Vertis Neuroscience Continues to Build Management Team With the Addition of Vice President of Sales.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

SEATTLE--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 7, 2001

Vertis Neuroscience, Inc., an early stage medical device company focused on the development of technology platforms that address pain and neurological impairment, today announced the appointment of Ken Beres as vice president of sales.

Beres joins Vertis as the company prepares to launch its first product, the Vertis PNT(TM) (Percutaneous Neuromodulation Therapy) System(a), a unique nonsurgical, nonpharmacological therapy for low back pain. Beres brings to Vertis more than 15 years of medical sales and marketing experience and extensive knowledge of early stage healthcare companies. As western area sales director for Perclose, a division of Abbott Laboratories, he directed more than 70 sales and clinical representatives and was responsible for $53 million in revenue. He also held senior management positions with Johnson & Johnson Interventional Systems/Cordis, Boston Scientific Corp., and Proctor & Gamble.

According to Alan Levy, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Vertis, Beres will play a key role in building the company's sales organization and forming and executing overall business strategies designed to speed the adoption of the PNT System, which is under review within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

"Ken has significant experience establishing sales teams from the ground up and successfully introducing new products and innovative technologies into the healthcare marketplace," Levy said. "He will be an integral part of a very strong management team, which is focused on fulfilling patient and physician needs as we launch our PNT technology for the treatment of low back pain."

Low back pain afflicts more than 20 million people each year in the United States and costs an estimated $100 billion in direct medical costs and indirect costs such as lost productivity. Treatments, which range from over-the-counter medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen, to exercise therapy and invasive treatments such as epidural injections, implantable drug pumps, and surgery, are largely inadequate. The PNT System represents an important alternative that may provide meaningful relief for the many patients who are not helped by early, noninvasive treatments and are considering more costly and invasive procedures.

Seattle-based Vertis Neuroscience was founded in 1999 by an experienced management team committed to developing innovative medical technologies designed to reduce pain, restore function, and improve quality of life for people suffering from diseases and disorders of the central nervous system. In addition to its PNT System, Vertis is developing other technologies that promote the restoration of function for patients suffering from neurological impairment. The company is privately held and employs 30 people. For more information, visit www.pnthealth.com.

(a) CAUTION: Investigational Device. Limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use.

Note to Editors: A detailed bio and photo of Ken Beres are available upon request.