Company Will Launch Proprietary Soft Tissue Repair Product Into the European Hernia Repair and Breast Reconstruction Markets

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 2009-- Synovis Life Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: SYNO), a leading biomaterial and surgical products company, has received CE Mark approval for its Veritas^® Collagen Matrix, allowing the company to sell Veritas in the European hernia repair and breast reconstruction markets. Veritas is an extremely conformable and strong biomaterial which acts as a “scaffold” that allows for rapid repopulation and revascularization by the surrounding host tissue.

“CE Mark approval for these indications is a significant milestone for Veritas. With the addition of the European market for hernia repair and breast reconstruction, we look forward to expanding our presence in the worldwide soft tissue repair market and increasing our international revenue,” said Richard W. Kramp, Synovis Life Technologies president and chief executive officer. “We have already trained our independent distributors in Europe on the advantages of Veritas, and they will immediately start to sell Veritas to the European physician community. The hernia repair and breast reconstruction applications represent large and strong European market opportunities for Synovis.”

Veritas is an exceptionally supple and durable product. In addition to providing strength and flexibility, Veritas avoids acute and chronic infections and unwanted chronic inflammation that occurs frequently in response to the use of synthetic patches. The distinct characteristics of Veritas, which include its pericardial substrate and proprietary processing, offer functional and ease of use advantages over other biological patches.

Synovis launched Veritas into the ventral hernia market in the United States in early 2007 and in the breast reconstruction market in 2008. Revenue for Veritas in the fiscal third quarter ended July 31, 2009 was $2.4 million, an increase of 82 percent from the year-ago period and an increase of 10 percent sequentially from the fiscal 2009 second quarter.

About Synovis Life Technologies

Synovis Life Technologies, Inc., based in St. Paul, Minn., develops, manufactures and markets mechanical and biological products used by several surgical specialties for the repair of soft tissue damaged or destroyed by disease or injury. The company’s products are 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 Web site at www.synovislife.com.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements can be identified by words such as “should”, “could”, “may”, “will”, “expect”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “continue”, or other similar expressions. Certain important factors that could cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements made herein include the timing of product introductions, the ability of our expanding direct sales force to grow revenues, outcomes of clinical and marketing trials as well as regulatory submissions, the number of certain surgical procedures performed, the ability to identify, acquire and successfully integrate suitable acquisition candidates, the cost and outcome of intellectual property litigation, any operational or financial impact of the current global economic downturn, current market conditions affecting its investments and any claims for indemnification related to the sale of the interventional business, as well as the other factors found in the company’s reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended by Form 10-K/A (Amendment No. 1) for the year ended October 31, 2008.

Source: Synovis Life Technologies, Inc.

Synovis Life Technologies, Inc.
Brett Reynolds, CFO, 651-796-7300
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Richard Kramp, President and CEO, 651-796-7300
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Padilla Speer Beardsley Inc.
Nancy A. Johnson, 612-455-1745
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Marian Briggs, 612-455-1742