PRESS RELEASES

Contacts: Anthony G. Viscogliosi, Viscogliosi Bros, LLC (212) 583-9700 ext. 101
Nick Kilsby, Creative Partners (203) 705-9202

SECOND ANNUAL ERICA NADER AWARD, SPONSORED BY VISCOGLIOSI BROS., LLC, PRESENTED AT AMERICAN SPINAL INJURY ASSOCIATION (ASIA) ANNUAL MEETING

Dallas, TX: May 13, 2005 - The second annual Erica Nader Award, recognizing outstanding research in the field of spinal cord regeneration, has been presented to Damien Pearse, Ph.D., at the 31st Annual Scientific Meeting of The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA). The award is endowed by Viscogliosi Bros., LLC, (VB) a closely-held merchant banking / venture capital / private equity firm focused on the musculoskeletal/orthopedics industry.

The Award, made possible by VB’s commitment of three annual $10,000 donations to the American Spinal Injury Association, is named for Erica Nader, a Detroit, Michigan native who suffered debilitating spinal injuries in a car accident in October 2001. After spending two years in recovery from her accident in San Diego, Ms. Nader now resides in Detroit and is currently involved in a recovery program at the Detroit Medical Center’s renowned Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center.

In her own words, read on her behalf at the award ceremony, Ms. Nader stated, “Thank you to the Viscogliosi Brothers for endowing this award and fueling the fire for neuroregeneration research and spinal cord injury recovery, thank you to the American Spinal Injury Association for holding a conference that promotes innovation and recovery, and finally, thank you to Damien Pearse for bringing us one step closer to a better future.”

John J. Viscogliosi, a Principal at VB, on hand at the award presentation said, “My brothers and I established the Erica Nader Award last year to help stimulate new research and continue the quest for breakthroughs in spinal cord regeneration and treatment – all to help the thousands who suffer from spinal cord injuries. With Erica’s courage and ASIA’s commitment, it was an easy decision to make. This year, we are extremely happy that yet another truly special doctor has been chosen as the recipient of the Erica Nader Award.”

The Award is an unrestricted grant to foster life-changing advances in spinal cord regeneration. This year’s winner, Dr. Damien Pearse, is Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Dr. Jack E. Zigler, President of ASIA added, “Dr. Pearse is an outstanding young scientist in the field of nerve regeneration research. His breakthrough approach for neuroregeneration will potentially lead the way to profound functional improvements. ASIA congratulates Dr. Pearse on his groundbreaking scientific achievements and thanks Anthony, John and Marc Viscogliosi for their continued generosity.”
The third annual Erica Nader Award will be presented at the 2006 ASIA Annual Meeting, June 25-28, in Boston, Massachusetts.

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. They 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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