Spinal Designs and SpineMark Enter into Strategic National Alliance

MINNEAPOLIS, MN—November 2, 2006—Spinal Designs International, Inc. has entered into a strategic alliance and co-development agreement with SpineMark Corporation of San Diego, CA. Under the terms of the agreement, Spinal Designs’ LIFEBACK™ Spine Rehab Clinic services will be included in SpineMark’s national network of Spine Centers of Excellence, specifically for the effective management of non-surgical and post-operative chronic spine patients.

SpineMark’s Spine Centers of Excellence bring together physicians, medical groups and facilities specializing in spine surgery, interventional pain management and related ancillary specialties to provide for consistent, high-quality and cost-effective care of patients with spine-related pain. Spinal Designs has proven the effectiveness of LIFEBACK Spine Programs while creating a network of clinics in Minnesota and North Dakota. Under this alliance, LIFEBACK Spine Rehab Clinic services will now be included in a national network as an integral part of a highly efficient, effective and appropriate specialized healthcare delivery model.

SpineMark Centers of Excellence provide patients with the highest quality of care for their backs. “Our national network of facilities is improving spine-care protocols using outcome data collection,” said Marcy Rogers, President and CEO of SpineMark. “We selected LIFEBACK Spine Programs as one of our rehab solutions because of their proven outcome data developed over 10 years with thousands of chronic back pain patients.”

“We’re pleased that LIFEBACK Spine Rehab Clinic services have been recognized by this highly respected company for their contribution to improve long-term patient results,” said Greg Peterson, President and CEO of Spinal Designs. “LIFEBACK programs have been scientifically shown to meet the needs of chronic spine patients. By including LIFEBACK services in a SpineMark Center of Excellence venue, patient, payer, and physician stakeholders gain additional assurance that functional recovery from back pain is possible.”

Spinal Designs International licenses proprietary, evidence-based LIFEBACK Spine Programs to hospitals and provider clinics as services for their chronic spine patients. These programs treat spinal disease in its totality through patient-responsible disease management versus repeated clinician-provided treatments that focus on symptom management. The programs are available through LIFEBACK Spine Rehab Clinics in Minnesota and North Dakota. To learn more about Spinal Designs or LIFEBACK Spine Rehab Clinics, visit www.spinaldesigns.com, www.LIFEBACK.com, or call (612) 378-7235.

SpineMark is a national leader in the planning, development, implementation and management of successful Centers of Excellence in Spine, Neuroscience and Orthopaedics. A SpineMark Center of Excellence features the integration of clinical, research and business expertise for physician groups, ambulatory surgery centers and hospitals. Formed as a joint venture between Texas Back Institute and Management Technology Resources, and headquartered in San Diego, Calif., SpineMark develops and operates these Centers of Excellence with some of the most recognized leaders in spine care. Additionally, SpineMark’s affiliate, SpineMark CRO Management, designs and implements national FDA research studies at the Centers of Excellence.

For more information about SpineMark and the way it is defining the future of spine care, please visit www.spinemark.com or call Marcy T. Rogers, M.Ed., President and CEO of SpineMark Corporation, (858) 623-8412

back to news listing