Couples and Physicians Increasingly Choose Alternative to Vasectomy; Company Reports More Than 2,800 Vasclip Implantable Devices Shipped.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- VMBC, The Vasclip Company announced today that it has shipped more than 2,800 Vasclip(R) implant devices in the United States since its limited product launch began, and that over 400 physicians are actively offering Vasclip to their patients. Company officials estimate that in excess of 2,000 men have been implanted with the small polymeric devices, about the size of a grain of rice, that atraumatically lock around each vas deferens, permanently stopping the flow of sperm.

Vasclip is the less invasive alternative to traditional vasectomy as it eliminates all cutting, suturing and cauterizing (burning) of the vas deferens. Men who choose the Vasclip procedure can expect to have decreased post-procedure pain and inflammation, and look forward to a quicker return to their daily routines, than those men that have a traditional vasectomy.

"As we continue to study the Vasclip clinical results, the benefits of the Vasclip procedure are being realized by an increasing number of U.S. patients, physicians, and payors," said Dr. William Utz, Medical Director of VMBC, The Vasclip Company, and a practicing urologist in Edina, Minnesota. "By offering couples an alternative for permanent male birth control, the Vasclip enables women to avoid the costs and potential complications associated with the long-term use of birth control methods. Vasectomy has already been proven to be the most cost-effective and reliable permanent birth control method available, and the Vasclip can make a couple's decision and procedure even easier."

The company reported that in a new survey of their original study participants, the availability of the Vasclip procedure had dramatically impacted a couples' birth control decision:

--47% of the men responded that without the Vasclip procedure they would not have undergone a vasectomy procedure, and

--If the Vasclip had not been available, 25% would have used condoms, 15% would have used female hormonal products, (the Pill, patch or injections), 5% would have used a female barrier, (IUD, diaphragm, cervical cap), and 2% would have had a tubal ligation.

For Vasclip patient Jim Buck the choice was simple. "I was taking responsibility and I wanted technology, not cutting and burning a vessel, as the permanent solution. I had heard too many stories about the post-vasectomy pain and swelling," said Jim. Lisa, Jim's wife, supported and encouraged his decision. "I was not going to have a tubal ligation and the Pill is not a permanent birth control option. When the Vasclip was presented to me and Jim it was a foregone conclusion what we were going to do," Lisa said.

"Our limited, regional product launch has more than proven the acceptance of the Vasclip as a desired form of birth control. Our job now is to take what we have learned and see that all of the Vasclip benefits and educational materials are available for the patients, physicians and payors throughout our country and the world, so that everyone considering permanent birth control can make the best decision," said David Elliot, President and CEO.

About VMBC, The Vasclip Company

VMBC, LLC, The Vasclip Company, is the worldwide leader in implant technology for permanent male sterilization. The Company is privately held and is headquartered in Roseville, Minnesota. For more information about the Company, the Vasclip, and all other forms of birth control, please visit the Company Web site at www.vasclip.com.

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