Press Releases

Small Bone Innovations, Inc. Increases Donation to Limb Salvage Centers of Devices from $500,000 to $1.2 Million

• Strengthening of limb salvage programs in key areas of need for the treatment of diabetic patients
• Program helps indigent diabetic patients in New York, Georgia and Iowa

NEW YORK, NY: March 6, 2009: Small Bone Innovations, Inc. (SBi), a single-source provider of innovation, products, technology and education for the small bone and joint sector, announced that it has increased the number of lower limb external fixation components donated to its Diabetes Indigent Care Program.

SBi hopes to encourage broader private sector help to surgeons treating diabetics who suffer from Charcot foot disease and ulceration associated with diabetes. To accomplish this goal, SBi has donated a variety of fixation devices, valued at approximately $1.2 million, during the past year to regional limb salvage programs serving indigent patients in the states of New York, Georgia, and Iowa.

The donation program is part of a campaign first announced by SBi in Dec ’07 by Anthony G. Viscogliosi, SBi’s Chairman & CEO during a speech at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine annual convocation. SBi hopes to encourage broader private sector help for indigent limb salvage throughout the US in an effort to aid diabetics who suffer from Charcot Foot Disease – a common complaint that can lead to lower limb amputation unless treated in its earlier stages.

SBi provided external fixation devices to the three limb salvage facilities to support bone and tissue re-growth in post-operative limbs.

“More than 75,000 non-traumatic amputations are being performed annually in this country, of which 85 percent may be preventable either through earlier diagnosis of diabetes-related diseases of the lower limb, or late-stage salvage using fixation technology of the type donated by SBi,” Mr.Viscogliosi said.

Scott Ludecker, Vice President of SBi’s newly created Worldwide Diabetes & Limb Preservation business unit, who initiated the SBi donation, said: "SBi is trying to help both patients and physicians when it comes to the issue of amputation vs. salvage, as there is often the potential of saving a limb, if the knowledge and equipment are readily available."

“In limb salvage or lengthening to correct deformity, the more training and the more hardware we receive – the more patients we can treat. It’s that simple,” said David Gitlin, DPM* and Instructor in Surgical Services at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine.

“Patients afflicted with Charcot Foot Disease and other musculoskeletal conditions resulting from diabetes can benefit, as demonstrated in these clinics, from our program to provide hardware and support services to advance the cause of limb salvage technology,” Mr. Viscogliosi added.

* The surgeons quoted in this announcement provide consulting services to SBi.

About Small Bone Innovations, Inc.
Small Bone Innovations, Inc. (SBi) was founded in 2004 by Viscogliosi Brothers, LLC, (VB), a New York-based merchant banking firm that specializes in the musculoskeletal/orthopedics sector. VB created SBi as 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. Today, SBi has more than 130 employees at facilities in New York, NY, Morrisville, PA, Bourg-en-Bresse, France and Donaueschingen, Germany, among other locations worldwide.

For more information on SBi, please visit: www.totalsmallbone.com

About Viscogliosi Bros., LLC
Established by Marc R. Viscogliosi, John J. Viscogliosi and Anthony G. Viscogliosi in New York City in 1999, Viscogliosi Bros., LLC (VB) was the first venture capital/private equity and merchant banking firm dedicated exclusively to the musculoskeletal/orthopedics sector of the health care industry. As principals of VB, the Viscogliosi brothers have a combined total of nearly half a century of experience analyzing and investing in the musculoskeletal/orthopedics sector.

VB’s mission is 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. The Viscogliosi brothers have pioneered more than 170 financial, strategic and management initiatives for companies in the musculoskeletal/orthopedic sector, from start-up, seed and development stage all the way to exit. These initiatives have helped people live better lives through the orthopedic and spinal products developed, marketed and sold by the companies VB has assisted in developing and financing.

For more information about VB, please visit: www.vbllc.com

Forward-looking statements
This press 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.