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Contacts: Anthony G. Viscogliosi, Viscogliosi Bros, LLC (212) 583-9700 ext. 101
Chris Storer, EKK PR (203) 406-8800 ext. 14

VISCOGLIOSI BROS., LLC ANNOUNCES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AMERICAN SPINAL INJURY ASSOCIATION (ASIA) ERICA NADER AWARD.

NEW YORK – June 30, 2004 – Viscogliosi Bros. LLC (VB), a closely-held venture capital/private equity and merchant banking firm focused on the musculoskeletal/orthopedics industry, is underwriting the American Spinal Injury Association’s (ASIA) Erica Nader Award for outstanding research in the field of spinal cord regeneration.

The Award was made possible by VB’s commitment of three annual $10,000 donations to ASIA. "The Erica Nader Award is the culmination of two years of discussions," said Jack Zigler, President of ASIA, "VB’s personal interest in the field of spinal cord injury research and my position in ASIA converged to establish this very worthy award."

The Erica Nader Award was announced at the recent Thirtieth Annual Meeting of ASIA in Denver. The award is named for a young woman from the Detroit area with a spinal cord injury that prompted the Viscogliosi family, originally from Dearborn, to take a personal interest in her condition.

Marc R. Viscogliosi, Principal of Viscogliosi Bros., LLC, said: "Erica has become a friend of our family and we hope that our commitment will stimulate new research and possibly a breakthrough to help the thousands who suffer from spinal cord injuries."

The Erica Nader Award is an unrestricted grant to foster life-changing advances in spinal cord regeneration. Unrestricted grants permit the purchase of equipment and supplies not provided for by most research grants. Dr. Zigler said, "The VB’s generosity will aid basic and clinical scientists through its three-year commitment to ASIA."

The inaugural winner of the Erica Nader Award is Ping Wu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Galveston. Dr. Wu’s work, which has led to breakthrough stem cell research in spinal cord nerve cells, embodies the purpose of the award, according to Dr. Zigler.

"Dr. Wu has developed a formula that pushes undifferentiated human stem cells to become nerve cells in culture dishes. Her discovery is a pre-eminent work in the field of spinal cord regeneration research," Dr. Zigler said. "Prior to this it was thought that human nerve cells could not be obtained from human stem cells." he added.

Ms. Nader said: "Dr. Wu’s discovery gives tremendous hope to patients, especially when you consider that just two years ago my doctors did not believe it would be possible to heal spinal cord injuries."

"Erica’s courage and her refusal to abandon hope inspired us to help establish this award," said Anthony G. Viscogliosi, Principal of Viscogliosi Bros., LLC.

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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