Interpore Cross Solidifies Proprietary Position in Growth Factor Program With Key Patent Issued to Strategic Partner.

IRVINE, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--May 28, 1998--Interpore Cross International (Nasdaq NM: BONZ) today announced that a key patent has been issued to the company's strategic partner which furthers the company's proprietary position for its Autologous Growth Factor (AGF) program. U.S. Patent No. 5,733,545, which describes a superconcentrated platelet rich plasma for enhancing the healing of wounds, was issued to Quantic Biomedical, Inc. of San Rafael, Ca. Under an exclusive licensing agreement, Interpore is evaluating this material in stimulating new bone and cartilage growth.

David C. Mercer, chairman and chief executive officer of Interpore Cross International, said, "This key patent further covers the core AGF technology and, combined with our recent 510(k) clearance for the AGF UltraConcentrator and a novel bone graft delivery syringe, establishes a patented and proprietary position in the AGF program. The procedure, which has already been evaluated in numerous patients, is intended to provide surgeons with a bone graft material possessing accelerated healing and bone growth characteristics. The company is currently establishing hospital reference centers to further evaluate the AGF product."

During a bone grafting procedure, peripheral blood is drawn from the patient and, using equipment routinely available in the operating room, the blood is separated into several components. One component rich in platelets, known as the "buffy coat", is further treated while the remaining blood components are returned to the patient. The buffy coat is passed through a proprietary device called the AGF UltraConcentrator which removes water, further concentrating the remaining platelets and fibrinogen, which contain growth factors believed to enhance new bone cell formation. These growth factors include Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF-(beta)) and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF). The AGF gel can be mixed with bone graft material, thus providing the graft site with the patient's own growth factors - safely, quickly and inexpensively.

Interpore Cross International is a medical device company specializing in the development, manufacture and marketing of synthetic bone and tissue products for use in the orthopaedic, oral/maxillofacial and ophthalmic markets, and the worldwide supply of spinal implant devices used to treat degenerative conditions and deformities of the spine.

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking and may involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: product demand and market acceptance risks; the development of future products; successful completion of clinical studies; regulatory approval of new products; and the impact of competitive products. Additional information on factors that could affect the company's financial results and growth prospects is disclosed in the company's reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    CONTACT: Interpore Cross International
              Richard L. Harrison,  949/453-3200
                  or
              Pondel Parsons & Wilkinson
              Rob Whetstone, 310/207-9300