to deliver value to our shareholders by exploiting the potential
of the TruCCOMS system and on enhancing the underlying value of our Elast-Eon
material which includes the ongoing development of the Tri-leaflet Heart Valve.
Initial results in cardiac surgery confirm the promise for TruCCOMS,
particularly in 'off-pump cardiac surgery', software changes have been
implemented and feedback from customers is positive.

'I remain optimistic of the potential value of AorTech's technology base and
together with the Board and Management will make every effort to realise this
value on behalf of the Company and its shareholders'.

                                                              25 September, 2002



ENQUIRIES:

AorTech International plc                                    Tel: [phone]
Bill Strachan, CEO

College Hill                                                 Tel: [phone]
Michael Padley
Clare Warren




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