January Press Release - Simbionix and eTrinsic form exclusive partnership

Two industry leaders join forces to provide the ultimate surgical training solution through enhanced simulation and educational assessment technologies to medical device companies and professional associations.

CLEVELAND, Ohio and Louisville, Co (December 20, 2004) – Simbionix USA Corporation, a leading developer of advanced medical simulation products and eTrinsic, Inc, a developer of interactive medical education and assessment tools, today announced an exclusive partnership to develop a new generation of educational, assessment and simulation technologies and products for the medical device and physician education market. The joint development project will provide the first comprehensive, safe and cost effective technology-based surgical training solution. It will combine web-based clinical education with the most advanced ‘hands-on’ surgical simulation tools into an integrated and complete system of physician education and metrics-based assessment. “The market is ready for one solution that combines metrics-based didactic clinical education with the best in class simulation and assessment technology.” said Jacques Devaud, CEO and President of eTrinsic, Inc.

In addition, the two companies will form a collaborative sales and marketing strategy to better address the needs of the surgical training market, expanding the business lines of both enterprises to accelerate growth.

According to David Barkay, Simbionix CEO “Having the opportunity to work with eTrinsic, the recognized leader in web-based training, , allows both companies to offer, for the first time in our industry, a comprehensive solution for physician training. The combination of our companies’ competencies opens the door to approach new markets as well as upgrading existing customers.”

Both companies anticipate that the new systems will be fully accredited and healthcare professionals that successfully complete the programs will receive Continuing Medical Education credits. Additional clinical modules on all Simbionix products will be available in the near future.
About eTrinsic
eTrinsic develops revolutionary e-learning content using simulation and tracking technology, called True Learning Experiences™, for medical device and equipment, life science and healthcare organizations worldwide. eTrinsic’s experience includes developing interactive courseware for end users including sales reps, physicians, clinicians, patients and customers, and working with medical device and equipment manufacturers in all stages of product development. eTrinsic offers the True Learning Environment™ (TLE) learning management system (LMS) and the True Assessment System™ (TAS), a scalable server-side tracking system which validates true comprehension of course material by measuring user proficiency in solving a problem with a complex set of variables. Additional company information can be found at http://www.etrinsic.com
About Simbionix USA
Simbionix is a global leader in medical simulation technology. Simbionix mission is to provide state of the art, computer-assisted medical simulation training systems, and set the standard for minimally invasive surgical training and performance. Simbionix' pioneering work is enhanced by an on-going collaboration with leading medical establishments such as the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Mayo Clinic, The Medical University of California – Irvine, Catharina Hospital in Holland, Trondheim in Norway and other international medical facilities. The company also enjoys strategic alliances with leading devise and endoscopic equipment manufacturers. Since the successful introduction of the GI Mentor™ to the world market in 2000, Simbionix completed four other medical training simulators, which provide medical experts with hands-on training in a comprehensive array of Minimally Invasive Surgery procedures; the URO Mentor™ - a simulator for endourology procedures, the PERC Mentor™ for percutaneous access procedures, the LAP Mentor™ - a multi disciplinary simulator for laparoscopic skills and surgery procedures, and the recently launched and enthusiastically received ANGIO Mentor™ for interventional cardiologists, interventional radiologist and vascular surgeons that can use it to perform complete procedures, as well as acquiring basic skills. Simbionix is actively expanding its market-leading technology to transform the operating room as we know it today.