CRYOLIFE INC
424B1, 1998-04-01
MISC HEALTH & ALLIED SERVICES, NEC
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<PAGE>
 
                                                              FILED PURSUANT TO
                                                                 RULE 424(b)(1)
                                                             FILE NO: 333-46545
                                                                      333-48923
PROSPECTUS                                                       March 30, 1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               2,750,000 Shares
 
                                     LOGO
 
                                 Common Stock
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  LOGO
 
Of the 2,750,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common
Stock"), offered hereby (this "Offering"), 2,588,000 shares are being offered
by CryoLife, Inc. ("CryoLife" or the "Company"), and 162,000 shares are being
offered by certain shareholders of the Company (the "Selling Shareholders").
The Company will not receive any net proceeds from the sale of the shares of
Common Stock offered by the Selling Shareholders.
 
The Common Stock is quoted on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the
symbol "CRY." On March 30, 1998, the last reported sale price of the Common
Stock on the NYSE was $16 5/8 per share. See "Price Range of Common Stock."
 
FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN RISKS OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK OFFERED HEREBY, SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGES 6-11.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Underwriting 
               Price to       Discounts and      Proceeds to      Proceeds to
                Public       Commissions(/1/)    Company(/2/) Selling Shareholders
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
Per Share       $16.50             $0.99            $15.51            $15.51
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3)     $45,375,000       $2,722,500        $40,139,880       $2,512,620
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 
(1) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
    liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
    amended. See "Underwriting."
(2) Before deducting expenses of this Offering payable by the Company
    estimated to be $700,000.
(3) The Company has granted the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to
    412,500 additional shares of Common Stock on the same terms per share
    solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If such option is exercised in
    full, the total Price to Public will be $52,181,250, total Underwriting
    Discounts and Commissions will be $3,130,875 and the total Proceeds to the
    Company will be $46,537,755. See "Underwriting."
 
The Common Stock is being offered by the Underwriters as set forth under
"Underwriting" herein. It is expected that the delivery of the certificates
therefor will be made at the offices of SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc., New
York, New York, on or about April 3, 1998. The Underwriters include:
 
SBC WARBURG DILLON READ INC.                                 PIPER JAFFRAY INC.

<PAGE>
 
 
           --------------------------------------------------------
           CRYOLIFE CRYOPRESERVATION OF HUMAN TISSUE FOR TRANSPLANT
           --------------------------------------------------------
                                                       HUMAN VASCULAR TISSUES
HUMAN HEART VALVES & CONDUITS                          ----------------------
- -----------------------------
                                                        Coronary Artery bypass
[Image of Heart Valves]                                 ----------------------
                                                             [Image of
- -----------------------                                       Coronary Artery
 .Normal hemodynamics                                          Bypass]
 .Low incidence of                                       ---------------------
 calcification                                            .Largest provider of
 .Anti-coagulation drug                                     allograft
  therapy not required           [Image of a               alternatives to
 .Reduced incidence of             human shadow             patient's own
 endocarditis                     figure]                  tissue
 
HUMAN CONNECTIVE                                          Peripheral
TISSUE FOR THE KNEE                                       Revascularization
- -----------------------                                   -------------------
 
                                ----------------          [Image of
[Image of Orthopaedic                                      Peripheral Vascular
 Tissue]                                                   Reconstruction]
- -----------------------                                   --------------------
 .Only U.S. provider of                                    .Only available
 meniscal tissue                                           small diameter
                                                           allograft for below-
                                                           the-knee vascular
                                                           reconstruction
 
                                                          Dialysis Access
                                                          Grafts
                                                          -------------------
                                                            [Image of
                                                             Dialysis Access
                                                             Graft]
                                                          -------------------
                                                          .Allograft alternative
                                                           to synthetic grafts
 
                                                          Venous Valve
                                                          Transplant
                                                          --------------------
                                                             [Image of
                                                              Venous Valve
                                                              Transplant]
                                                          --------------------
                                                          .Only commercially
                                                           available venous
                                                           valve substitute
                                                           to treat venous
                                                           insufficiency
 
 
CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS THAT
STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK,
INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING AND SHORT COVERING TRANSACTIONS AND THE
IMPOSITION OF A PENALTY BID, DURING AND AFTER THIS OFFERING. FOR A DESCRIPTION
OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING."
 
The Company's logo, CryoLife(R), BioGlue(R), FibRx(R) and SynerGraft(R) are
registered trademarks of the Company, and CryoLife-O'Brien(TM), CryoLife-
O'Brien SG(TM), CryoLife-Ross(TM) and CryoLife-Ross SG(TM) are trademarks of
the Company. All other trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to
in this Prospectus are the property of their owners.
 
                                       2

<PAGE>
 
 
 
                 ---------------------------------------------
                 CRYOLIFE BIOPROSTHETIC CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES
                 ---------------------------------------------
                        Stentless Porcine Heart Valves
                        ------------------------------
CryoLife-O'Brien(TM) Aortic Valve             CryoLife-Ross(TM) Pulmonary Valve
  -------------------------   .Absence of          -------------------------
      [Image of                synthetic               [Image of
       CryoLife-O'Brien(TM)    material reduces         CryoLife-Ross(TM)
       Aortic Valve]           the risk of              Pulmonary Valve]
  -------------------------    bacterial           -------------------------
 .Matched composite leaflet     infection            .Valve with attached
 design approximates human    .Porcine tissue        conduit
 hemodynamics                  mimics structure
 .Single suture line            of human heart
 simplifies surgical           valve
 implant technique
                          Synergraft(R) Technology
                      Depopulation of Porcine Heart Valve
                      -----------------------------------
- -------------     .Reduces transplant recipient's           ------------------
 [Image of         immune response and                       [Image of
 CryoLife-         calcification                             CryoLife-Ross(TM)
 O'Brien(TM)      .Provides a platform for the patient's     Pulmonary Valve]
Aortic Valve]      own cells to populate the implant        -------------------
- -------------
 
                              Repopulation of
                            Porcine Heart Valve
                            -------------------
 
- -------------     .Reseeds porcine tissues                  -------------------
 [Image of         with viable human cells                   [Image of
 CryoLife-         prior to implantation                     CryoLife-Ross(TM)
 O'Brien(TM)                                                 Pulmonary Valve]
Aortic Valve]                                               -------------------
- -------------
 
The products above, with the exception of the CryoLife Single-Use Medical
Devices, are under development and have not been approved by the FDA for
commercial sale in the U.S.  The process of obtaining FDA approval may be
lengthy, and there can be no assurance that the products will be approved by
the FDA.

 
 
<PAGE>
 
 
 
                       ---------------------------------
                       CRYOLIFE IMPLANTABLE BIOMATERIALS
                       ---------------------------------
BIOGLUE(R) SURGICAL ADHESIVE                         FIBRX(R) SURGICAL SEALANT
- -----------------                      ------------------
                   Designed to be used                     Designed to be used
   [Image of       for cardiovascular      [Image of       for hemostasis and
    BioGlue]       and vascular repair      FibRx]         adhesion applications
                   .Double syringe                         .Light activated
- -----------------   mixing             ------------------  .Single syringe or
                   .CE Mark approval                        spray applicator
 
                      -----------------------------------
                      CRYOLIFE SINGLE USE MEDICAL DEVICES
                      -----------------------------------
                        -------------------------------
 
                                [Image of IFM
                                 product line]
 
- --------------------------                           --------------------------
                        -------------------------------
  [Image of Pruitt-                                    [Image of Dual Lumen
   Inahara(TM) Shunt]                                   Embolectomy Catheters]
- --------------------------                           --------------------------
                                                           Dual Lumen
Pruitt-Inahara(TM)                                         Embolectomy
Shunt                                                      Catheters
 .Balloon occlusion reduces                             .Irrigation capability
 plaque migration and trauma                            assists in the location
 to the artery                                          and removal of blood
                                                        clots
The products above, with the exception of the Cryolife Single-Use Medical
Devises, are under development and have not been approved by the FDA for
commercial sale in the U.S.  The process of obtaining FDA approval may be
lengthy, and there can be no assurance that the products will be approved by
the FDA.
 
<PAGE>
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto
appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus or incorporated herein by reference,
including the information under "Risk Factors." Unless otherwise indicated, all
information in this Prospectus assumes that the Underwriters' over-allotment
option is not exercised. See Glossary on page 57 for definitions of certain
terms used herein.     
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
CryoLife is the leader in the cryopreservation of viable human tissues for
cardiovascular, vascular and orthopaedic transplant applications, and develops
and commercializes additional implantable products and single-use medical
devices. The Company estimates that it provided approximately 80% of the
cryopreserved human tissue implanted in the U.S. in 1997. The Company uses its
expertise in biochemistry and cell biology, and its understanding of the needs
of the cardiovascular, vascular and orthopaedic surgery medical specialties, to
continue expansion of its core cryopreservation business and to develop or
acquire complementary implantable products and technologies for these fields.
The Company develops bioprosthetic cardiovascular devices including a novel
design stentless porcine heart valve currently marketed in the European
Community. The Company also develops proprietary implantable surgical
bioadhesives, including BioGlue surgical adhesive, which it has begun
commercializing for vascular applications within the European Community. In
addition, the Company manufactures and distributes, through its Ideas For
Medicine, Inc. ("IFM") subsidiary, single-use medical devices for use in
vascular surgical procedures. The Company has generated compound annual growth
rates in revenues and earnings per share, including contributions from
acquisitions, of 24% and 68%, respectively, since 1993.
 
CryoLife processes and distributes for transplantation cryopreserved human
heart valves and conduits, human vascular tissue and human connective tissue
for the knee. Revenues from these services, which were $44.2 million, or 87% of
total revenues, in 1997, have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 24%
since 1993. Management believes that cryopreserved human heart valves and
conduits offer certain advantages over mechanical, synthetic and animal-derived
alternatives. Depending on the alternative, these advantages include more
natural functionality, elimination of a chronic need for anti-coagulation drug
therapy, reduced incidence of reoperation and reduced risk of catastrophic
failure, thromboembolism (stroke) or calcification. The Company estimates that
the potential U.S. market for implantable products targeting indications
addressed by the Company's cryopreserved tissues was approximately $950 million
in 1997. Since 1993, cryopreserved human tissues have captured an increasing
share of this market as the total U.S. replacement heart valve market and
CryoLife's revenues from cryopreservation of human heart valves and conduits
grew at compound annual growth rates of approximately 7% and 21%, respectively.
The Company seeks to expand the availability of human tissue through its
established relationships with over 250 tissue banks and organ procurement
agencies nationwide.
   
