Exhibit (a)(4)
[LETTERHEAD OF SULZER MEDICA]
Winterthur, November 27, 2000 PRESS OFFICE
Sulzer Medica Management AG
CH-8401 Winterthur
Switzerland
Phone +41 52 262 72 92
Fax +41 52 262 00 25
Sulzer Medica officially launches offer to purchase up to 50% interest in
Capital Partners II
Sulzer Medica USA Holding Co. today launched its offer to purchase up to 50% of
the interests of beneficiaries in Capital Partners II, Ltd. Liquidating Trust
for approximately USD 30 million. Capital Partners owns a majority of the common
stock of Tutogen Medical, Inc. (TTG) with which Sulzer Medica has strategic
agreements on the distribution and marketing of bone tissue for spinal and
dental applications.
On November 17, Sulzer Medica announced that it had entered into an agreement
with Capital Partners to purchase a stake of up to 50% in Capital Partners.
Sulzer Medica today officially launched its offer. The Board of Trustees of the
Trust has unanimously approved the agreement and the making of the tender offer.
If Sulzer Medica is offered fewer than approximately 20% of interests in the
Trust, Sulzer Medica will have no obligation to complete the deal. The offer
remains open through Tuesday, December 26, 2000.
Sulzer Medica, headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, develops, manufactures
and markets implantable medical devices and biomaterials for the cardiovascular
and orthopedic markets worldwide. The company's products include joint
prostheses, spine implants, products for traumatology and oral rehabilitation,
heart valves and vascular grafts. (Swiss Stock Exchange: SMEN; NYSE: SM).
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION
The foregoing communications contain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 (the "Safe Harbor Provisions"). Sulzer Medica and Capital
Partners II are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such
obligation to) update or alter their forward-looking statements as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise. The Safe Harbor Provisions are not
applicable to the foregoing communication to the extent that they constitute
tender offer materials and have not been judicially determined to be applicable
to such communication to the extent that they constitute soliciting materials.
Investors and security holders are strongly advised to read both the tender
offer statement and the solicitation/recommendation statement regarding the
tender offer referred to in this press release, which they become available,
because they will contain important information. The tender offer statement
will be filed by Sulzer Medica with the SEC and the solicitation/recommendation
statement will be filed by Capital Partners II, Ltd. Liquidating Trust with the
SEC.
Page 2 of 2 / November 17, 2000
Sulzer Medica to strengthen its ties with Tutogen Medical Inc.
Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of these statements (when
available) and other documents filed by Sulzer Medica and the Trust at the SEC's
web site at http://www.sec.gov or copies may be inspected, without charge, at
the public reference facilities of the SEC located at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the regional office of the Commission located in
New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. Copies of these statements and other
documents may be obtained from the SEC for a fee.
For Sulzer Medica: Henner Alms, phone +41 (0)52-262 71 50
E-Mail: press-relations@sulzermedica.com
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Investor Relations: Gabriele Weiher, phone +41 (0)52-262 45 11
in the USA: Jim Johnson, phone +1 713-561 63 76
For Capital Partners II, Ltd. Liquidating Trust:
Thomas W. Pauken, Liquidating Trustee,
phone +1 214 378-9340
* This press release is available on the Internet:
www.sulzermedica.com/media/mainpage.htm
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