Cardica Achieves Milestone Under Century Distribution Agreement

— Will Receive $2 Million Under Loan Commitment —

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Cardica, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRDC) today announced that it has achieved the first MicroCutter™ milestone under its distribution agreement and loan commitment with Century Medical, allowing Cardica to draw the first $2 million of an up to $4 million loan commitment from Century.

"We are pleased to have achieved this milestone within two weeks after signing the original agreement, bringing us access to additional capital as we continue to work with a select group of surgeons in Europe to gain initial experience and feedback for our MicroCutter XPRESS™ 30," said Bernard A. Hausen, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Cardica. "We continue to believe Century is the right distribution partner for our MicroCutter product line in Japan, and look forward to a positive ongoing collaboration ahead."

Under the terms of the agreement, which was announced earlier this month, the balance of all amounts drawn by Cardica will be due in September 2016, subject to certain conditions. Cardica expects to achieve the second milestone, which would enable Cardica to access additional amounts under the loan facility with Century, within the next several months.

About Cardica

Cardica designs and manufactures proprietary stapling and anastomotic devices for cardiac and laparoscopic surgical procedures. Cardica’s technology portfolio is intended to minimize operating time and enable minimally-invasive and robot-assisted surgeries. Cardica manufactures and markets its automated anastomosis systems, the C-Port® Distal Anastomosis Systems and PAS-Port® Proximal Anastomosis System, for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and has shipped over 36,000 units throughout the world. In addition, Cardica is developing the Cardica MicroCutter XPRESS™ 30, a true multi-fire laparoscopic stapling device designed to be used in a variety of procedures, including bariatric, colorectal, thoracic and general surgery. The Cardica MicroCutter products require 510(k) review and are not yet commercially available in the U.S.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking" statements, including all statements regarding the further development of Cardica’s MicroCutter product line and Cardica’s ability to satisfy the milestones that are conditions to Century’s loan obligation. Any statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. The words "will," "would" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause Cardica’s results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including that any future Cardica products face development, regulatory, reimbursement and manufacturing risks, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in Cardica’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011. Cardica expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein. You are encouraged to read Cardica’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.sec.gov.

SOURCE Cardica, Inc.