Apligraf User Base Continues to Grow; Number of Sites Exceeds 950.

CANTON, Mass.--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 5, 1999--

Organogenesis Inc. (AMEX:ORG) today provided September updates on the number of centers ordering and re-ordering Apligraf(R) (Graftskin) and on US unit sales. During September, the number of centers that have ordered Apligraf continued to increase: growing from 901 in August to 959 by the end of September. The number of centers that have re-ordered Apligraf also continued to increase, from 517 in August to 551 by the end of September. US commercial unit sales of Apligraf reached 615 in September. While sales of launching medical products can decline during the summer months - due to vacationing physicians and patients - Apligraf US commercial sales for the third quarter 1999 held to the levels achieved in the second quarter. Apligraf is marketed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

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                          # US SITES ORDERING


                              # Sites          # Sites
      Time Period            Ordering        Re-Ordering
                             Apligraf(1)     Apligraf(2)

          3Q98                  135                56
          4Q98                  316               170
          1Q99                  523               280
          2Q99                  757               427
       July 1999                839               464
      August 1999               901               517
     September 1999             959               551

     (1) Have ordered Apligraf one or more times
     (2) Have re-ordered Apligraf one or more times


                       US COMMERCIAL UNIT SALES


                              Apligraf Commercial Units
      Time Period              Month           Quarter

         3Q98                                      548
         4Q98                                     1070
         1Q99                                     1585
         2Q99                                     1755
       July 1999                547
      August 1999               655
     September 1999             615               1817

"We are continuing to see strong interest in Apligraf, as indicated by the growing number of medical centers that have ordered and that have re-ordered the product," said Alan Tuck, Chief Strategic Officer. "Sales development is being affected by the lack of widespread standardized reimbursement for Apligraf, which is a top priority at both Novartis and Organogenesis. The case for reimbursement is strong. Apligraf has been shown to heal difficult-to-heal ulcers that have remained open with standard care, raising ethical issues about denial of product access. In addition, Apligraf can save the medical system money. A study published earlier this year by the Cleveland Clinic found that current standard care averages $2400 per month per venous ulcer patient. Apligraf has been shown to heal approximately the same amount of ulcers in three months as standard care heals in six months, making Apligraf a cost-effective therapy for many patients."

"We are continuing to build the clinical support behind Apligraf, with data on Apligraf in diabetic foot ulcers presented and published, data on Apligraf in burns presented and submitted for publication, and an 18-patient study in epidermolysis bullosa completed and results forwarded to the FDA. At the same time, Novartis is expanding the marketing of Apligraf by beginning to introduce Apligraf into select European countries. In late September, Novartis sponsored a multinational Apligraf investigator meeting in New York City which included opinion leaders from the initial European markets as well as US clinicians. Next week, at the American College of Surgeons national meeting in San Francisco, Novartis is sponsoring an educational symposium which will include medical presentations on Apligraf."

Like human skin, Apligraf is living, all-natural and bi-layered, with both an upper epidermal and a lower dermal layer. It contains living human skin cells - epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. The keratinocytes are differentiated to form the strata of the human epidermis, including the outer stratum corneum. Unlike human skin, Apligraf does not contain Langerhans cells, melanocytes, macrophages or lymphocytes, or structures such as blood vessels, hair follicles and sweat glands. Novartis Pharma AG has global Apligraf marketing rights.

Organogenesis Inc. designs, develops and manufactures medical products containing living cells and/or natural connective tissue. The Company's product development focus includes living tissue replacements, cell-based organ assist devices and other tissue-engineered products. In addition to Apligraf, the pipeline includes Vitrix(TM) living soft tissue replacement product, a bioartificial liver and a vascular graft.

Statements in this press release which are not historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance as to the rate of development of Apligraf sales. Apligraf(R) is a registered trademark of Novartis.