FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Collagen Matrix, Inc., the leader in collagen- and mineral-based matrix engineering, announced today that Dr. Shu-Tung Li, the Company's Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer was named one of six finalists in the Executive of the Year category of the 2009 New Jersey Business of the Year awards presented by Amper, Politziner and Mattia, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants. All finalists will be honored and the winner announced at an event highlighting their accomplishments on December 7th. In addition, Collagen Matrix, Inc. was recognized as one of New Jersey's 2009 Fifty Fastest Growing Companies, presented by Rothstein Kass, Certified Public Accountants.

The Executive of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the state of New Jersey, both in their industries and communities. Dr. Shu-Tung Li has led the growth of Collagen Matrix through a unique path that involved creativity, innovation, and strong leadership skills. Dr. Li founded the Company in 1997 based on sound technology drawing from his ten-year academic career and over twenty five-year industrial experience in healthcare as the foundation on which to build Collagen Matrix. Dr. Li faced the challenge of building a start-up medical device company with minimal resources. In an effort to preserve shareholder equity, Dr. Li began writing grant proposals to raise funds for research to support the business. Due to his innovative concepts and expertise in grant writing, Dr. Li was awarded $8 million in grant money over a six year period that culminated in the development of medical devices that could be sold to generate revenue. Dr. Li recognized that writing grants would not be able to support the growth of the Company and that revenue generation through product sales was critical. The continuous innovation and launching of new products each year from 2001 to present has earned Collagen Matrix a place on the 2009 New Jersey's Fifty Fastest Growing Companies list.

"I am honored by this recognition as a finalist in the New Jersey Executive of the Year category. I enjoy the challenge of growing the business organically from the ground up. The product pipeline is strong and the future is bright," said Shu-Tung Li, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Collagen Matrix.

Collagen Matrix, Inc. is a leader in the design and engineering of collagen- and mineral-based extracellular matrices for tissue and organ repair and regeneration. Since its inception in 1997, the Company has received many government grants for the development of collagen-based matrix products in the areas of neurological, vascular, urological, and orthopedic tissue regeneration applications. The Company currently manufactures collagen- and mineral-based finished medical devices in the areas of neurosurgery, oral surgery, orthopedic-spine surgery, and wound care. More information about the Company can be found at www.collagenmatrix.com.

SOURCE Collagen Matrix, Inc.

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