CryoLife develops and markets outside of the U.S. bioprosthetic cardiovascular
devices for transplantation, currently consisting of fixed stentless porcine
heart valves. Fixed porcine heart valves are often preferred by surgeons for
procedures involving elderly patients because they eliminate the risk of
patient non-compliance with long-term anti-coagulation drug therapy associated
with mechanical valves, are less expensive than human heart valves and their
shorter longevity is more appropriately matched with these patients' life
expectancies. Fixed porcine heart valves address a worldwide target market
estimated to have been $175 million in 1997. Unlike most other available
porcine tissue and bovine pericardium heart valves, the Company's stentless
porcine heart valves do not contain synthetic materials which increase the risk
of endocarditis, a debilitating and potentially fatal bacterial infection. The
Company's CryoLife-O'Brien aortic heart valve, currently marketed in the
European Community and certain other territories outside the U.S., is a
stentless porcine heart valve which contains a matched composite leaflet design
that approximates human heart valve blood flow characteristics and requires
only a single suture line which simplifies surgical implantation. The Company
intends to submit a CE Mark     
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
application for the CryoLife-Ross pulmonary heart valve, another of the
Company's fixed stentless porcine valves, for marketing in the European
Community. The Company plans to apply its proprietary SynerGraft technology to
its stentless porcine heart valves. SynerGraft involves the depopulation of
living cells from the structure of non-viable animal heart tissue and the
repopulation of such tissue with human cells. This process is designed to
reduce calcification of porcine heart valves, thereby increasing longevity, and
more generally to improve the biocompatibility and functionality of such
tissue. The Company believes that its porcine heart valves, when treated with
SynerGraft technology, will expand its opportunity to address the broader
international and U.S. heart valve markets, estimated to be $348 million and
$395 million, respectively, in 1997.
 
CryoLife is developing implantable biomaterials for use as surgical adhesives
and sealants. The Company's patent protected BioGlue surgical adhesive,
designed for cardiovascular and peripheral vascular applications, is a polymer
based on a derivative of a blood protein and a cross-linking agent. The
Company's patent protected FibRx surgical sealant, designed for tissue
hemostasis and suture line sealing, is a light activated, biodegradable
surgical sealant under development which is based on a derivative of the human
blood factors fibrinogen and thrombin. Both of these products may be used with
or without sutures or staples, and may offer advantages over sutures and
staples, including more effective sealing and easier application. The Company
estimates that the annual worldwide market for surgical sutures and staples in
1997 was in excess of $2 billion. The Company recently received CE Mark
Certification for its BioGlue surgical adhesive which permits the Company to
begin marketing this product in the European Community for vascular
applications.
 
CryoLife manufactures and distributes, through its IFM subsidiary, single-use
medical devices including endarterectomy surgical instruments, intravascular
shunts, infusion ports, accessories utilized in laparoscopic procedures and a
wide range of single and dual lumen balloon catheters. The Company believes
that many of its existing single-use medical devices have novel proprietary
features that offer clinical advantages over competing products. For example,
the Company's Pruitt-Inahara Shunt was the first endarterectomy shunt available
to surgeons which contains a barrier feature designed to reduce migration of
plaque particles to the brain and trauma to the carotid artery during surgery.
Another example is the Company's dual lumen embolectomy catheter incorporating
a novel water irrigation mechanism which enables physicians to remove whole
blood clots more effectively than with single lumen embolectomy catheters. The
Company is benefiting from, and intends to utilize, its design and
manufacturing expertise to develop single-use medical devices for use in
conjunction with its cryopreserved human tissue and biomaterial products.
Examples of such devices under development include a family of balloon
catheters designed to assist in applying the BioGlue surgical adhesive and a
human heart valve holder designed to provide physicians greater control in
implantation procedures.
 
In the U.S., the Company markets its cryopreservation services for human heart
valves and conduits and human vascular tissue through its in-house technical
service representatives and relies on independent orthopaedic sales
representatives to market its cryopreservation services for human connective
tissue for the knee. Also in the U.S., the Company markets its single-use
medical devices through its in-house technical service representatives.
Internationally, cryopreserved human tissues, bioprosthetic cardiovascular
devices and single-use medical devices are distributed through independent
representatives located in several countries in Europe, South America and Asia.
The Company plans to market and distribute its BioGlue surgical adhesive
internationally through its existing independent representatives and, if
approved for sale in the U.S., through its in-house technical service
representatives.
 
The Company's primary objective is to continue its consistent growth in
revenues and profitability. The Company has generated compound annual growth
rates in revenues and net income of approximately 21% and 71%, respectively,
since 1993, excluding revenues and net income from IFM, which the Company
acquired in March 1997. The Company's strategy to generate continued growth is
based on increasing the use of cryopreserved tissues as an alternative to
mechanical and synthetic implantable products, developing new markets for
existing products and technologies and developing new products and technologies
for new and existing markets. The Company also selectively considers strategic
acquisitions of complementary technologies and businesses to supplement its
internal growth.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>   
<S>                                <C>
Common Stock offered by the
 Company.......................... 2,588,000 shares
Common Stock offered by the
 Selling Shareholders............. 162,000 shares
Total Offering.................... 2,750,000 shares
Common Stock to be outstanding
 after this Offering.............. 12,355,530 shares(1)
Use of Proceeds................... For repayment of indebtedness, expansion of
                                   facilities, general corporate purposes and
                                   potential acquisitions.
New York Stock Exchange Symbol.... CRY
</TABLE>    
- --------
          
(1) Based on the number of outstanding shares at March 30, 1998. Excludes an
    aggregate of approximately 747,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon
    exercise of stock options outstanding on that date. See "Description of
    Capital Stock" and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
    Includes 50,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion by a
    Selling Shareholder of $607,000 of a convertible debenture and 2,000 shares
    to be issued to a Selling Shareholder pursuant to the exercise of
    outstanding options.     
 
                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                         1993    1994    1995   1996(1) 1997(1)
                                        ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S>                                     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
  Revenues............................. $21,341 $23,810 $29,226 $37,228 $50,869
  Cost and expenses....................  20,448  22,046  25,930  31,145  43,236
                                        ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
  Income before income taxes...........     893   1,764   3,296   6,083   7,633
  Income tax expense...................     339     498   1,094   2,156   2,908
                                        ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
  Net income........................... $   554 $ 1,266 $ 2,202 $ 3,927 $ 4,725
                                        ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
  Earnings per share of common stock:
    Basic.............................. $   .06 $   .14 $   .23 $   .41 $   .49
                                        ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
    Diluted............................ $   .06 $   .14 $   .23 $   .40 $   .48
                                        ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
  Weighted average number of shares of
   common stock outstanding:
    Basic..............................   9,018   9,312   9,379   9,505   9,642
    Diluted............................   9,114   9,373   9,568   9,906   9,942
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                         DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                       -------------------------
                                                       ACTUAL     AS ADJUSTED(2)
                                                       -------    --------------
<S>                                                    <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Cash and cash equivalents........................... $   111(3)    $27,780
  Total assets........................................  53,749        81,418
  Long-term debt, including current maturities........  18,362         5,978
  Retained earnings...................................  12,627        12,627
  Total shareholders' equity..........................  30,227        70,280
</TABLE>    
- --------
(1) Includes United Cryopreservation Foundation Inc. ("UCFI") and IFM from
    their dates of acquisition, September 11, 1996 and March 5, 1997,
    respectively.
   
(2) Adjusted to give effect to (i) the receipt of the net proceeds from the
    sale of 2,588,000 shares of Common Stock offered by the Company hereby
    after deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated
    expenses payable by the Company in connection with this Offering, (ii) the
    repayment of the $11,777,000 outstanding principal balance under the
    Company's credit facility, (iii) the conversion of $607,000 of a
    convertible debenture into 50,000 shares of Common Stock and (iv) the
    issuance of 2,000 shares to be sold by a Selling Shareholder pursuant to
    the exercise of outstanding options. See "Use of Proceeds," "Principal and
    Selling Shareholders" and "Description of Capital Stock--Convertible
    Debenture."     
(3) At December 31, 1997, $3.2 million was available to be borrowed under the
    Company's bank credit agreements.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Prospective investors in the shares of Common Stock offered hereby should
carefully consider the following risk factors, as well as the other
information contained in this Prospectus, or incorporated by reference herein,
before purchasing any of the Common Stock offered hereby.
 
DEPENDENCE ON CRYOPRESERVATION OF HUMAN TISSUE
   
A significant portion of the Company's current revenues is derived from the
cryopreservation of human tissue, particularly heart valves and conduits. The
success of this business depends upon, among other factors, the availability
of sufficient quantities of tissue from human donors. Any material reduction
in the supply of donated human heart tissue could restrict the Company's
growth. The Company relies primarily upon the efforts of third- party
procurement agencies (all of which are not-for-profit) and others to educate
the public and foster a willingness to donate tissue. Based on the Company's
experience with human heart valves, management believes that once the use by
physicians of a particular transplantable tissue gains acceptance, demand for
that tissue will exceed the amount of tissue available from human donors.
While availability is not currently a limiting factor for most vascular tissue
and connective tissue for the knee, growth in these areas could ultimately be
limited by tissue availability, in addition to other factors. Failure of the
Company to maintain its supply of tissue for cryopreservation could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations. Furthermore, a reduction in the demand for the
Company's cryopreserved human tissue could also have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. Such
reduction could occur if competitors' products were perceived as either
functionally superior or more cost effective, if the number of procedures in
which cryopreserved tissues are used declines or if hospitals acquire
sufficient inventories of cryopreserved tissue to allow a reduction in new
orders. See "--Intense Competition" and "--Uncertainties Regarding Future
Health Care Reimbursement."     
 
INTENSE COMPETITION
   
The Company faces competition from other companies that cryopreserve human
tissue, as well as companies that market mechanical valves and synthetic and
animal tissue for implantation. Management believes that at least three tissue
banks offer cryopreservation services for human heart valves, many companies
offer processed porcine heart valves and mechanical heart valves and one
Company provides a majority of bovine pericardium. A few companies dominate
portions of the mechanical and porcine heart valve markets, including St. Jude
Medical, Inc., Medtronic, Inc. and Baxter International Inc. The Company also
faces competition from a number of competitors in the area of single-use
medical devices and is aware that several companies have surgical adhesive
products under development. Competitive products may also be under development
by other large medical device, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies.
Many of the Company's competitors have greater financial, technical,
manufacturing and marketing resources than the Company and are well
established in their markets. There can be no assurance that the Company's
products and services will be able to compete successfully with the products
of these or other companies. Any products developed by the Company that gain
regulatory clearance or approval will have to compete for market acceptance
and market share. Failure of the Company to compete effectively could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations. See "Business--Competition."     
 
RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
 
The technologies underlying the Company's products and services are subject to
rapid and profound technological change. The Company expects competition to
intensify as technical advances in each field are made and become more widely
known. There can be no assurance that others will not develop products or
processes with significant advantages over the products and processes that the
Company offers or is seeking to develop. Any such occurrence could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
UNCERTAINTIES REGARDING PRODUCTS IN DEVELOPMENT
 
The Company's growth and profitability will depend, in part, upon its ability
to complete development of and successfully introduce new products. The
Company may be required to undertake time consuming and costly development
activities and seek regulatory clearance or approval for new products. See "--
Extensive Government Regulation." Although the Company has conducted pre-
clinical studies on many of its products under development which indicate that
such products may be effective in a particular application, there can be no
assurance that the results obtained from expanded clinical studies will be
consistent with earlier trial results or be sufficient for the Company to
obtain any required regulatory approvals or clearances. There can be no
assurance that the Company will not experience difficulties that could delay
or prevent the successful development, introduction and marketing of new
products, that regulatory clearance or approval of these or any new products
will be granted on a timely basis, if ever, or that the new products will
adequately meet the requirements of the applicable market or achieve market
acceptance. The completion of the development of any of the Company's products
remains subject to all of the risks associated with the commercialization of
new products based on innovative technologies, including unanticipated
technical or other problems, manufacturing difficulties and the possible
insufficiency of the funds allocated for the completion of such development.
Consequently, there can be no assurance that any of the Company's products
under development will be successfully developed or manufactured or, if
developed and manufactured, that such products will meet price or performance
objectives, be developed on a timely basis or prove to be as effective as
competing products. The inability to complete successfully the development of
a product or application, or a determination by the Company, for financial,
technical or other reasons, not to complete development of any product or
application, particularly in instances in which the Company has made
significant capital expenditures, could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
The Company's porcine heart valve products are currently only offered for sale
outside of the U.S., and beginning in the second quarter of 1998, the Company
expects to begin shipping its BioGlue surgical adhesive for distribution in
the European Community. The Company's porcine heart valves and BioGlue
surgical adhesive are subject to the risk that the Company may be unable to
obtain regulatory approval necessary to permit commercial distribution of
these products in the U.S.
 
The Company's research and development efforts are time consuming and
expensive and there can be no assurance that these efforts will lead to
commercially successful products or services. Even the successful
commercialization of a new service or product in the medical industry can be
characterized by slow growth and high costs associated with marketing, under-
utilized production capacity and continuing research, development and
education costs. Generally, the introduction of new human tissue products
requires significant physician training and years of clinical evidence derived
from follow-up studies on human implant recipients in order to gain acceptance
in the medical community.
 
EXTENSIVE GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
Government regulation in the U.S., the European Community and other
jurisdictions represents a potentially determinative factor in the success of
the Company's efforts to market and develop its products. See "Business--
Government Regulation." The human heart valves to which the Company applies
its cryopreservation services are currently regulated as Class II medical
devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") and are subject to
significant regulatory requirements, including Quality System Regulations and
recordkeeping requirements. There can be no assurance that changes in
regulatory treatment or the adoption of new statutory or regulatory
requirements will not occur, which could adversely impact the marketing or
development of these products or could adversely affect market demand for
these products.
 
Other allograft tissues processed and distributed by the Company are currently
regulated as "human tissue" under a rule promulgated by the FDA pursuant to
the Public Health Services Act. This rule establishes requirements for donor
testing and screening of human tissue and recordkeeping relating to these
activities. Although the Company's other human tissue allografts are not
currently regulated as medical devices, such tissue
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
may in the future become subject to more extensive FDA regulation, which could
include premarket approval ("PMA") or product licensing requirements.
 
Although the regulatory status of the Company's BioGlue surgical adhesive and
FibRx surgical sealant is not certain, the Company believes that FibRx
surgical sealant will be regulated as a biologic and anticipates that BioGlue
surgical adhesive will be regulated as a Class III medical device, as a
biologic or in some other capacity by the FDA. These products have not been
approved for distribution within the U.S. To date, the FDA has never approved
for sale in the U.S. a surgical adhesive or sealant which, like FibRx surgical
sealant, is composed of human blood components. Management believes that
concerns over viral transmission may have hindered FDA approval of such
products. There can be no assurance that CryoLife's quality control protocols
will sufficiently address FDA concerns or that CryoLife will be able to
develop viral inactivation processes acceptable to the FDA or license such
processes at an acceptable cost. Fixed porcine heart valve products are
classified as Class III medical devices. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to obtain the FDA approval required to distribute its
surgical adhesives, surgical sealants or porcine heart valve products in the
U.S. Distribution of these products within the European Community is dependent
upon the Company maintaining its CE Mark and ISO 9001 certifications, of which
there can be no assurance.
 
Most of the Company's products in development, if successfully developed, will
require regulatory approvals from the FDA and perhaps other regulatory
authorities before they may be commercially distributed. The process of
obtaining required regulatory approvals from the FDA normally involves
clinical trials and the preparation of an extensive PMA application and often
takes many years. The process is expensive and can vary significantly based on
the type, complexity and novelty of the product. There can be no assurance
that any products developed by the Company, independently or in collaboration
with others, will receive the required approvals for manufacturing and
marketing. Delays in obtaining U.S. or foreign approvals could result in
substantial additional cost to the Company and adversely affect the Company's
competitive position. The FDA may also place conditions on product approvals
that could restrict commercial applications of such products. Product
marketing approvals or clearances may be withdrawn if compliance with
regulatory standards is not maintained or if problems occur following initial
marketing. Delays imposed by the governmental clearance process may materially
reduce the period during which the Company has the exclusive right to
commercialize patented products. Also, delays or rejections may be encountered
during any stage of the regulatory approval process based upon the failure of
the clinical or other data to demonstrate compliance with, or upon the failure
of the product to meet, the regulatory agency's requirements for safety,
efficacy and quality, and those requirements may become more stringent due to
changes in applicable law, regulatory agency policy or the adoption of new
regulations. Clinical trials may also be delayed due to unanticipated side
effects, inability to locate, recruit and qualify sufficient numbers of
patients, lack of funding, the inability to locate or recruit scientists, the
redesign of clinical trial programs, the inability to manufacture or acquire
sufficient quantities of the particular product candidate or any other
components required for clinical trials, changes in the Company's or its
collaborative partners' development focus and disclosure of trial results by
competitors. To date, the Company has never had to submit clinical trials for
any of its products. In the event that it should be required to perform
clinical trials, there can be no guarantee that it will be able to do so
effectively and efficiently. Even if regulatory approval is obtained for any
of the Company's products or services, the scope of the approval may
significantly limit the indicated usage for which such products or services
may be marketed.
 
Products marketed by the Company pursuant to FDA or foreign oversight or
approval are subject to pervasive and continuing regulation. In the U.S.,
devices and biologics must be manufactured in registered and, in the case of
biologics, licensed establishments and must be produced in accordance with
Quality System Regulations. Manufacturing facilities and processes are subject
to periodic FDA inspection. Labeling and promotional activities are also
subject to scrutiny by the FDA and, in certain instances, by the Federal Trade
Commission. The export of devices and biologics is also subject to regulation
and may require FDA approval. From time to time, the FDA may modify such
regulations, imposing additional or different requirements. Failure to comply
with any applicable FDA requirements, which may be ambiguous, could result in
civil and criminal enforcement actions, product recalls or detentions and
other penalties and could have a material adverse effect on the
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. In
addition, the National Organ Transplant Act ("NOTA") prohibits the acquisition
or transfer of human organs for "valuable consideration" for use in human
transplantation. NOTA permits the payment of reasonable expenses associated
with the removal, transportation, processing, preservation, quality control
and storage of human organs. There can be no assurance that restrictive
interpretations of NOTA will not be adopted in the future that will challenge
one or more aspects of the Company's methods of charging for its
cryopreservation services. The Company's laboratory operations are subject to
the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration
and Environmental Protection Agency requirements for prevention of
occupational exposure to infectious agents and hazardous chemicals and
protection of the environment. Some states have enacted statutes and
regulations governing the processing, transportation and storage of human
organs and tissue. While management believes that the Company is presently in
compliance in all material respects with all such applicable statutes and
regulations, there can be no assurance that more restrictive state laws or
regulations will not be adopted in the future that could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations. See "Business--Government Regulation."
 
UNCERTAINTIES RELATED TO PATENTS AND PROTECTION OF PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY
 
The Company owns several patents, patent applications and licenses relating to
its technologies, which it believes provide important competitive advantages.
There can be no assurance that the Company's pending patent applications will
issue as patents or that challenges will not be instituted concerning the
validity or enforceability of any patent owned by the Company, or, if
instituted, that such challenges will not be successful. The cost of
litigation to uphold the validity and prevent infringement of a patent could
be substantial. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that competitors will
not independently develop similar technologies or duplicate the Company's
technologies or design around the patented aspects of the Company's
technologies. There can be no assurance that the Company's proposed
technologies will not infringe patents or other rights owned by others. In
addition, under certain of the Company's license agreements, if the Company
fails to meet certain contractual obligations, including the payment of
minimum royalty amounts, such licenses may become nonexclusive or terminable
by the licensor, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, the
Company protects its proprietary technologies and processes in part by
confidentiality agreements with its collaborative partners, employees and
consultants. There can be no assurance that these agreements will not be
breached, that the Company will have adequate remedies for any breach or that
the Company's trade secrets will not otherwise become known or independently
discovered by competitors, any of which could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
UNCERTAINTIES REGARDING FUTURE HEALTH CARE REIMBURSEMENT
 
Even though the Company does not receive payments directly from third-party
health care payors, their reimbursement methods and policies impact demand for
the Company's cryopreserved tissue and other services and products. The
Company's cryopreservation services may be particularly susceptible to third-
party cost containment measures. In particular, the initial cost of a
cryopreserved human heart valve generally exceeds the cost of a mechanical,
synthetic or animal-derived valve. The Company is unable to predict what
changes will be made in the reimbursement methods and policies utilized by
third-party health care payors or their effect on the Company. Changes in the
reimbursement methods and policies utilized by third-party health care payors,
including Medicare, with respect to cryopreserved tissues provided for implant
by the Company and other Company services and products, could have a material
adverse effect on the Company. Significant uncertainty exists as to the
reimbursement status of newly approved health care products and services and
there can be no assurance that adequate third-party coverage will be available
for the Company to maintain price levels sufficient for realization of an
appropriate return on its investment in developing new products. Government
and other third-party payors are increasingly attempting to contain health
care costs by limiting both coverage and the level of reimbursement for new
products approved for marketing by the FDA and by refusing in some cases to
provide any coverage for uses of approved products for indications for which
the FDA has not granted marketing approval. If adequate coverage and
reimbursement levels are not provided by government and other third-party
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
payors for uses of the Company's new products and services, market acceptance
of these products would be adversely affected, which could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
The Company's business and future operating results depend in significant part
upon the continued contributions of its key technical personnel and senior
management, many of whom would be difficult to replace. The Company's business
and future operating results also depend in significant part upon its ability
to attract and retain qualified management, processing, technical, marketing,
sales and support personnel for its operation. Competition for such personnel
is intense and there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful
in attracting and retaining such personnel. The loss of key employees, the
failure of any key employee to perform adequately or the Company's inability
to attract and retain skilled employees as needed could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
 
PRODUCT LIABILITY AND INSURANCE
 
The use of the Company's products involves the possibility of adverse effects
that could expose the Company to product liability claims. A recent U.S.
Supreme Court decision held that product liability may exist despite FDA
approval, and future court decisions may also increase the Company's risk of
product liability. From time to time, the Company is involved in legal
proceedings based on product liability claims of a nature considered normal to
its business. The Company is currently involved in one such proceeding. The
Company's products are used by health care providers in connection with the
treatment of patients, who will, on occasion, sustain injury or die as a
result of their condition or medical treatment. If a lawsuit is filed because
of such an occurrence, the Company, along with physicians and nurses,
hospitals and other medical suppliers, may be named as a defendant, and
whether or not the Company is ultimately determined to be liable, the Company
may incur significant legal expenses. In addition, such litigation could
damage the Company's reputation and therefore impair its ability to market its
products or obtain product liability insurance and could cause the premiums
for such insurance to increase. Although the Company has incurred minimal
losses due to product liability claims to date, there can be no assurance that
it will not incur significant losses in the future. The Company currently
maintains product liability insurance in the aggregate amount of $14 million
per year. There can be no assurance that such coverage will continue to be
available on terms acceptable to the Company or will be adequate to cover any
losses due to product claims if actually incurred. Furthermore, if any such
claim is successful, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Business--Legal
Proceedings."
 
