PRESS RELEASES

Contacts: Anthony G. Viscogliosi, Viscogliosi Bros., LLC (212) 583-9700 ext. 101
Chris Storer, Creative Partners (203) 705-9219

VISCOGLIOSI BROS., LLC ACQUIRES FIXANO, S.A., A LEADING FRENCH ORTHOPEDICS COMPANY

New York, NY: May 4, 2005 - Viscogliosi Bros., LLC (“VB”) completed its acquisition of the French orthopedic company, Fixano, S.A (“Fixano”), Bourg-en-Bresse, France. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Fixano S.A. is a privately-held French orthopedic company based near Lyon, France. The company specializes in developing, manufacturing, and marketing technologies in orthopedics, trauma, and spine. The company was founded by Jean-Jacques Martin in 1987, with an external fixation product line of ring fixators and in-house manufacturing. Fixano has long been a specialist in orthopedic and trauma devices. The company produces a comprehensive array of products that address internal and external fixation, spine, and joint replacement markets. In addition to its product development efforts, Fixano also maintains an ISO 9001 manufacturing facility at its Bourg-en-Bresse headquarters.

Fixano is currently poised to provide its array of orthopedic devices to the rest of Europe—a market currently estimated at $3.9 billion in annual sales, and growing. France, along with Germany, and Italy, comprise the bulk of the European orthopedics market. Fixano is in a prime position within Europe, with an extensive distribution network and solid surgeon relationships.

Anthony G. Viscogliosi, a Principal at VB, said: “We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with Fixano and help them to develop their entire product line. In my more than 15 years of experience in the orthopedic marketplace, I believe Fixano has one of the broadest, most innovate, highly indication-specific product portfolios of any private company I have examined. We aim to continue the Fixano tradition of managing surgeon relationships, developing innovative products, and distributing them internationally, while we supply the company with the augmented resources and the VB cultivated relationships that Fixano needs to enhance its global position. I look forward to helping Fixano build on their history of successes.”

Jean Jacques Martín, President and CEO of Fixano, said: “I am very excited by the opportunity to combine with the VB portfolio of companies. Fixano has traditionally grown, from both a product and market perspective, at a rate I am pleased with, given our resources. Now, with VB’s support, I expect we will finally realize the potential of our surgeon innovated products.”

Marc R. Viscogliosi, a Viscogliosi Bros., LLC Principal, added, “I am thrilled to work with Fixano’s remarkably talented management team and their revolutionary product lines, particularly the “U” non-fusion interspinous device. Together, our innovative products, years of experience, deep industry knowledge and close relationships with the world’s leading spine surgeons will continue to change the spine world.”

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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