Synovis Life Technologies Announces Publication of Veritas® Study in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Synovis Life Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYNO), a diversified medical device company, announces today the online publication of a major study comparing the biomechanics of crosslinked and non-crosslinked biologic meshes, including the company’s Veritas^® Collagen Matrix, in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Published by Principal Investigator Dr. Brent Matthews in the Department of Reconstructive Surgery at Washington University, St. Louis, the study confirms the favorable attributes of Veritas in abdominal wall repair, such as ventral hernia surgery.

"The use of biologic mesh products has grown steadily over the past several years, and surgeons are eager for data directly comparing the various products now available,” commented Daniel L. Mooradian, Ph.D., Synovis vice president of R&D. "In a marketplace dominated by products of dermal origin, this study makes clear that strength of the implant does not determine strength of the repair, and provides compelling evidence of the superior remodeling capabilities of our pericardial-based Veritas.”

The study, which used a clinically relevant porcine model of abdominal hernia repair, demonstrated that Veritas was substantially stronger than adjacent abdominal wall tissue at the time of implant and resulted in a repair that remained stronger than abdominal wall tissue at all time-points for the one year duration of the study. Importantly for this application, there was no evidence of bulging or reherniation. Moreover, histologic analysis confirmed that non-crosslinked Veritas remodels, that is, accepts host tissue cells and blood vessels, more rapidly than all acellular dermal products studied while having the least encapsulation and chronic inflammatory response of the materials tested. These favorable remodeling characteristics are believed to positively influence post-surgical healing and to limit the negative clinical outcomes often associated with other products.

Richard W. Kramp, Synovis president and chief executive officer added, "Since the introduction of Veritas Collagen Matrix for abdominal wall repair in 2007, we have been pleased with physicians’ positive response to this important product. This study is the scientific cornerstone of our clinical performance, and the results confirm the advantageous remodeling attributes of Veritas which we believe will continue to drive clinical acceptance of Veritas and support reimbursement efforts in the United States and elsewhere.”

About Veritas
Veritas^® Collagen Matrix is a pericardial collagen matrix made with Synovis’ patented Veritas processing. An important characteristic of Veritas is its ability to remodel, that is, to accept host issue cell infiltration and support the rapid formation of new blood vessels to repair soft tissue defects more quickly and effectively than dermis-based products. Veritas is conformable, thin and strong; does not require rehydration before use; and withstands tension with minimal stretching. The product is one of the few materials to receive an FDA indication for minimal tissue attachment, a critical characteristic to prevent painful adhesions following hernia surgery. Synovis launched Veritas in the U.S. hernia repair market in early 2007, the U.S. breast reconstruction markets in early 2008 and in Europe in late 2009.

About Synovis Life Technologies
Synovis Life Technologies, Inc., a diversified medical device company based in St. Paul, Minn., develops, manufactures and markets biological and mechanical products used by several surgical specialties to facilitate the repair and reconstruction of soft tissue damaged or destroyed by disease or injury. The company’s products include implantable biomaterials for soft tissue repair, devices for microsurgery and surgical tools – all designed to reduce risks and/or facilitate critical surgeries, improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. For additional information on Synovis Life Technologies and its products, visit the company’s website at www.synovislife.com.