BIOSYNTECH/BIOMET TO DEVELOP NEW HARD TISSUE HEALING.

BIOSYNTECH Canada Inc. (OTCBB: BSYI) has signed a collaborative agreement with Biomet Inc (Nasdaq: BMET). Under the agreement, BST-GEL(TM), a family of in situ-gelling polymer solutions developed by BIOSYNTECH, will be studied as a carrier for growth factor and gene delivery to accelerate fresh fracture repair of bones.

"The agreement reached with BIOMET Inc. reaffirms the definitive potential of this innovative approach to therapeutic delivery systems", said Amine Selmani, president and CEO of BIOSYNTECH. "Our proprietary technology is based on natural non-toxic biomaterials that are biodegradable. It can be adapted to many pharmaceutical and biomedical applications and could help to maximize the performance of gene and protein therapies such as those pursued by BIOMET in fracture repair", he added.

BIOSYNTECH's BST-GEL comes as a liquid formulation. As it is injected in the body, it reacts to normal body temperature to form a soluble gel allowing for the retention and controlled release of incorporated therapeutics without affecting their molecular structure

The BST-GEL family of gels is an attractive technology in the delivery of growth factors and genes to accelerate the repair of fresh bone fractures. As an injectable, in situ gelling material, genes and growth factors are retained within the BST-GEL at the fracture site where their action is required.

BIOSYNTECH Canada is a Laval, Quebec-based company that has developed a number of technologies utilizing advanced biomaterials for the delivery of therapeutic agents or biologically active therapeutics. The resulting proprietary technologies offer a range of delivery vehicles with unique properties in a broad range of clinical applications. The components of BIOSYNTECH's biomaterials portfolio are specially adapted for the new generation of therapeutics based on recombinant proteins, genetic material and living cells. BIOSYNTECH has developed four main technology platforms as follows:

I. injectable thermo-sensitive self-forming hydrogels for therapeutics delivery;

II. solvent- and detergent-free microspheres for therapeutics delivery;

III. a system for arthroscopic delivery of chondrocytes, using an adhesive exogenous matrix, for the treatment of cartilage defects;

IV. a series of calcium-phosphate-based injectable materials, used for bone-filling and prevention of hip fractures due to osteoporosis.

V. A medical instrument that provides an objective and sensitive measure to evaluate cartilage functional properties in the early and potentially reversible stages of arthritis. The device will also address an unmet medical need in the unbiased evaluation of outcome following therapeutic interventions to treat joint and articular diseases.

Biomet, Inc. and its subsidiaries design, manufacture and market products used primarily by musculoskeletal medical specialists in both surgical and non-surgical therapy, including reconstructive and fixation devices, electrical bone growth stimulators, orthopedic support devices, operating room supplies, general surgical instruments, arthroscopy products, spinal implants, bone cements, bone substitutes, craniomaxillofacial implants and dental implants and associated instrumentation. Headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Biomet and its subsidiaries currently distribute products in more than 100 countries.

For more information, call 450/686-2437 ext. 222.