VANCOUVER, March 15 /CNW/ - Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(NASDAQ: ANPI; TSX: ANP) was advised yesterday by the Federal Trade Commissionthat the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Actof 1976 ("HSR Act") has terminated, allowing Angiotech to proceed with thepreviously announced acquisition of privately-held American MedicalInstruments Holdings, Inc. (AMI), subject to the satisfaction of the remainingclosing conditions. On February 16, 2006, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that ithad filed notification with the U.S. Department of Justice and the FederalTrade Commission of its intent to acquire AMI, in compliance with the pre-merger notification requirements of the HSR Act. About Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical companythat discovers and develops innovative treatment solutions for diseases orcomplications associated with medical device implants, surgical interventionsand acute injury or trauma. To find out more about Angiotech Pharmaceuticals,Inc. (NASDAQ: ANPI, TSX: ANP), please visit our website at www.angiotech.com . About American Medical Instruments American Medical Instruments Holdings, Inc. (AMI) is a leadingindependent manufacturer of a variety of single-use medical device productsfor specialty areas such as vascular surgery, interventional radiology,general surgery, wound closure, and minimally-invasive cosmetic surgery. AMIwas formed in 2003 following the purchase of a majority interest in severalmedical technology companies by RoundTable Healthcare Partners from The MarmonGroup. Statements contained herein that are not based on historical or currentfact, including without limitation statements containing the words"anticipates,""believes,""may,""continue,""estimate,""expects," and "will" andwords of similar import, constitute "forward-looking statements" within themeaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Suchforward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties andother factors that may cause the actual results, events or developments to bematerially different from any future results, events or developments expressedor implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, amongothers, the following: general economic and business conditions, bothnationally and in the regions in which the Company operates; technologychanges; competition; changes in business strategy or development plans; theability to attract and retain qualified personnel; existing governmentalregulations and changes in, or the failure to comply with, governmentalregulations; liability and other claims asserted against the Company; andother factors referenced in the Company's filings with the United StatesSecurities and Exchange Commission or the Canadian securities regulators.Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue relianceon such forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume the obligationto update any forward-looking statements.

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