PLAINSBORO, N.J., Oct. 15, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq:IART) today announced plans to market and sell the NPH™ Low Flow Hydrocephalus Valve (NPH™ Valve) through its direct Integra NeuroSciences™ sales force. Integra NeuroSciences, which has received 510K clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration to market the NPH™ Valve in the United States, is featuring this new product at the 54th Annual Meeting of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons in San Francisco next week.

The new Integra NPH™ Valve is part of an implantable system used in the treatment of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). The system shunts cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the ventricles of the brain to an appropriate drainage site, such as the peritoneal cavity or the heart's right atrium. Designed specifically to meet the needs of patients with NPH, the NPH™ Valve controls CSF flow at a lower rate than Integra's other flow-control valves. With three stages of operation, the NPH™ Valve acts as a conventional differential pressure valve, maintains CSF flow rate within a specified range, and, in the event of sudden increases in intraventricular pressure, operates in a rapid flow rate mode, minimizing certain risks associated with sub-arachnoid hemorrhages and sub-dural hematomas.

NPH is a form of chronic hydrocephalus that typically occurs in adults who are 60 years and older. It is characterized by a triad of clinical symptoms, including dementia, gait disturbance (i.e., difficulty walking), and urinary incontinence. As many as 10% of all patients with symptoms of dementia have NPH. While the symptoms associated with NPH can intensify over time if the condition is left untreated, if treated properly, the dementia associated with NPH can be reversed. Experts estimate that approximately 375,000 Americans have NPH.

While shunting is the preferred treatment method for patients diagnosed with NPH, only approximately 5% of those with NPH are currently treated with a surgically implanted shunt. Based on these current treatment statistics, we estimate that the market opportunity for shunt systems designed to treat NPH is approximately $35 million. However, based on the NPH population as a whole, the market opportunity exceeds $500 million.

"The NPH™ Valve allows us to address an expanding patient population that requires treatment for NPH," said Deborah Leonetti, Integra's Senior Vice President of Marketing. "The NPH™ Valve is a great addition to our extensive cerebrospinal fluid shunt line, expanding both the applications for the line, as well as its market opportunity."

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation is a diversified medical technology company that develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in a variety of applications. The primary applications for our products are neuro-trauma and neurosurgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery and general surgery. Integra is a leader in applying the principles of biotechnology to medical devices that improve patients' quality of life. Our corporate headquarters are in Plainsboro, New Jersey, and we have manufacturing and research facilities located throughout the world. We have approximately 1,200 employees. Please visit our website at (http://www.Integra-LS.com).

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the future use of the NPH Valve. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from predicted or expected results. Among other things, physicians' willingness to use the NPH Valve may affect the prospects for its use in clinical procedures. In addition, the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors identified under the heading "Factors That May Affect Our Future Performance" included in the Business section of Integra's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and information contained in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission could affect actual results.

CONTACT:
Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation
John B. Henneman, III
Executive Vice President
Chief Administrative Officer
(609) 936-2481
jhenneman@Integra-LS.com

Maria Platsis
Director of Corporate Development and Investor Relations
(609) 936-2333
mplatsis@Integra-LS.com