MANAGEMENT DISCRETION IN USE OF PROCEEDS
   
The Company will have broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds to
the Company of this Offering, including approximately 70% of such net proceeds
not designated for the repayment of indebtedness. As a result of such
discretion, the Company's management could allocate the net proceeds to the
Company of this Offering for uses that the shareholders may not deem
desirable. In addition, there can be no assurance that the net proceeds can or
will be invested to yield an acceptable return. See "Use of Proceeds."     
 
USE AND DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
 
The Company's research, development and processing activities involve the
controlled use of small quantities of radioactive compounds, chemical solvents
and other hazardous materials. The Company's activities also include the
preservation and growth of human cells and the processing of human tissue.
Although the Company believes that its safety procedures for handling,
processing and disposing of hazardous materials and human tissue comply with
the standards prescribed by federal, state and local regulations, the risk of
accidental contamination, injury or disease transmission from these materials
cannot be completely eliminated. In the event of such an accident or
transmission, the Company could be held liable for resulting damages and any
liability could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations. Also, any failure to comply
with applicable regulations could result in the imposition of penalties, fines
and sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
VOLATILITY OF SECURITIES PRICES
 
The trading price of the Company's Common Stock has been subject to wide
fluctuations from time to time and may continue to be subject to such
volatility in the future. Trading price fluctuations can be caused by a
variety of factors, including quarter to quarter variations in operating
results, announcement of technological innovations or new products by the
Company or its competitors, governmental regulatory acts, developments with
respect to patents or proprietary rights, general conditions in the medical
device or service industries, actions taken by government regulators, changes
in earnings estimates by securities analysts or other events or factors, many
of which are beyond the Company's control. If the Company's revenues or
operating results in future quarters fall below the expectations of securities
analysts and investors, the price of the Company's Common Stock would likely
decline, perhaps substantially. Changes in the trading price of the Company's
Common Stock may bear no relation to the Company's actual operational or
financial results.
 
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
 
The Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws contain provisions that may
discourage or make more difficult any attempt by a person or group to obtain
control of the Company, including provisions authorizing the issuance of
preferred stock ("Preferred Stock") without shareholder approval, restricting
the persons who may call a special meeting of the shareholders and prohibiting
shareholders from taking action by written consent. In addition, the Company
is subject to certain provisions of Florida law that may discourage or make
more difficult takeover attempts or acquisitions of substantial amounts of the
Company's Common Stock. Further, pursuant to the terms of a shareholder rights
plan adopted in 1995, each outstanding share of Common Stock has one attached
right. The rights will cause substantial dilution of the ownership of a person
or group that attempts to acquire the Company on terms not approved by the
Board and may have the effect of deterring hostile takeover attempts. See
"Description of Capital Stock."
 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
   
Substantially all of the Company's outstanding Common Stock is available for
sale in the public marketplace. As of March 30, 1998, there were also
outstanding stock options to purchase an aggregate of approximately 749,000
shares of Common Stock at various exercise prices per share. The majority of
the shares to be received upon exercise of these options will be available for
immediate resale in the public markets. No prediction can be made as to the
effect, if any, that sales of shares of Common Stock or the availability of
such shares for sale will have on the market prices prevailing from time to
time. The possibility exists that substantial amounts of Common Stock may be
sold in the public market, which may adversely affect prevailing market prices
for the Common Stock and could impair the Company's ability to raise capital
through the sale of its equity securities. See "Shares Eligible for Future
Sale."     
 
ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS
 
The Company has not paid, and does not presently intend to pay, cash
dividends. The Company's major credit agreement contains, and future credit
agreements may contain, financial covenants, including covenants to maintain
certain levels of net worth and certain leverage ratios, which could have the
effect of restricting the amount of dividends that the Company may pay. It is
not likely that any cash dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future. See
"Dividend Policy."
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
                          FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
This Prospectus includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act") and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All
statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus which address activities, events
or developments which the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in
the future, including statements regarding the Company's competitive position,
the timing of the application to the FDA for approval of the stentless
CryoLife-O'Brien porcine heart valves, BioGlue surgical adhesive and FibRx
surgical sealant, other estimated dates relating to the Company's proposed
regulatory submissions, estimates regarding 1998 research and development
expenditures, the Company's expectations regarding the adequacy of current
financing arrangements, product demand and market growth, and other statements
regarding future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and
similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions
and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception
of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as
well as other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances.
However, whether actual results and developments will conform with the
Company's expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the
Company's expectations, including the risk factors discussed in this
Prospectus and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the
Company. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this
Prospectus are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no
assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by the Company
will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the
expected consequences to or effects on the Company or its business or
operations. The Company assumes no obligation to update publicly any such
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of shares of Common Stock
offered by the Company hereby are approximately $39,400,000 ($45,800,000 if
the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) and after
deduction of the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering
expenses payable by the Company. The Company will not receive any proceeds
from the sale of shares of Common Stock offered hereunder by the Selling
Shareholders.     
   
The Company anticipates that a portion of the net proceeds will be used to
repay all outstanding indebtedness under its credit facility (the "Credit
Facility") with NationsBank N.A. This indebtedness was incurred pursuant to a
term note and revolving note, and was used, in part, to finance the Company's
new headquarters facility and its new IFM manufacturing facility. At March 30,
1998, approximately $12.8 million in principal and accrued and unpaid interest
was outstanding under the Credit Facility at interest rates ranging from
approximately 7.4% to 8.5% per annum. See Note 4 to Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements contained elsewhere in this Prospectus. Such borrowings
under the Credit Facility are repayable over time in varying amounts with the
final payment due December 31, 2004. The balance of the net proceeds will be
used for manufacturing facilities expansion and general corporate purposes,
including working capital, and may be used for potential acquisitions. The
Company selectively considers strategic acquisitions of complementary
technologies, but it currently has no specific plans for any such acquisition.
Pending such uses, the Company expects to invest the net proceeds in short-
term, interest-bearing, investment grade securities.     
 
The Company anticipates that its current resources, together with the net
proceeds of this Offering and continued revenue from sales of its products and
services at present levels will be sufficient to meet the Company's operating
and capital requirements for the next 12 months. However, there can be no
assurance that the Company will not need to obtain additional financing prior
to such time, or that such financing will be available on terms acceptable to
the Company, or at all. The Company's actual cash requirements may vary
materially from those now planned, and will depend upon numerous factors,
including the Company's results of operations, the results of the Company's
development and commercialization programs, the timing and results of pre-
clinical and clinical trials, the timing and costs of obtaining regulatory
approvals, the level of resources that the Company commits to the development
of manufacturing, marketing and sales capabilities, the technological advances
and activities of competitors and other factors. See "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and
Capital Resources" and "Risk Factors--Management Discretion in Use of
Proceeds."
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Company's Common Stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol "CRY." Prior
to July 15, 1997, the Company's Common Stock was traded on the Nasdaq National
Market under the symbol "CRYL." The following table sets forth, for the
periods indicated, the intra-day high and low sale prices per share of Common
Stock on the NYSE or the Nasdaq National Market, as applicable:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                HIGH      LOW
                                                              --------- --------
   <S>                                                        <C>       <C>
   1998
   First Quarter (through March 30, 1998).................... $17 15/16 $12 1/4
   1997
   Fourth Quarter............................................  19        13
   Third Quarter.............................................  16 1/8    11 1/4
   Second Quarter............................................  13 1/4     7 5/8
   First Quarter.............................................  14 1/4     8
   1996
   Fourth Quarter............................................  15 3/4    12 3/16
   Third Quarter.............................................  20 1/2    11 1/4
   Second Quarter............................................  20 3/4    10 4/5
   First Quarter.............................................  12 5/8     7
   1995
   Fourth Quarter............................................   9 1/16    6 1/8
   Third Quarter.............................................   9 1/8     5 3/8
   Second Quarter............................................   5 5/8     3 3/8
   First Quarter.............................................   4 1/4     3 1/8
</TABLE>    
   
