ENMC Encore Medical

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Encore Medical Corporation (NASDAQ:ENMC) today announced that it has entered into a multi- year collaboration agreement with The University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center (UCDHSC) covering Encore's total joint and rehabilitation product lines. Under terms of the agreement the parties will work to advance the state of the science in the field of orthopedics through collaborative research and education. The research will include, but not be limited to, issues in orthopedic surgery, pain management and treatment of orthopedic injuries. Encore will fund specific research projects to be undertaken by the CU School of Medicine's Department of Orthopaedics related to orthopedic health topics and will then have access to the data and results of such research so as to better design and develop its diverse product lines. "Developing a long-term relationship with Encore will enable us to develop a better product that will ultimately benefit our patients," said Robert D. D'Ambrosia, MD, Chair of the CU School of Medicine's Department of Orthopaedics. "We're confident that this partnership will be a winning combination for all involved." "We are pleased to collaborate with the University of Colorado on implant design, image guided technologies in orthopedic surgeries, minimally invasive techniques and instrumentation for orthopedic surgery," said Jack F. Cahill, Executive Vice-President and President of Encore's Surgical Implant Division. "This exciting new ten-year relationship promises to provide access to new technologies for our product pipelines which we can use to deliver better devices for the surgeons and physical therapists that use our products." Kenneth W. Davidson, Encore's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We believe that research will demonstrate the clinical and economic benefits of our products that are used for the orthopedic patient through the continuum of care, beginning pre-surgery, and continuing through surgery and into post-surgery rehabilitation. We think our efforts with the University of Colorado should give us the data that will support our beliefs." The School of Medicine faculty work to advance science and improve care as the physicians, educators and scientists at University of Colorado Hospital, The Children's Hospital, Denver Health Medical Center, National Jewish Medical and Research Center and the Veteran's Administration Medical Center. The School is part of the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, one of three campuses in the University of Colorado system. For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.uchsc.edu/sm/sm/ . Encore Medical Corporation is a diversified orthopedic device company that develops, manufactures and distributes a comprehensive range of high quality orthopedic devices, including surgical implants, sports medicine equipment and products for orthopedic rehabilitation, pain management and physical therapy. Based in Austin, Texas, Encore's products are used by orthopedic surgeons, physicians, therapists, athletic trainers and other healthcare professionals to treat patients with musculoskeletal conditions resulting from degenerative diseases, deformities, traumatic events and sports-related injuries. Encore's non-invasive medical devices and related accessories are primarily used by patients for at-home physical therapy. Encore's Surgical Implant Division offers a comprehensive suite of reconstructive joint products and spinal implants. Through its Orthopedic Rehabilitation Division, Encore is a leading manufacturer and distributor of orthopedic rehabilitation equipment in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.encoremed.com/ . Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, such as the timely availability of new products, the impacts of competitive products and pricing, the ability to grow the distribution networks for the Company's products, the results of scientific research, and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made herein. Contact: Harry L. Zimmerman, Executive Vice President (512) 832-9500 Media: Davis Henley, Vice President - Business Development (512) 832-9500 DATASOURCE: Encore Medical Corporation CONTACT: Harry L. Zimmerman, Executive Vice President, +1-512-832-9500, or , or media, Davis Henley, Vice President - Business Development, +1-512-832-9500, or , both of Encore Medical Corporation Web site: http://www.encoremed.com/ http://www.uchsc.edu/sm/sm

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