CryoLife(R), Inc., Signs Distribution and Allocation Agreements With AlloSource(R)

January 29, 2002 at 9:04 AM EST

Contract Expands Availability of Tissue for Use in Reconstructive Knee Surgeries

ATLANTA, Jan 29, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ --CryoLife, Inc. (NYSE: CRY), a life-science company involved in the development and commercialization of tissue-engineered implantable heart valves, vascular and orthopaedic grafts, and surgical adhesives, today announced that it has signed a series of agreements with AlloSource, one of the nation's largest non-profit tissue bank cooperatives. The agreements outline distribution by CryoLife, Inc. of AlloSource processed, fresh osteoarticular (OA) grafts and fresh-frozen tibialis tendon allografts. In addition, AlloSource will send tibialis and peroneus longus tendon allografts to CryoLife, Inc. for processing with CryoLife's patented process and distribution by CryoLife. Under the terms of the agreements, AlloSource will utilize its best efforts to make available to CryoLife a monthly allotment of fresh OA allografts and allograft tendons for use in the reconstruction of damaged knees with focused distribution by CryoLife of these grafts back to the AlloSource donor communities.

Steven G. Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer, CryoLife, Inc., noted, "Sports medicine surgery, specifically reconstruction of damaged knees, is one of the fastest growing types of surgery today. Under these agreements, CryoLife will be able to expand the availability of OA grafts and tendons on a nationwide basis. We are pleased to be representing AlloSource in providing this important service to the orthopaedic community."

Tom Cycyota, President and Chief Executive Officer of AlloSource noted, "AlloSource is very pleased to be affiliated with CryoLife in supplying and distributing these much needed grafts for knee reconstruction surgery. In working with CryoLife, we are able to meet our mission to our donor communities of supplying the highest quality, highest value grafts for use in life-enhancing surgical procedures."

Founded in 1984, CryoLife, Inc. is the leader in the development and commercialization of implantable living human tissues for use in cardiovascular, vascular and orthopaedic surgeries throughout the United States and Canada. The Company's BioGlue(R) surgical adhesive is FDA approved as an adjunct to sutures and staples for use in adult patients in open surgical repair of large vessels and is CE marked in the European Community and approved in Canada and Australia for use in vascular and pulmonary sealing and repair. The Company also manufactures the SynerGraft(R) heart valve, the SynerGraft vascular graft, the world's first tissue-engineered heart valve and vascular replacements, and the CryoLife-O'Brien(R) and CryoLife-Ross(R) stentless porcine heart valves, which are CE marked for distribution within the European Community. The human heart valves and vascular grafts processed by CryoLife using the SynerGraft technology are distributed in the U.S. under the trade names of CryoValve(R)SG and CryoVein(R)SG, respectively.

For additional information about the company, visit CryoLife's web site: http://www.cryolife.com

AlloSource(R), headquartered in the greater Denver, Colorado area, is one of the largest non-profit tissue bank cooperatives, bringing together four of the country's most reputable tissue banks: Mid-American Transplant Services in St. Louis, Donor Alliance in Denver, The Regional Organ Bank of Illinois in Chicago and Lifesharing Community Organ of Tissue Donation in San Diego. AlloSource and its partners are American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) accredited and bring over 80 years of combined experience in the tissue banking industry.

For additional information contact about AlloSource, visit the web site: www.AlloSource.org

Editors Note: Osteoarticular Grafts are preserved and maintained in a living state.

    Contact:  Roy Vogeltanz
              Vice President, Corporate Communications
              (800) 438-8285