The last reported sales price per share for the Common Stock on the NYSE on
March 30, 1998 was $16 5/8. As of March 30, 1998, there were approximately 416
holders of record, and approximately 7,000 beneficial holders, of the
Company's Common Stock.     
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its Common Stock.
The Company currently intends to retain any future earnings for funding growth
and, therefore, does not anticipate paying any cash dividends on its Common
Stock in the foreseeable future. The holders of any shares of Preferred Stock
issued by the Company will have a preference as to the payment of dividends
over the holders of shares of Common Stock. No shares of Preferred Stock are
currently issued and outstanding. See "Description of Capital Stock." The
Credit Facility contains, and future credit agreements may contain, financial
covenants, including covenants to maintain certain levels of net worth and
certain leverage ratios, which could have the effect of restricting the amount
of dividends that the Company may pay.
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
                                CAPITALIZATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
The following table sets forth as of December 31, 1997 (i) the actual
capitalization of the Company and (ii) the capitalization as adjusted to give
effect to (a) the receipt of the net proceeds from the sale of 2,588,000
shares of Common Stock offered by the Company hereby after deduction of
underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by the
Company in connection with this Offering, (b) the repayment of $11,777,000 in
principal under the Credit Facility, (c) the conversion of $607,000 of the
convertible debenture into 50,000 shares of Common Stock and (d) the issuance
of 2,000 shares to be sold by a Selling Shareholder pursuant to the exercise
of outstanding options. This table should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and Notes thereto included
elsewhere in this Prospectus:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                         DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                      ------------------------
                                                        ACTUAL     AS ADJUSTED
                                                      -----------  -----------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>
Current maturities of long-term debt................. $ 1,496,000  $   496,000
Long-term debt:
  Bank loans.........................................  10,777,000          --
  Convertible debenture..............................   5,000,000    4,393,000
  Other long-term debt...............................   1,089,000    1,089,000
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share;
   authorized 5,000,000 shares including 2,000,000
   shares of Series A junior participating preferred
   stock; no shares issued...........................         --           --
  Common stock, $.01 par value per share; authorized
   50,000,000 shares; 10,242,961 shares issued;
   12,882,961 shares issued as adjusted(1)...........     102,000      128,000
  Additional paid-in capital.........................  17,694,000   57,721,000
  Treasury stock, 543,000 shares, at cost............    (180,000)    (180,000)
  Retained earnings..................................  12,627,000   12,627,000
  Notes receivable from shareholder..................     (16,000)     (16,000)
                                                      -----------  -----------
    Total shareholders' equity.......................  30,227,000   70,280,000
                                                      -----------  -----------
      Total capitalization........................... $48,589,000  $76,258,000
                                                      ===========  ===========
</TABLE>    
- --------
(1) Excludes an aggregate of 754,000 Shares of Common Stock issuable upon
    exercise of options outstanding as of December 31, 1997 at a weighted
    average exercise price of $8.95 per share, of which options to purchase
    308,000 shares were exercisable. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
                     SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The following Selected Consolidated Financial Data should be read in
conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes
thereto, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" and other financial information included elsewhere in
this Prospectus or incorporated herein by reference. The data set forth below
with respect to the Company's Consolidated Income Statements and Balance
Sheets for, and as of the end of, the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997
are derived from the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements which have
been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, and which are
included elsewhere in this Prospectus and are qualified by reference to such
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto. The selected data
presented below for, and as of the end of, each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1995, are derived from the Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Company, which Consolidated Financial Statements have been
audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent auditors. The Consolidated
Income Statement for the year ended December 31, 1995, and the report thereon,
are included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The historical results are not
necessarily indicative of future results of operations.
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                         ---------------------------------------
                          1993    1994    1995    1996    1997
                         ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
                          (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                      <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>        <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Revenues:
  Cryopreservation...... $18,938 $22,818 $27,994 $36,293 $44,242
  Bioprosthetic
   cardiovascular
   devices..............     933     414     263     385     576
  Single-use medical
   devices..............     --      --      --      --    5,591
  Other income..........   1,470     578     969     550     460
                         ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
    Total Revenues......  21,341  23,810  29,226  37,228  50,869
Expenses:
  Cost of
   cryopreservation and
   products.............   8,759   8,965  10,485  12,593  17,764
  Research and
   development..........   1,384   1,975   2,634   2,807   3,946
  General,
   administrative and
   marketing............  10,282  11,085  12,807  15,673  20,548
  Interest expense......      23      21       4      72     978
                         ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
    Total Expenses......  20,448  22,046  25,930  31,145  43,236
Income before income
 taxes..................     893   1,764   3,296   6,083   7,633
Income tax expense......     339     498   1,094   2,156   2,908
                         ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
  Net income............ $   554 $ 1,266 $ 2,202 $ 3,927 $ 4,725
                         ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Earnings per share of
 common stock:
  Basic................. $   .06 $   .14 $   .23 $   .41 $   .49
                         ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
  Diluted............... $   .06 $   .14 $   .23 $   .40 $   .48
                         ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Weighted average number
 of shares of common
 stock outstanding:
  Basic.................   9,018   9,312   9,379   9,505   9,642
  Diluted...............   9,114   9,373   9,568   9,906   9,942
<CAPTION>
                                      DECEMBER 31,                  AS ADJUSTED
                         ---------------------------------------    DECEMBER 31,
                          1993    1994    1995    1996    1997        1997(1)
                         ------- ------- ------- ------- -------    ------------
<S>                      <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash, cash equivalents
 and marketable
 securities............. $ 5,079 $ 6,366 $ 6,182 $ 1,370 $   111(2)   $27,780
Total assets............  20,075  21,417  24,132  34,973  53,749       81,418
Long-term debt,
 including current
 maturities.............     --      --      --    3,326  18,362        5,978
Retained earnings.......     506   1,773   3,975   7,902  12,627       12,627
Total shareholders'
 equity.................  16,615  17,933  20,465  24,929  30,227       70,280
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
(1) Adjusted to give effect to (a) the receipt of the net proceeds from the
    sale of 2,588,000 shares of Common Stock offered by the Company hereby
    after deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated
    expenses payable by the Company in connection with this Offering, (b) the
    repayment of $11,777,000 in principal under the Credit Facility, (c) the
    conversion of $607,000 of the convertible debenture into 50,000 shares of
    Common Stock and (d) the issuance of 2,000 shares to be sold by a Selling
    Shareholder pursuant to the exercise of outstanding options.     
(2) At December 31, 1997, $3.2 million was available to be borrowed under the
    Credit Facility.
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations
of CryoLife should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated
Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in the Prospectus.
See Glossary on page 57 for definitions of certain terms used herein.
 
OVERVIEW
 
The Company was organized in 1984 to address market opportunities in the area
of biological implantable products and materials, and today is the leader in
the cryopreservation of viable human tissue for cardiovascular, vascular and
orthopaedic applications. A majority of the Company's current revenues are
derived from the cryopreservation of human heart valves and conduits,
reflecting CryoLife's initial exclusive focus on this area. The Company began
cryopreserving aortic heart valves in 1984, pulmonary heart valves in 1986 and
mitral heart valves in 1995. CryoLife has also expanded into the
cryopreservation of other human tissue, including vascular tissue and
connective tissue for the knee.
 
The Company pays a fee to an organ procurement agency or tissue bank at the
time such organization consigns human tissue to the Company. The Company
generates revenues from cryopreservation services by charging hospitals a fee,
which covers the Company's services, the associated procurement fee and
applicable shipping expenses. The Company records revenue upon shipping
tissue. Costs associated with the procurement, processing and storage of
tissue are accounted for as deferred preservation costs on the Company's
balance sheet and are expensed when the tissue is shipped. The Company
continually monitors cryopreserved tissue in its possession to determine its
viability. Tissue determined not to be suitable for implantation is disposed
of properly, and the associated deferred preservation costs are expensed. As
part of an effort to reduce its working capital needs, while simultaneously
facilitating the use of cryopreserved tissue, the Company provides liquid
nitrogen freezers to a number of hospitals. The Company retains ownership of
the liquid nitrogen freezers and, consequently, incurs associated depreciation
charges. The hospitals are responsible for operating expenses related to the
use of the liquid nitrogen freezers.
 
The Company has expanded, and intends to continue to expand, its portfolio of
products and services. Much of this expansion has been accomplished through
acquisitions of intellectual property and businesses. In 1992, the Company
purchased for $730,000 the exclusive distribution rights for a line of
stentless porcine heart valves which the Company currently markets in the
European Community. In 1996, the Company purchased for $275,000 a patent for
an advanced design stentless pulmonary porcine heart valve. Also in 1996, the
Company acquired the assets of UCFI, a tissue processor, for $750,000 in cash
and a $1.3 million note. In 1997, the Company acquired IFM and its line of
single-use medical devices for $4.5 million in cash, a $5.0 million
convertible debenture and a commitment to pay additional cash consideration
(not to exceed $1.8 million) if certain target net revenues of IFM are
exceeded.
 
The composition of the Company's revenues is expected to change in future
years, reflecting, among other things, the anticipated growth in shipments of
human vascular tissue and human connective tissue for the knee, the
acquisition of IFM and the introduction into the European Community of BioGlue
surgical adhesive as well as other expected new products.
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
The following table outlines product shipment and revenue data for the
Company's major product lines from 1995 to 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                         -----------------------
      UNITS SHIPPED AND REVENUES BY MAJOR PRODUCT LINE    1995    1996    1997
      ------------------------------------------------   ------- ------- -------
                                                         (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
      <S>                                                <C>     <C>     <C>
      Human Heart Valves and Conduits:
        Units shipped..................................    3,499   4,528   5,244
        Revenues.......................................  $19,767 $24,763 $29,046
      Human Vascular Tissue:
        Units shipped..................................    1,765   2,147   2,621
        Revenues.......................................  $ 6,771 $ 8,172 $10,469
      Human Connective Tissue for the Knee:
        Units shipped..................................      573   1,562   1,859
        Revenues.......................................  $ 1,456 $ 3,358 $ 4,727
      Bioprosthetic Cardiovascular Devices:
        Units shipped..................................      198     256     532
        Revenues.......................................  $   263 $   385 $   576
</TABLE>
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Year Ended December 31, 1997 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1996
 
Revenues increased 37% to $50.9 million in 1997 from $37.2 million in 1996.
The increase in revenues was primarily due to the growing acceptance in the
medical community of cryopreserved tissues, the Company's ability to procure
greater amounts of tissue, price increases for certain cryopreservation
services and revenues attributable to the Company's line of single-use medical
devices following the IFM acquisition in March 1997. Revenues attributable to
IFM were $5.6 million in 1997.
 
Revenues from human heart valve and conduit cryopreservation services
increased 17% to $29.0 million in 1997 from $24.8 million in 1996,
representing 57% and 67%, respectively, of total revenues during such years.
This increase in revenues was primarily due to a 16% increase in the number of
heart allograft shipments.
 
Revenues from human vascular tissue cryopreservation services increased 28% to
$10.5 million in 1997 from $8.2 million in 1996, representing 21% and 22%,
respectively, of total revenues during such years. This increase in revenues
was primarily due to a 22% increase in the number of vascular allograft
shipments resulting from the introduction of cryopreserved tissues for new
procedures and an increased demand for the Company's existing cryopreservation
services.
 
Revenues from human connective tissue for the knee cryopreservation services
increased 38% to $4.7 million in 1997 from $3.4 million in 1996, representing
9% of total revenues during each year. This increase in revenues was primarily
due to a 19% increase in the number of allograft shipments and a greater
proportion of the 1997 shipments consisting of cryopreserved menisci, which
have a significantly higher per unit revenue than the Company's cryopreserved
tendons.
 
Revenues from the sale of bioprosthetic cardiovascular devices in 1997 were
$576,000 compared to $385,000 in 1996, representing 1% of revenues during each
year. Other revenues decreased to $460,000 in 1997 from $550,000 in 1996.
Other revenues in 1997 consisted primarily of research grant award revenues
related to the Company's SynerGraft technology.
 
Cost of cryopreservation services and products increased to $17.8 million in
1997 from $12.6 million in 1996. Cost of cryopreservation services and
products as a percentage of revenues increased to 35% in 1997 from 34% in
1996. This increase was primarily due to the increased overhead costs
associated with the new corporate headquarters and the addition of the IFM
product line, partially offset by efficiencies gained with the increase in the
number of allografts processed.
 
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
General, administrative and marketing expenses increased 31% to $20.5 million
in 1997 from $15.7 million in 1996, representing 40% and 42%, respectively, of
total revenues during such years. The increased expenses of approximately $4.8
million were primarily attributable to increased costs associated with the
Company's new corporate headquarters, increased fees paid to technical
representatives and other related marketing expenses relating to the growth in
revenues and increases in general overhead expenses to support the growth in
revenues.
 
The Company has continued its commitment to research and development activity,
spending approximately $3.9 million in 1997 and $2.8 million in 1996,
representing 8% of total revenues during each year. The Company's research and
development expenditures during 1997 were primarily for the development of
bioadhesives for surgical applications and its SynerGraft technology.
 
Year Ended December 31, 1996 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1995
 
Revenues increased 27% to $37.2 million in 1996 from $29.2 million in 1995.
The increase in revenues was primarily due to growing acceptance in the
medical community of cryopreserved tissues, the Company's ability to procure
greater amounts of tissue and price increases for certain services.
 
Revenues from human heart valve and conduit cryopreservation services
increased 25% to $24.8 million in 1996 from $19.8 million in 1995,
representing 67% and 68%, respectively, of total revenues during such years.
This increase in revenues was primarily due to a 29% increase in the number of
heart allograft shipments.
 
