Nov 1 (Reuters) - ABIOMED Inc:
* ABIOMED CEO MICHAEL MINOGUE TO RETIRE FOLLOWING CLOSE OF ACQUISITION BY J&J - CONF CALL
* J&J CFO SAYS COST SYNERGIES THAT MAY COME ABOUT FROM ABIOMED DEAL ARE VERY MODEST - CONF CALL
* J&J CEO SAYS WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT M&A AS A CRITICAL COMPONENT AS WE TRY TO SOURCE INNOVATION AND GROWTH EXTERNALLY - CONF CALL Further company coverage: