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Friday, April 17th, 2009

Touch Bionics Founder Steps Down

by wendy

Touch Bionics' Founder Steps Down

A fond farewell to David Gow, inventor of the i-LIMB Hand, as he moves to focus on
his work within the Scottish NHS

Livingston, Scotland - March 16, 2009 - Touch Bionics, developer of the world's
first commercially available bionic hand, today announced that Director of Research
and Non Executive Director, David Gow, was stepping down from the business in order
to concentrate on his expanding role within NHS Lothian's SMART Centre in Edinburgh.

As the founder and original inventor of the concepts that resulted in the i-LIMB
Hand, David Gow set the course for the company that, in early 2003, was the first
company to be spun out from the Scottish National Health Service - becoming the
first SHIL (Scottish Health Innovations Ltd.) spin-out to receive significant
funding.

In the late 1980s Mr Gow's work began in earnest on electronic arms, including
shoulders, wrists and hands. In 1993, a partial hand system received international
publicity and in 1998, major international profile was achieved through the fitting
of the world's first electrically powered shoulder. In 2000 further clinical
fittings and publicity with partial hands was a catalyst for the decision to set up
Touch Bionics.

Speaking about his departure from Touch Bionics Mr Gow said, "I have immensely
enjoyed my time with Touch Bionics and look forward to even greater strides by the
company in the field of upper limb prosthetics."

He continued, "It was really in 2005, with funding from existing and new investors,
including Archangel Informal Investments and the Scottish Co-investment Fund, that
we started the commercialisation of my ideas - it's very rewarding to have over 500
users from all over the world wearing an i-LIMB Hand."

In his expanding role within NHS Lothian, David will become Head of SMART Services
and will be focusing his experience and efforts into managing strategic service
change and modernisation of Mobility, Prosthetic and Bioengineering Services for the
South East of Scotland.

Commenting on Mr Gow's departure, Stuart Mead, CEO of Touch Bionics said "We wish
David every success with his continued work in the fields of prosthetics and patient
care. David and I have shared some exciting and rewarding times and our
ever-expanding team will continue to build upon his pioneering work."

Robert Pattullo, a Director of Archangel Informal Investments, said "Archangels are
proud to have backed David Gow with his i-LIMB Hand which has revolutionised upper
limb prosthetics and massively improved the lives of those who have lost their
hands."

High resolution product shots available for media use can be found at:
http://www.touchbionics.com/professionals.php?pageid=71&section=10
<http://www.touchbionics.com/professionals.php?pageid=71&section=10>

About Touch Bionics
Touch Bionics is a leading developer of advanced upper-limb prosthetics. In 2007,
Touch Bionics brought to market the i-LIMB Hand, a first-to-market prosthetic device
with five individually powered digits. The company continues to develop leading-edge
technologies for the treatment of patients with upper-limb deficiencies. For more
information, visit www.touchbionics.com <about:www.touchbionics.com>

Touch Bionics media contact:

Danny Sullivan
inmedia Public Relations Inc.
Tel (US & Canada): +1 613 686 5657
Tel (UK): +44 (0) 141 404 6478
Email: dsullivan@inmedia.com

The names of actual companies or products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of
their respective owners.

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