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SMALL BONE INNOVATIONS ANNOUNCES FIRST SURGERIES IN MALAYSIA THROUGH ITS ASIA PACIFIC JOINT VENTURE

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA & NY, NY: January 27, 2010 – SSmall Bone Innovations, Inc. (SBi), a leading, privately held orthopedics company focused exclusively on technologies and treatments for the small bones & joints, announced the first surgeries in Malaysia using SBi’s SR™ PIP (Surface Replacement Proximal Inter Phalangeal) replacement finger joints to reduce pain, restore form, function and motion. This followed the recently announced formation of SBi Asia Pacific Sdn. Bhd. (SBi APAC), a joint venture with Khazanah Nasional Berhad and Malaysian Technology Development Corporation Sdn. Bhd. that is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  

Ranjit Singh Gill, MBBS, FRCS, AM, a hand and microsurgery consultant at both the Pantai Medical Centre and Kuala Lumpur Sports Medicine Centre, completed the finger joint replacements at each facility using SBi’s SR™ PIP joint replacement devices on patients presenting with finger arthritis.

The SR™ PIP Implants are designed to replace the anatomic joint surfaces while, preserving the maximum amount of bone and minimizing soft tissue disruption. The SR™ PIP Implants consists of two pieces: one piece has two components, a cobalt chrome stem and an attached ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) component, and the other piece is a titanium alloy stem. Both stems have a textured surface that facilitates osseointegration.

Roohi Syed Waseem Ahmad, FRCS, MS Orthopaedics and Vice President of the Malaysian Society for Surgery of the Hand, who attended Dr. Gill’s first procedure, said: “We are delighted that SBi APAC is based in Malaysia so that SBi’s technologies and its dedication to the small bone & joint anatomies can more readily meet a growing demand for clinically proven treatments in Malaysia and the Asia Pacific region.  I first became familiar with these products through my work with L’Institut de la Main in Paris, France working with SBi’s international management.”

Dr. Gill said: “SBi’s formation of a joint venture in Malaysia is something of a breakthrough opportunity for us, because it not only brings SBi’s technologies to the Asia Pacific region, including the SRTM PIP implants, but also demonstrates SBi’s commitment to develop implants specifically designed for Asian anatomies.  Obviously, this is good news for thousands of patients and future arthritis sufferers.”

Anthony G. Viscogliosi, Chairman & CEO of SBi, said: “These first surgeries mark an important milestone for SBi, and the doctors and their patients as we embark on our objective to establish the company as the global first mover in the Asia Pacific region to provide a portfolio of arthroplasty and trauma reconstruction solutions for the small bone & joint anatomies.” 

About Small Bone Innovations, Inc.
Small Bone Innovations, Inc. (SBi), founded in 2004 by Viscogliosi Brothers, LLC, (VB), the New York-based merchant banking firm specializing in musculoskeletal/orthopedics, is the first company to focus purely on small bones & joints.  By integrating established companies and professionals in the field, SBi offers a broad, clinically proven portfolio of products and technologies to treat trauma and diseases in small bones & joints. SBi has facilities in New York; Morrisville, PA; Bourg-en-Bresse, France; Donaueschingen, Germany and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Forward-looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties impacting SBi’s business including increased competition; the ability of SBi to expand its operations and to attract and retain qualified professionals; technological obsolescence; general economic conditions; and other risks.

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