Kirby, McInerney & Squire LLP Announces Class Action Lawsuit on Behalf of Thoratec Corporation Investors -- THOR


NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The law firm of Kirby McInerney & Squire, LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been commenced in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on behalf of all purchasers of Thoratec Corporation ("Thoratec" or the "Company") (Nasdaq:THOR) securities during the period from April 28, 2004 through June 29, 2004, inclusive (the "Class Period").

Please visit our website, which offers summary and detailed information concerning the suit at http://www.kmslaw.com/new_cases/thoratec/thoratec.htm or contact us by phone at (888) 529-4787 or by email at vlee@kmslaw.com for more information.

The action charges Thoratec and certain of its senior officers with violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. The alleged violations stem from the dissemination of false and misleading statements, which had the effect - during the Class Period - of artificially inflating the price of Thoratec's shares.

Investors allege that during the Class Period, the Company failed to disclose and misrepresented the following material adverse facts: (1) that defendants knew or recklessly disregarded the fact that the Company significantly underestimated the time and the resources necessary to develop a stable market for its much touted Destination Therapy; (2) that the Company exaggerated the ultimate size of the market for the Destination Therapy, while underplaying the risk presented by competitive products and alternative therapies; (3) that the Company ignored the reluctance of the medical community to treat non-critical patients with the product, in order to take advantage of the higher reimbursement levels available from Medicare beginning October 1, 2004; and (4) that as a consequence of the foregoing, defendants lacked a reasonable basis for their positive statements about the Company's growth and progress.

Kirby McInerney & Squire, LLP has specialized in complex litigation, including securities class actions, for several decades. The firm has repeatedly demonstrated its expertise in this field, and has been recognized by various courts which have appointed the firm to major positions in consolidated and multi-district litigation. The firm's efforts on behalf of shareholders in securities litigation have resulted in recoveries totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, and its achievements and quality of service have been chronicled in numerous published decisions. More information about the firm, class actions in general, or about the role of the lead plaintiff in a securities class action can be obtained through Kirby McInerney & Squire's website at http://www.kmslaw.com.

If you are a member of the class described above, you may, no later than October 4, 2004 move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff of the class, if you so choose, pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA"), 15 U.S.C. section 78u-4(a). A lead plaintiff is a representative party that acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Under certain circumstances, one or more class members may together serve as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery is not, however, affected by the decision whether or not to seek appointment as a lead plaintiff. For more information about the case, its claims, and your rights, you can contact:


 Vivian Lee

 KIRBY McINERNEY & SQUIRE, LLP
 830 Third Avenue, 10th Floor
 New York, New York  10022
 Telephone:  (212) 317-2300
 or Toll Free (888) 529-4787
 E-Mail: vlee@kmslaw.com

More information on this and other class actions can be found on the Class Action Newsline at www.primezone.com/ca.