Revenues from human vascular tissue cryopreservation services increased 21% to
$8.2 million in 1996 from $6.8 million in 1995, representing 22% and 23%,
respectively, of total revenues during such years. This increase in revenues
was primarily due to a 22% increase in the number of vascular allograft
shipments.
 
Revenues from human connective tissue for the knee cryopreservation services
increased 127% to $3.4 million in 1996 from $1.5 million in 1995, representing
9% and 5%, respectively, of total revenues during each year. This increase in
revenues was primarily due to a 173% increase in the number of allograft
shipments partially offset by a decrease in the unit revenue of cryopreserved
tendons.
 
Revenues from the sale of bioprosthetic cardiovascular devices in 1996 were
$385,000 compared to $263,000 in 1995, representing 1% of revenues during each
year. This increase in revenues was primarily due to a 29% increase in the
number of units shipped.
 
Other revenues decreased to $550,000 in 1996 from $969,000 in 1995. Other
revenues in 1996 consisted primarily of research grant award revenues and a
fee from a terminated agreement with Bayer Corporation. Research grant award
revenues in 1996 were primarily related to the development of bioadhesives for
surgical application and the Company's SynerGraft technology. The decrease
compared to 1995 was primarily attributable to the sale of the Company's
patented Viral Inactivation Process ("VIP") technology to Osteotech, Inc. for
approximately $450,000 in 1995. The Company had developed its VIP technology
to eliminate potential viruses from human bone processed by the Company. The
Company sold its bone processing business in 1993.
   
Costs of cryopreservation services and products increased to $12.6 million in
1996 from $10.5 million in 1995. Cost of cryopreservation services and
products as a percentage of cryopreservation revenues decreased to 34% in 1996
from 37% in 1995. This decrease was primarily due to an increase in the volume
of processed tissue and more efficient processing methods.     
 
General, administrative and marketing expenses increased 23% to $15.7 million
in 1996 from $12.8 million in 1995, representing 42% and 44%, respectively, of
total revenues during such years. The increased expenses of approximately $2.9
million were primarily attributable to additional regulatory and quality
assurance costs related to the Company's CE Mark and ISO 9001 certifications,
increased fees paid to technical representatives and other related marketing
expenses resulting from the growth in revenues and increases in general
overhead expenses to support the growth in revenues.
 
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
The Company continued its commitment to research and development activity,
spending approximately $2.8 million and $2.6 million in 1996 and 1995,
representing 8% and 9%, respectively, of total revenues during such years. The
Company's research and development expenditures during 1996 were primarily for
the development of bioadhesives for surgical applications and the SynerGraft
technology.
 
Seasonality
 
The demand for the Company's human heart valve and conduit cryopreservation
services is seasonal, with peak demand generally occurring in the second and
third quarters. Management believes that this demand trend for human heart
valve and conduit cryopreservation services is primarily due to the high
number of surgeries scheduled during the summer months. Management believes
that the trends experienced by the Company to date for its human connective
tissue for the knee cryopreservation services indicate that this business may
also be seasonal because it is an elective procedure that may be performed
less frequently during the fourth quarter holiday months. However, the demand
for the Company's vascular tissue cryopreservation services, bioprosthetic
cardiovascular devices and single-use medical devices does not appear to
experience this seasonal trend.
 
Quarterly Results
 
The Company achieved record revenues and earnings in both the year and three
months ended December 31, 1997, as compared to comparable prior periods, with
the fourth quarter of 1997 being the Company's tenth consecutive quarter of
record revenues and earnings as compared to the same quarter for prior years.
In the opinion of management, the information set forth in the table below has
been prepared on a basis consistent with the Company's audited Consolidated
Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in the Prospectus, and all necessary
adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) have been
included to present fairly the unaudited quarterly results in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. The results for any quarter are not
necessarily indicative of results to be expected in any future period.
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
The following table presents selected unaudited quarterly income statement
data for each of the eight quarters in the period ended December 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     QUARTER ENDED
                          -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        1996                              1997
                          --------------------------------- ---------------------------------
                          MARCH 31 JUNE 30 SEPT. 30 DEC. 31 MARCH 31 JUNE 30 SEPT. 30 DEC. 31
                          -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- -------
                                         (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                       <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>
REVENUES:
 Cryopreservation
  services..............   $8,103  $9,544  $10,067  $8,579   $9,725  $10,910 $12,689  $10,918
 Bioprosthetic
  cardiovascular
  devices...............      157      75       71      82      104      135     177      160
 Single-use medical
  devices...............      --      --       --      --       554    1,596   1,703    1,738
 Interest and other
  income................      174      79      273      24       30       82      72      276
                           ------  ------  -------  ------   ------  ------- -------  -------
 Total Revenues.........    8,434   9,698   10,411   8,685   10,413   12,723  14,641   13,092
EXPENSES:
 Cost of
  cryopreservation
  services and
  products..............    2,879   3,289    3,563   2,862    3,426    4,550   5,112    4,676
 Research and
  development...........      690     701      616     800      849      857   1,243      997
 General, administrative
  and marketing.........    3,626   4,181    4,239   3,627    4,479    5,165   5,620    5,284
 Interest expense.......      --      --        39      33      132      296     317      233
                           ------  ------  -------  ------   ------  ------- -------  -------
 Total Expenses.........    7,195   8,171    8,457   7,322    8,886   10,868  12,292   11,190
                           ------  ------  -------  ------   ------  ------- -------  -------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME
 TAXES..................    1,239   1,527    1,954   1,363    1,527    1,855   2,349    1,902
 Income tax expense.....      457     539      693     467      575      695     891      747
                           ------  ------  -------  ------   ------  ------- -------  -------
NET INCOME..............   $  782  $  988  $ 1,261  $  896   $  952  $ 1,160 $ 1,458  $ 1,155
                           ======  ======  =======  ======   ======  ======= =======  =======
EARNINGS PER SHARE OF
 COMMON STOCK:
 Basic..................   $  .08  $  .11  $   .13  $  .09   $  .10  $   .12 $   .15  $   .12
                           ======  ======  =======  ======   ======  ======= =======  =======
 Diluted................   $  .08  $  .10  $   .13  $  .09   $  .10  $   .12 $   .15  $   .12
                           ======  ======  =======  ======   ======  ======= =======  =======
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER
 OF SHARES OF COMMON
 STOCK OUTSTANDING:
 Basic..................    9,433   9,491    9,529   9,575    9,581    9,615   9,670    9,694
 Diluted................    9,756   9,933    9,925   9,943    9,877    9,889   9,978   10,023
</TABLE>
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
At December 31, 1997, net working capital was $18.8 million, compared to $10.8
million at December 31, 1996, with a current ratio of 4-to-1 at December 31,
1997. The Company's primary capital requirements arise out of general working
capital needs, capital expenditures for facilities and equipment and funding
of research and development projects. The Company historically has funded
these requirements through bank credit facilities, cash generated by
operations and equity offerings.
 
Net cash used in operating activities was $2.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 1997, as compared to net cash provided by operating activities of
$3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. This decrease resulted from
an increase in deferred cryopreservation costs to support the growing
acceptance of the Company's existing cryopreserved tissues as well as new
cryopreserved tissue offerings in 1997.
 
Net cash used in investing activities was $9.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 1997, as compared to $4.2 million for the year ended December 31,
1996. This increase primarily resulted from the Company's acquisition of IFM.
 
Net cash provided by financing activities was $10.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 1997, as compared to $1.8 million for the year ended December 31,
1996. This increase was primarily attributable to borrowings under the
Company's credit facility in connection with the acquisition of IFM and the
construction of the new Company and IFM facilities and increased deferred
cryopreservation costs.
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
The Company anticipates that the net proceeds from this Offering, together
with borrowings under its existing credit agreements and cash generated from
operations will be sufficient to meet its operating and development needs for
the next 12 months. However, the Company's future liquidity and capital
requirements beyond that period will depend upon numerous factors, including
the timing of the Company's receipt of FDA approvals to begin clinical trials
for its products currently in development, the resources required to further
develop its marketing and sales capabilities if, and when, those products gain
approval, the resources required to expand manufacturing capacity and the
extent to which the Company's products generate market acceptance and demand.
There can be no assurance that the Company will not require additional
financing or will not seek to raise additional funds through bank facilities,
debt or equity offerings or other sources of capital to meet future
requirements. These additional funds may not be available when needed or on
terms acceptable to the Company, which could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
INFLATION
 
Although the Company cannot determine the precise effects of inflation,
management does not believe it has had a significant effect on revenues or
results of operations and does not expect it to have a significant effect in
the near future.
 
YEAR 2000
 
The Company is aware of the issues that many computer systems will face as the
millennium (year 2000) approaches. The Company, however, believes that its own
internal software and hardware is year 2000 compliant. The Company believes
that any year 2000 problems encountered by procurement agencies, hospitals and
other customers and vendors are not likely to have a material adverse effect
on the Company's operations. The Company anticipates no other year 2000
problems which are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the
Company's operations. There can be no assurance, however, that such problems
will not arise.
 
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income ("Statement 130"). Statement
130 establishes new standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive
income and its components in a full set of general purpose financial
statements. These new standards require that all items recognized as
components of comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that
is displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements.
Statement 130 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997.
The adoption of Statement 130 will not have a significant impact on the
Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement 131, Disclosures About Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information ("Statement 131"). Statement 131 changes
the way public companies report segment information in annual financial
statements and also requires those companies to report selected segment
information in interim financial reports. Statement 131 is effective for years
beginning after December 15, 1997. The adoption of Statement 131 will not have
a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial position and
results of operations, but will require additional disclosure in the notes to
the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
                                   BUSINESS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
See Glossary on page 57 for definitions of certain terms used herein.
 
OVERVIEW
 
CryoLife is the leader in the cryopreservation of viable human tissues for
cardiovascular, vascular and orthopaedic transplant applications, and develops
and commercializes additional implantable products and single-use medical
devices. The Company estimates that it provided approximately 80% of the
cryopreserved human tissue implanted in the U.S. in 1997. The Company uses its
expertise in biochemistry and cell biology, and its understanding of the needs
of the cardiovascular, vascular and orthopaedic surgery medical specialties,
to continue expansion of its core cryopreservation business and to develop or
acquire complementary implantable products and technologies for these fields.
The Company develops bioprosthetic cardiovascular devices including a novel
design stentless porcine heart valve currently marketed in the European
Community. The Company also develops proprietary implantable surgical
bioadhesives, including BioGlue surgical adhesive, which it has begun
commercializing for vascular applications within the European Community. In
addition, the Company manufactures and distributes, through its Ideas For
Medicine, Inc. ("IFM") subsidiary, single-use medical devices for use in
vascular surgical procedures. The Company has generated compound annual growth
rates in revenues and earnings per share, including contributions from
acquisitions, of 24% and 68%, respectively, since 1993.
 
CryoLife processes and distributes for transplantation cryopreserved human
heart valves and conduits, human vascular tissue and human connective tissue
for the knee. Revenues from these services, which were $44.2 million, or 87%
of total revenues, in 1997, have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 24%
since 1993. Management believes that cryopreserved human heart valves and
conduits offer certain advantages over mechanical, synthetic and animal-
derived alternatives. Depending on the alternative, these advantages include
more natural functionality, elimination of a chronic need for anti-coagulation
drug therapy, reduced incidence of reoperation and reduced risk of
catastrophic failure, thromboembolism (stroke) or calcification. The Company
estimates that the potential U.S. market for implantable products targeting
indications addressed by the Company's cryopreserved tissues was approximately
$950 million in 1997. Since 1993, cryopreserved human tissues have captured an
increasing share of this market as the total U.S. replacement heart valve
market and CryoLife's revenues from cryopreserved human heart valves and
conduits grew at compound annual growth rates of approximately 7% and 21%,
respectively. The Company seeks to expand the availability of human tissue
through its established relationships with over 250 tissue banks and organ
procurement agencies nationwide.
 
CryoLife develops and markets outside of the U.S. bioprosthetic cardiovascular
devices for transplantation, currently consisting of fixed stentless porcine
heart valves. Fixed porcine heart valves are often preferred by surgeons for
procedures involving elderly patients because they eliminate the risk of
patient non-compliance with long-term anti-coagulation drug therapy associated
with mechanical valves, are less expensive than human heart valves and their
shorter longevity is more appropriately matched with these patients' life
expectancies. Fixed porcine heart valves address a worldwide target market
estimated to have been $175 million in 1997. Unlike most other available
porcine tissue and bovine pericardium heart valves, the Company's stentless
porcine heart valves do not contain synthetic materials which increase the
risk of endocarditis, a debilitating and potentially fatal bacterial
infection. The Company's CryoLife-O'Brien aortic heart valve, currently
marketed in the European Community and certain other territories outside the
U.S., is a stentless porcine heart valve which contains a matched composite
leaflet design that approximates human heart valve blood flow characteristics
and requires only a single suture line which simplifies surgical implantation.
The Company intends to submit a CE Mark application for the CryoLife-Ross
pulmonary heart valve, another of the Company's fixed stentless porcine
valves, for marketing in the European Community. The Company plans to apply
its proprietary SynerGraft technology to its stentless porcine heart valves.
SynerGraft involves the depopulation of living cells from the structure of
non-viable animal heart tissue and the repopulation of such tissue with human
cells. This process is designed to reduce calcification of porcine heart
valves, thereby increasing longevity, and more generally to
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
improve the biocompatibility and functionality of such tissue. The Company
believes that its porcine heart valves, when treated with SynerGraft
technology, will expand its opportunity to address the broader international
and U.S. heart valve markets, estimated to be $348 million and $395 million,
respectively, in 1997.
 
CryoLife is developing implantable biomaterials for use as surgical adhesives
and sealants. The Company's patent protected BioGlue surgical adhesive,
designed for cardiovascular and peripheral vascular applications, is a polymer
based on a derivative of a blood protein and a cross-linking agent. The
Company's patent protected FibRx surgical sealant, designed for tissue
hemostasis and suture line sealing, is a light activated, biodegradable
surgical sealant under development which is based on a derivative of the human
blood factors fibrinogen and thrombin. Both of these products may be used with
or without sutures or staples, and may offer advantages over sutures and
staples, including more effective sealing and easier application. The Company
estimates that the annual worldwide market for surgical sutures and staples in
1997 was in excess of $2 billion. The Company recently received CE Mark
Certification for its BioGlue surgical adhesive which permits the Company to
begin marketing this product in the European Community for vascular
applications.
 
CryoLife manufactures and distributes, through its IFM subsidiary, single-use
medical devices including endarterectomy surgical instruments, intravascular
shunts, infusion ports, accessories utilized in laparoscopic procedures and a
wide range of single and dual lumen balloon catheters. The Company believes
that many of its existing single-use medical devices have novel proprietary
features that offer clinical advantages over competing products. For example,
the Company's Pruitt-Inahara Shunt was the first endarterectomy shunt
available to surgeons which contains a barrier feature designed to reduce
migration of plaque particles to the brain and trauma to the carotid artery
during surgery. Another example is the Company's dual lumen embolectomy
catheter incorporating a novel water irrigation mechanism which enables
physicians to remove whole blood clots more effectively than with single lumen
embolectomy catheters. The Company is benefiting from, and intends to utilize,
its design and manufacturing expertise to develop single-use medical devices
for use in conjunction with its cryopreserved human tissue and biomaterial
products. Examples of such devices under development include a family of
balloon catheters designed to assist in applying the BioGlue surgical adhesive
and a human heart valve holder designed to provide physicians greater control
in implantation procedures.
 
In the U.S., the Company markets its cryopreservation services for human heart
valves and conduits and human vascular tissue through its in-house technical
service representatives and relies on independent orthopaedic sales
representatives to market its cryopreservation services for human connective
tissue for the knee. Also in the U.S., the Company markets its single-use
medical devices through its in-house technical service representatives.
Internationally, cryopreserved human tissues, bioprosthetic cardiovascular
devices and single-use medical devices are distributed through independent
representatives located in several countries in Europe, South America and
Asia. The Company plans to market and distribute its BioGlue surgical adhesive
internationally through its existing independent representatives and, if
approved for sale in the U.S., through its in-house technical service
representatives.
 
The Company was incorporated in Florida in 1984. The Company's principal
executive offices are located at 1655 Roberts Boulevard, N.W., Kennesaw,
Georgia 30144. Its telephone number is (770) 419-3355 and its fax number is
(770) 590-3754.
 
GROWTH STRATEGY
 
The Company's primary objective is to continue its consistent growth in
revenues and profitability. The Company has generated compound annual growth
rates in revenues and net income of approximately 21% and 71%, respectively,
since 1993, excluding revenues and net income from IFM, which the Company
acquired in March 1997. The Company's strategy to generate continued growth is
based on increasing the use of cryopreserved tissues as an alternative to
mechanical and synthetic implantable products, developing new markets for
existing products and technologies and developing new products and
technologies for new and existing markets. The Company also selectively
considers strategic acquisitions of complementary technologies to supplement
its internal growth. The key elements of the Company's business and growth
strategy are to:
 
  .  Continue Leadership in Cryopreservation of Human Heart Valves and
     Conduits. The Company intends to increase the market penetration of its
     cryopreserved human heart valves and conduits by
 
                                      24

<PAGE>
 
     (i) expanding awareness of clinical advantages of cryopreserved human
     tissues through continuing educational efforts directed to physicians,
     prospective heart valve and conduit recipients and tissue procurement
     agencies, (ii) expanding its relationships with the more than 250 tissue
     banks and procurement agencies across the U.S. which direct tissue to
     the Company for cryopreservation and (iii) expanding its physician
     training activities.
 
  .  Expand Distribution of Cryopreserved Human Vascular Tissue and
     Connective Tissue for the Knee. Using the same strategy it has
     successfully employed to expand its distribution of cryopreserved human
     heart valves and conduits, the Company intends to increase its
     cryopreservation revenues from human vascular tissue and connective
     tissue for the knee through continuing educational efforts directed to
     vascular and orthopaedic surgeons about the clinical advantages of
     cryopreserved vascular and orthopaedic tissue, expanding its
     relationships with tissue banks and procurement agencies and expanding
     its programs for training physicians in the use of tissue cryopreserved
     by the Company.
 
  .  Broaden Application of Cryopreservation Services. The Company will
     continue to collect, monitor and evaluate implant data to (i) develop
     expanded uses for the human tissues currently cryopreserved by the
     Company and (ii) identify new human tissues as candidates for
     cryopreservation. The Company has recently begun providing cryopreserved
     human vascular tissue to be used as dialysis access replacement grafts
     for patients undergoing long-term dialysis, and separately, as venous
     valve replacements for patients suffering from diseases of the venous
     system. The Company has ongoing projects for cryopreserving the
     posterior tibialis and anterior tibialis tendons for use in knee
     repairs. The Company is also investigating the use of cryopreserved
     human osteochondral grafts to repair articular defects, and the use of
     cryopreserved human endothelial cells, peripheral nerves and spinal
     disks in various surgical applications.
 
  .  Develop and Commercialize Bioprosthetic Cardiovascular Devices. The
     Company intends to leverage its expertise with stentless human heart
     valves to expand commercialization of its stentless porcine heart valves
     and to use its stentless porcine heart valves as a platform for the
     development and commercialization of the Company's SynerGraft
     technology. The Company is expanding its production capacity for its
     bioprosthetic cardiovascular devices to address the increased demand it
     is currently experiencing. Separately, the Company's patent protected
     SynerGraft technology is being developed to expand the target market for
     the CryoLife-O'Brien aortic heart valve and the CryoLife-Ross pulmonary
     heart valve by minimizing calcification often associated with porcine
     tissues and thereby increasing their longevity.
 
  .  Develop and Commercialize Biomaterials for Surgical Adhesive and Sealant
     Applications. In the second quarter of 1998, the Company plans to ship
     its patent protected BioGlue surgical adhesive for distribution in the
     European Community through its existing independent representatives and
     to file an application to conduct clinical trials for BioGlue surgical
     adhesive in the U.S. The Company also plans to continue development of
     its patent protected FibRx surgical sealant. In addition to the adhesive
     and sealant applications of these biomaterials, the Company intends to
     pursue, either directly or through strategic alliances, certain drug
     delivery applications of BioGlue surgical adhesive and FibRx surgical
     sealant, such as administering antibiotics, attaching chemotherapy drugs
     to tumors, delivering growth agents or delivering bone chips for
     orthopaedic bone repair.
 
  .  Leverage Existing Capability across Product Lines. The Company plans to
     expand sales of its single-use medical devices by leveraging its
     established cryopreservation services marketing and sales staff and by
     introducing new complementary products. The Company intends to apply its
     expertise with stentless human heart valves to expand commercialization
     of its stentless porcine heart valves and to use its stentless porcine
     heart valves as a platform for the development and commercialization of
     the Company's SynerGraft technology. New complementary products under
     development include a stentless human heart valve holder being designed
     to provide greater physician control in implantation procedures and
     modified single and dual lumen balloon catheters for use in delivering
     the Company's implantable bioadhesives.
 
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
SERVICES AND PRODUCTS
 
Cryopreservation of Human Tissue for Transplant/Living Biologic Devices
 
The Company's proprietary and patent protected cryopreservation process
involves the procurement of tissue from deceased human donors, the timely and
controlled delivery of such tissue to the Company, the screening,
disinfection, dissection and cryopreservation of the tissue by the Company,
the storage and shipment of the cryopreserved tissue and the controlled
thawing of the tissue. Thereafter, the tissue is surgically implanted into a
human recipient.
 
