PLAINSBORO, N.J., Nov. 20, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq:IART) announced today that Richard E. Caruso, Ph.D. Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation, was named the Overall Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year® 2006 national award winner. Now in its 20th year, the award program recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses.

Dr. Caruso is being recognized for creating a company that has introduced an entirely new field to medical science, that of regenerative medicine. "Richard Caruso's vision in creating Integra LifeSciences demonstrates that the contributions of entrepreneurs truly matter and make a difference in our world," said Ernst & Young Chairman and CEO James S. Turley. "For 20 years we have celebrated the entrepreneurial spirit by recognizing dynamic leaders and their companies through the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year awards. We're proud to add Richard's name to this distinguished group of honorees." Dr. Caruso was honored as both the Overall Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year national winner as well as the national winner in the Health Sciences Category at a gala in Palm Springs, California on November 18, 2006. Awards were also given in 10 additional categories. All Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year winners were selected from approximately 300 regional award recipients by an independent panel of judges.

"I am honored to have been chosen from such an accomplished and talented group of finalists," said Dr. Caruso. "It is not one individual that makes a company, but the shared vision of several individuals working for a common cause. Integra's accomplishments over the last several years have been made possible under Stuart Essig's leadership and the entrepreneurial spirit and culture he fosters. He and his management team have helped Integra establish a strong and deep foundation for the continued growth of the company, and this award is a real testament to their accomplishments."

Dr. Caruso has been Integra's Chairman since 1992 and served as CEO from 1992 to 1997. From 1969 to 1992, Dr. Caruso was a principal of LFC Financial Corporation, a project finance company, where he was also a director and Executive Vice President. Dr. Caruso is also the founder and director of The Uncommon Individual Foundation, a non-profit foundation that encourages individuals to form and follow their dreams of personal success and, in effect, become the entrepreneurs of their personal lives. In addition, Dr. Caruso is on the Board of Susquehanna University and the Baum School of Art. He received a B.S. degree from Susquehanna University, an M.S.B.A. degree from Bucknell University and a Ph.D. degree from the London School of Economics, University of London.

Dr. Caruso founded Integra LifeSciences in 1989 with a vision that the human body could be enabled to regenerate many of its own damaged or diseased tissues. His vision helped create the branch of medicine known as regenerative medicine. In 1996, Integra received approval from the FDA to market the INTEGRA Dermal Regeneration Template® as a skin replacement system with a claim for regeneration of dermal tissue for the treatment of life-threatening burns and repair of scar contractures. As a result, Integra became the first company to develop and bring to market an approved tissue regeneration product. That technology led to the development of DuraGen® Dural Graft Matrix, for repair of the dura mater, the protective covering of the brain after cranial and spine surgery, and NeuraGen® Nerve Guide, which creates a conduit for axonal growth across a severed nerve. In the seventeen years since its founding, Integra has grown to over 1700 people, with approximately $400 million in sales, and has been listed in the Forbes 200 Best Small Companies for the last three years. Today, 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 its products are neurosurgery, reconstructive surgery and general surgery.

"We are delighted that Richard Caruso has been chosen as Ernst and Young's 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year," said Integra's CEO, Stuart Essig. "I have worked with Richard for many years, and this is a wonderful recognition of his lifelong career and vision. He truly embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship."

The Entrepreneur of The Year awards program was created and is produced in the United States by Ernst & Young LLP. From a single program in 1986, the awards have expanded to 26 regions in the U.S. and 39 countries worldwide. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the program continues to honor entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year Program is nationally sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. As a national award winner, Richard E. Caruso is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year®, which will be awarded in Monte Carlo in June 2007.

Integra is a leader in applying the principles of biotechnology to medical devices that improve patients' quality of life. Its corporate headquarters are in Plainsboro, New Jersey, and manufacturing and research facilities are located throughout the world. Please visit our website at http://www.Integra-LS.com.

CONTACT: Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation
John B. Henneman, III, Executive Vice President
Chief Administrative Officer
(609) 936-2481
jhenneman@Integra-LS.com
Public Relations Manager
Gianna Sabella
(609) 936-2389
gsabella@Integra-LS.com