PRESS RELEASES

Contacts: Anthony G. Viscogliosi, Viscogliosi Bros, LLC (212) 583-9700 ext. 100
Nick Kilsby, Creative Partners (203) 705-9202

SMALL BONE INNOVATIONS, LLC TO DEBUT AT AAOS CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON DC

New York, NY: February 21, 2005 - A new company formed by merchant bankers Viscogliosi Bros. LLC (VB) to create a single source of small bone & joint implant products will debut at this month’s American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual convention (Feb.23-27).

During the past year, VB has quietly acquired US and European companies and technologies in the ‘small bone’ field, as well as licensing and distribution rights for a unique Swedish biological treatment for arthritic thumbs and ‘Actipore™’ porous metal technology from Biorthex, Inc., Montreal, Canada. The group has been formed by VB under the new entity, Small Bone Innovations, LLC (SBI), headquartered in New York.

VB is regarded as a pioneering force in the discovery and development of promising orthopaedic technologies. In 2003, the firm sold its artificial spine disc company, Spine Solutions, Inc., to Synthes, Inc., of Switzerland, for $350 million. The firm has been credited with creating the concept of spine arthroplasty as an alternative to fusion in repairing spinal disc diseases.

Anthony G. Viscogliosi, Chairman and CEO of SBI and a principal of VB, said: “We recognized the potential for growth and innovation in small bone surgery a decade ago. With the prevalence of arthritis in our aging population, surgical techniques are a compelling alternative to drug therapy. As a result, we have translated that vision into a company quite different from competitors in the sector by becoming a vertically integrated, single source of products and technology for small bone & joint surgeons.”

SBI has more than 50 employees in the US and Europe and has assembled a broad portfolio of FDA-approved implants to treat both small bone & joint degenerative diseases and trauma patients.

As a result of the acquisitions, the company says it also has a pipeline of 40 new products under development. SBI’s acquisitions include: Avanta Orthopaedics, San Diego, CA; Envision Manufacturing, Morrisville, PA; and Xtremi-T, Lawrenceville, NJ. Also, SBI has secured rights to market and distribute ‘Artelon®’ bioabsorbable thumb spacers from Artimplant, SB of Vasta Frolunda, Sweden and ‘Actipore™’ porous metal technology from Biorthex, Inc., Montreal, Canada.

SBI will make its formal debut at the AAOS Convention & Exposition in the Washington, DC Conference Center, on February 23, with product demonstrations (at booth #3401) and a special industry briefing on Friday, February 25 at The Renaissance Hotel adjacent to the conference center.

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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