PRESS RELEASES

Contacts: Marc Viscogliosi, Viscogliosi Bros, LLC (212) 583-9700 ext. 103
Nick Kilsby, EKK PR (203) 406-8800 ext. 21

VISCOGLIOSI BROS., LLC APPOINTS DONALD GUTHNER TO MANAGE NEW CLINICAL ADVISORY UNIT

NEW YORK – April 29, 2004 – Viscogliosi Bros. LLC (VB), a closely-held venture capital/private equity and merchant banking firm focused on the musculoskeletal/orthopedics industry, has appointed Donald W. Guthner as Vice President of Musculoskeletal Clinical Regulatory Advisors, LLC (MCRA).

MCRA is a newly formed company whose mission is to enhance the value of VB client companies and assist others by managing and advising on clinical research and regulatory programs. MCRA will guide companies through the complex and difficult pathways leading to U.S. FDA regulatory approval of new products.

Focusing on orthopedic companies both within and outside VB’s existing investment portfolio, MCRA is positioned to increase synergies within the firm’s extensive network in the musculoskeletal/orthopedic sector of the healthcare industry.

Mr. Guthner brings considerable expertise and experience in the complexities associated with clinical and regulatory management. He has 25 years of experience in Class III Medical Devices, most recently assisting in the merger of Spine Solutions, Inc. (SSI) with Synthes-Stratec, Inc.’s U.S. spine business. He was the clinical and regulatory director for SSI during the post-merger transition period.

Mr. Guthner previously helped advance Synvisc® at Biomatrix, Inc in Ridgefield, NJ, (now Genzyme, Inc.), and was the Director of Clinical & Regulatory Affairs at Biolectron, Inc. when its SpinalPak® bone growth stimulator received approval by FDA.

Before focusing on orthopedics, Mr. Guthner worked with the Ophthalmic Medical Device divisions of Johnson and Johnson (IOLAB) and Alcon Laboratories, Inc.

Marc R. Viscogliosi, President of MCRA and a principal of VB, said: "Don Guthner provided the inspiration for establishing MCRA, and was the logical choice to lead the unit as a key element of our commitment to offer a full range of services to help build and develop companies in what is an exciting, dynamic sector of the healthcare market."

About Viscogliosi Bros., LLC
Established by Marc R. Viscogliosi, John J. Viscogliosi and Anthony G. Viscogliosi in New York City in 1999, VB was the first venture capital/private equity and merchant banking firm dedicated to the musculoskeletal/orthopedics sector of the health care industry. Today, VB is a leading independent firm with a mission to create, build and finance companies founded on innovations developed by surgeons and uniquely focused on "life changing" musculoskeletal/orthopedic technologies. VB has worldwide surgeon, industry and trade relationships and significant financial expertise in the musculoskeletal/orthopedic sector.

As principals of VB, the Viscogliosi brothers have a combined total of more than 35 years experience analyzing and investing in the musculoskeletal/orthopedics sector. The have pioneered innovative financial, strategic and management initiatives for companies in the sector, from start-up, seed and development stage all the way to exit, while helping thousands of people lead better lives through the orthopedic and spinal products marketed and sold by the companies they have assisted in developing and financing.
 
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