Funds will enable expansion throughout global healthcare markets

New York, January 15, 2008 – MTS Health Partners, L.P. (“MTS”), the New-York based healthcare merchant bank, announced today that funds under the management of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., a leading global investment management firm with over $50 billion of assets under management, have made a small minority investment in MTS. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The Oaktree investment, which is passive, will be used to fund continued expansion of MTS’ merchant banking platform. The additional capital will allow MTS to broaden its advisory and investment activities within healthcare, deepen its in-depth market knowledge and expand its product offerings across the global healthcare landscape.

Curtis Lane, founder and Senior Managing Director of MTS, said, “Oaktree has worked with MTS for many years as both a client and a co-investor in transactions. We are delighted that they have now chosen to invest directly in MTS, and we believe that their continued relationship with us validates their confidence in our healthcare-focused merchant banking model. We share the view that marrying premier intellectual capital with long-term value-oriented financial capital solely dedicated to the healthcare industry will create significant value for our clients and our investors.”
Mike Harmon, Managing Director of Oaktree, said, “We have had a long and beneficial relationship with MTS and have been impressed by the depth of MTS’ relationships within the healthcare industry. MTS is a vital force in the healthcare sector and we look forward to supporting them as a financial partner as they continue to grow in the years to come.”

Last week, MTS Health Partners announced a significant expansion of its services with the hiring of two senior bankers, Andrew J. Weisenfeld and Mark E. Epstein, who both joined the firm as Senior Managing Directors. “The Oaktree investment along with the addition of Andy and Mark further solidify MTS’ position as the premier healthcare-focused merchant bank,” added Mr. Lane.

About MTS

MTS Health Partners, L.P., located in New York, offers strategic advisory and capital raising services as well as private equity capital to companies in the global healthcare industry. The principals of MTS have spent their careers focused on the healthcare industry, with over 100 years of experience in acquiring, operating, advising, financing and selling healthcare companies. For further information, please visit: www.mtshealthpartners.com.

About Oaktree

Oaktree was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. It is an independent investment management firm with over $50 billion of assets under management in specialized investment strategies. These strategies include private equity (including power infrastructure), distressed debt, high yield bonds, convertible securities, senior bank loans, Japan and emerging market equities, real estate, and mezzanine financing. Oaktree’s institutional clients include Fortune 100 companies, large public pension funds, university endowments, private foundations and high net worth individuals. In addition to Los Angeles, Oaktree has offices in New York, Stamford, Frankfurt, London, Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, and through fund affiliates, Luxembourg.

Contact:

Caroline Luz Owen Blicksilver Public Relations, Inc. 203-656-2829caroline@blicksilverpr.com