Reykjavik (Iceland), October 7, 2004 - Ossur hf. (Iceland Stock Exchange: OSSR) is pleased to announce a major new innovation resulting from its partnership with R&D company, Victhom Human Bionics (TSX; VHB). The first bionic prosthetic for lower extremity amputees will move rapidly into pre-market trials in selected countries, including North America, in preparation for a full market launch in 2005.
 
"We are extremely excited to receive the first product developed under our partnership with Victhom. It requires a strong spirit of exploration to bring such ground-breaking innovations to reality, and Ossur's visionary focus together with Victhom's talent for invention has produced a major step forward in prosthetics," explains Arni A. Arason, Vice-President Sales and Marketing of Ossur. "Our passion is to pioneer products that will genuinely enhance quality of life for people living with physical disabilities, to help them to achieve a life without limitations. As a clinically oriented company, we always begin with comprehensive trials and product testing in real-life situations, to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. We have begun to present the concept of the bionic lower extremity prosthesis to a selected number of customers in England, Germany and the United States, so now we will embark on the pre launch phase including few specific trials with a selected number of customers. As soon as we have completed this step, a full product launch will take place under a new brand and advertising campaign."
 
"Victhom delivered all its technological and corporate objectives with uncommon speed. Our partnership, which brings together Victhom's innovative technology with our established marketing and clinical know-how, is exceptionally synergistic. This new technology platform, which provides opportunities for the worlds first active prostheses, is a real vision of the future, and a testament to the value of our partnership," says Jon Sigurdsson, President and CEO of Ossur.
 
"After three years of intensive work, our first innovation in bionics comes into being. This type of application fits into the orthotics and prosthetics field very well. This is the first of a series of bionic products in this sector," adds Stéphane Bédard, Executive Vice president and Chief Operating Officer of Victhom. "We are privileged to have Ossur as partners. Today's announcement is an important moment for us: it is rewarding to see our product move from the laboratory to the field, and we are delighted to be handing over to our partner to prepare the next steps towards launching the product."
 
"The future of bionics is exponential: With our other divisions NeuroBionix and MetoBionix, our technological and commercial impact with other partners will be similar to the one created with Ossur in the field of prosthetics. Ossur and Victhom are both committed to delivering innovation in the orthotics and prosthetics market "concludes Benoit Côte, President and Chief Executive Officer of Victhom.
 

Ossur is an international manufacturer of prosthetics and orthotics devices and a leading innovator in the field. The Company employs 625 staff in eight locations around the globe. It has extensive North American, European and Nordic operations and a wide network across other markets. Ossur's mission is to exceed customer expectations and continue to be a leading company in the field of orthotics and prosthetics.

 

About Victhom                                             
                                               
Victhom specializes in the development and commercialization of bionic devices aimed at improving the quality of life of individuals suffering from physical dysfunctions. The Company has 76 employees and three operational divisions: BioTronix, NeuroBionix and MetoBionix.

* Forward-looking statements contained in this press release involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties or other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
 
 
 
Sources:                       Ossur and Victhom Human Bionics
 
 
For more information:  
Mr. Benoit Côte
President and CEO
Victhom Human Bionics Inc.
Phone: + (418) 872-5665, ext. 103
Benoit.cote@victhom.com

Mr. Jon Sigurdsson
President & CEO  
Ossur hf.                                    
Direct line: (354) 5151316
jsigurdsson@ossur.com
http://www.ossur.com

To be kept up-to-date with the latest developments and financial reports from Ossur, please subscribe the Investor Mailinglist: http://www.ossur.com/template1.asp?pageid=233