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 ANNOUNCES THE ADDITION OF GARY L. LOWERY, MD, PhD. AS MEDICAL DIRECTOR

NEW YORK – May 26, 2004 – Viscogliosi Bros., LLC (VB), a closely-held venture capital/private equity and merchant banking firm focused on the musculoskeletal/orthopedics industry, is proud to announce the addition of Gary L. Lowery, MD, PhD as Medical Director.

Dr. Lowery joined VB in April 2004 and will be an integral member of the firm assisting VB continuing its global achievements as a leader in the musculoskeletal/orthopedic sector.
Dr. Lowery is a world renowned spinal and orthopedic surgeon. Prior to joining VB he was Chief of Spine Surgery and Director of Orthopedic Research at the Phoenix Orthopedic Residency Program, as well as Medical Director of Research Institute International, Inc.

Anthony G. Viscogliosi, Principal of VB, said, “Dr. Lowery is one of the surgeons I have always held in the highest of regard since I began my career analyzing the orthopedic industry more than 14 years ago. As a scientist, surgeon, innovator, thought leader, and educator / trainer Dr. Lowery is one of the true visionaries in spine surgery and musculoskeletal/orthopedics healthcare.”

As a scientist, Dr. Lowery has been intimately involved at every critical level. He has been involved with preparing and executing 15 clinical trials and 10 IDE clinical trails, six of which he was the principal investigator. He has performed basic science in biomechanical testing and experimental animal protocols for devices and biologics in rats, sheep and baboons. Dr. Lowery has written more than 50 peer review articles and book chapters, and has made more than 250 scientific presentations throughout the world. Also, he has other experimental and clinical expertise: the use of autologous growth factors (Interpore Cross, now Biomet, Inc.), allograft products (Osteotech, Inc., Cortek, Inc.) for the stimulation of bone fusion, and other biologics.

As an innovator, Dr. Lowery has directly and indirectly improved patient care for many surgeons with his developments and refinements of surgical techniques and implants. His accomplishments include: the Orion Anterior Cervical Plate (Medtronic Sofamor Danek), the Acroflex Lumbar Total Disc Prosthesis (Acromed, now Johnson & Johnson Depuy Spine), and an integral role in the design of intervertebral titanium surgical mesh (Depuy Motech, now Johnson & Johnson Depuy Spine). Dr. Lowery has also been involved in the venture capital community assisting Endius, Inc., Cortek, Inc., and SpineVision, Inc., to obtain funding.

Dr. Lowery has historically been a thought leader creating market trends for the musculoskeletal/orthopedic and spine industries. Dr. Lowery was a leader in the development and acceptance of total artificial discs, working with Art Steffee, MD on the Acroflex Total Disc Replacement. He is also a founding board member of the Spine Arthroplasty Society (SAS), formed in 2000 to educate the spine surgeon community on non-fusion spine surgery technologies.

Dr. Lowery has educated and trained more than 200 hundred surgeons throughout the world, including 15 clinical and 6 research fellows. Dr. Lowery has been instrumental in the design and teaching of endoscopic lumbar surgery, both anterior approach (Acromed, now Johnson & Johnson Depuy Spine) and posterior approach (Endius, Inc.). Dr. Lowery was instrumental as a key surgeon and educator for several companies, most notably Danek Medical, Inc. (now Medtronic Sofamor Danek), Depuy Motech (now Depuy Spine), Synthes Spine, Endius, Inc., Osteotech, Inc., Cortek, Inc., and SpineVision, Inc.

VB strongly believes that Dr. Lowery adds an entirely new dimension to the firm. VB will draw on Dr. Lowery’s multi-faceted and successful career. “To have one of the world’s preeminent spinal surgeons working with us daily, improves our speed and efficiency. We believe this is one of our most valuable strategic decisions since our formation,” said Marc R. Viscogliosi, Principal of VB. “This certainly creates value within VB and will directly create value for our co-investors.”

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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