The transplant of human tissue that has not been preserved must be
accomplished within extremely short time limits (not to exceed eight hours for
transplants of the human heart). Prior to the advent of human tissue
cryopreservation, these time constraints resulted in the inability to use much
of the tissue donated for transplantation. The application by the Company of
its cryopreservation technologies to donated tissue expands the amount of
human tissue available to physicians for transplantation. Cryopreservation
also expands the treatment options available to physicians and their patients
by offering alternatives to implantable mechanical, synthetic and animal-
derived devices. The tissues presently cryopreserved by the Company include
human heart valves and conduits, vascular tissue and connective tissue for the
knee. The following table sets forth, for the types of tissues cryopreserved
by the Company, the cumulative number of units shipped, the number of units
shipped in 1997 and the total number of target market procedures performed
annually in the United States:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    NUMBER OF TARGET
                           NUMBER OF CRYOLIFE UNITS SHIPPED         MARKET PROCEDURES
                           -------------------------------------    PERFORMED IN THE
                            SINCE INCEPTION       DURING 1997         U.S. IN 1997
                           ------------------    ---------------    -----------------
  <S>                      <C>                   <C>                <C>
  Human Heart Valves and
   Conduits...............               29,500               5,244       95,000
  Human Vascular Tissue...                9,300               2,621       34,000
  Human Connective Tissue
   for the Knee...........                4,800               1,859      270,000
</TABLE>
 
CryoLife maintains and collects extensive clinical data on the use and
effectiveness of implanted human tissues that it has cryopreserved, and shares
this data with implanting physicians. The Company also uses this data to help
direct its continuing efforts to improve its cryopreservation services through
ongoing research and development. Its research staff and technical
representatives assist physicians by providing educational materials, seminars
and clinics on methods for handling and implanting the tissue cryopreserved by
the Company and the clinical advantages, indications and applications for
those tissues. The Company has ongoing efforts to train and educate physicians
on the indications for and uses of its cryopreserved tissues, as well as its
programs whereby surgeons train other surgeons in necessary techniques. The
Company also assists organ procurement agencies through training and
development of protocols and provides necessary materials to improve their
internal tissue processing techniques and to increase efficiency and the yield
of usable tissue.
 
Human Heart Valves and Conduits. The Company's revenues have been primarily
derived from the cryopreservation of human heart valves and conduits for use
in reconstructive heart valve replacement surgery. CryoLife shipped
approximately 29,500 cryopreserved human heart valves and conduits from 1984
to 1997. Based on CryoLife's records of documented implants, management
believes that the Company's success in the allograft heart valve market is due
in part to physicians' recognition of the longevity and natural functionality
of the Company's cryopreserved human tissues as compared to mechanical and
porcine heart valve alternatives in certain applications. The Company
currently applies its cryopreservation services to human aortic, pulmonary
and, more recently, mitral heart valves for implantation by cardiac surgeons.
In addition, the Company provides cryopreserved conduit tissue, which is the
only source of tissue available to surgeons who wish to perform certain
specialized cardiac repair procedures. Each of these human heart valves and
conduits maintains a viable tissue structure which more closely resembles and
performs like the patient's own tissue than non-human tissue alternatives.
 
Based on available market data, the Company estimates that of all heart valve
replacement surgeries performed in the U.S. in 1997, 69%, 30% and 1% involved
the replacement of diseased or damaged aortic valves, mitral
 
                                      26
<PAGE>
 
valves and pulmonary valves, respectively. Due to the success of a procedure
known as the Ross Switch Procedure, 53% of the valves which CryoLife shipped
in 1997 were pulmonary valves. In the Ross Switch Procedure, the surgeon
replaces the patient's damaged aortic valve with the patient's own pulmonary
valve. The patient's pulmonary valve is then replaced with a cryopreserved
pulmonary valve. The advantage of this procedure is the use of the patient's
own valve in the more stressful aortic position. The resulting benefit to
CryoLife and the surgical community is a more even demand and distribution of
the processed human aortic and pulmonary valves.
 
The Company estimates that the total heart valve and conduit replacement
market in the U.S. in 1997 was approximately $395 million. Management believes
that approximately 95,000 heart valve and conduit surgeries were conducted in
the U. S. in 1997. Of the total number of heart valve and conduit surgeries,
approximately 64,000, or 67%, involved mechanical heart valves, and
approximately 31,500, or 33%, involved tissue heart valves or conduits,
including porcine, bovine and cryopreserved human tissues. Of these tissue
heart valve or conduit replacements, management believes that approximately
6,500, or 21%, involved cryopreserved human heart valve or conduit
replacements. Over 5,200 human heart valves and conduits cryopreserved by the
Company were shipped for implantation in 1997. Since 1993, the total U.S.
replacement heart valve market grew at a compound annual growth rate of
approximately 7%, while CryoLife's revenues from cryopreservation of human
heart valves and conduits grew at a compound annual growth rate of
approximately 21%.
 
Management believes cryopreserved human heart valves and conduits have
characteristics that make them the preferred replacement for most patients.
Specifically, human heart valves, such as those cryopreserved by the Company,
allow for more normal blood flow and provide higher cardiac output than
porcine tissue, bovine pericardium and mechanical heart valves. Human heart
valves are not as susceptible to progressive calcification, or hardening, as
are porcine tissue or bovine pericardium heart valves, and do not require
anti-coagulation drug therapy, as do mechanical valves. The synthetic sewing
rings contained in mechanical and stented porcine tissue or bovine pericardium
valves are difficult to treat with antibiotics after they have become
infected, a condition which usually necessitates the surgical removal of these
valves at considerable cost, morbidity and risk of mortality. Consequently,
for many physicians, human heart valves are the preferred alternative to
mechanical and stented porcine tissue or bovine pericardium valves for
patients who have, or are at risk to contract, endocarditis.
 
The following table sets forth the characteristics of alternative heart valve
implants that management believes make cryopreserved human heart valves the
preferred replacement for most patients:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PORCINE
                          CRYOPRESERVED --------------------------------      BOVINE
                              HUMAN      STENTLESS(1)        STENTED      PERICARDIUM(2)    MECHANICAL
                          ------------- ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  -------------
<S>                       <C>           <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Materials:                human tissue  glutaraldehyde-  glutaraldehyde-  glutaraldehyde-  pyrolitic
                                        fixed pig        fixed pig        fixed cow        carbon bi-
                                        tissue           tissue and       tissue and       leaflet and
                                                         synthetic        synthetic        synthetic
                                                         sewing ring      sewing ring      sewing ring
Blood Flow Dynamics:                                     moderate         moderate         high
                          normal        nearly normal    elevation        elevation        elevation
(Required Pressure) (3)   (0-5)         (5-15)           (10-20)          (10-20)          (10-25)
Mode of Failure:          gradual       expected to be   gradual          gradual          catastrophic
                                        gradual
Longevity:                20 years      expected to      7-10 years       10-15 years      20 years
                                        exceed stented
                                        porcine valves
Increased Risk of
 Thromboembolic Events
 (strokes or other                      expected to be
 clotting):               no            rare             occasional       occasional       yes
Anti-Coagulation Drug
 Therapy Required:        none          short-term       short-term       short-term       chronic
Responsiveness to
 Antibiotic Treatment of
 Endocarditis:            high          low              low              low              low
Average Valve Cost in
 U.S.:                    $6,850        $5,500           $4,228           $4,500           $4,100(4)
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Limited long-term clinical data is available since stentless porcine heart
    valves only recently became commercially available.
(2) Management believes that bovine pericardium heart valves are generally
    considered a preferred alternative for elderly patients.
(3) Pressure measured in mm/Hg.
(4) Mechanical valves also require chronic anti-coagulation drug therapy at a
    cost of approximately $450 per year.
 
                                      27
<PAGE>
 
While the clinical benefits of cryopreserved human heart valves discussed
above are relevant to all patients, they are particularly important for (i)
pediatric patients (newborn to 14 years) who are prone to calcification of
porcine tissue, (ii) young or otherwise active patients who face an increased
risk of severe blood loss or even death due to side effects associated with
the anti-coagulation drug therapy required with mechanical valves and (iii)
women in their childbearing years for whom anti-coagulation drug therapy would
interfere with normal pregnancy.
 
Human Vascular Tissues. The Company cryopreserves human saphenous and
superficial femoral veins for use in vascular surgeries that require small
diameter conduits (3mm to 6mm), such as coronary bypass surgery and peripheral
vascular reconstructions. Failure to bypass or revascularize an obstruction in
such cases may result in death or the loss of a limb. The Company believes it
offers the only available small diameter conduit product for below-the-knee
vascular reconstruction and shipped approximately 9,300 human vascular tissues
from 1986 to 1997.
 
A surgeon's first choice for replacing diseased or damaged vascular tissue is
generally the patient's own tissue. However, in cases of advanced vascular
disease, the patient's own tissue is often unusable and the surgeon may
consider using synthetic grafts or transplanted human vascular tissue.
Synthetic small diameter vascular grafts are not available for below-the-knee
surgeries and, in other procedures, have a tendency to shut down due to
occlusion because the synthetic materials in these products attract cellular
material from the blood stream which in turn closes off the vessel to normal
blood flow. Cryopreserved vascular tissues tend not to occlude as quickly
because of the presence of an endothelial cell lining in the donor vein which
remains intact following the cryopreservation process. The Company's
cryopreserved human vascular tissues are used for coronary artery bypass
surgeries, peripheral vascular reconstruction, dialysis access graft
replacement and venous valve transplantation.
 
In 1986, the Company began a program to cryopreserve saphenous veins for use
in coronary artery bypass surgeries. Although the Company's cryopreserved
human tissue was used in only a small percentage of the nearly 310,000
coronary artery bypass procedures performed in 1997, the Company believes it
is the only commercially available alternative to the patient's own tissue.
Approximately 950 cryopreserved human saphenous veins for use in coronary
artery bypass surgeries were shipped for this application in 1997,
representing approximately 36% of all the human vascular tissue shipped by the
Company during such period. The Company estimates that, in 1997, approximately
20,000 coronary artery bypass surgeries were performed in which human vascular
tissues cryopreserved by the Company could have been used.
 
In 1989, the Company began a program to cryopreserve long segment saphenous
veins for use in peripheral vascular reconstruction. In cases of peripheral
arteriosclerosis, a cryopreserved saphenous vein can be implanted as a bypass
graft for the diseased artery in order to improve blood flow and maintain a
functional limb. Analysis of clinical data has shown that 80% of patients
receiving CryoLife's preserved vascular tissues in this type of surgical
procedure still have the use of the affected leg three years after surgery.
The alternative for many of these patients was amputation. Approximately 1,570
cryopreserved human saphenous veins were shipped for this application in 1997.
The Company estimates that, in 1997, approximately 22,000 peripheral vascular
reconstruction surgeries were performed in which its cryopreserved human
vascular tissues could have been used.
 
In 1996, the Company began a program for the cryopreservation of human
superficial femoral veins for use in dialysis access graft replacement as an
alternative for synthetic grafts which have a higher risk of infection than
human tissue. The Company shipped less than 100 cryopreserved human
superficial femoral veins for this application in 1997. The Company estimates
that, in 1997, approximately 30,000 dialysis access graft replacements were
performed in which its cryopreserved human vascular tissues could have been
used.
 
In 1997, the Company began a program for the cryopreservation of human
superficial femoral veins for venous valve transplant. The cryopreservation of
these human tissues is designed for patients suffering from chronic venous
insufficiency, a condition in which the blood flow returning to the heart from
the legs is compromised due to absent, improperly functioning or destroyed
venous valves. Prior to the introduction of CryoLife's cryopreserved venous
valves, treatment for patients suffering from this ailment generally was
limited to drug
 
                                      28

<PAGE>
 
therapy or compression stockings. The Company shipped less than 100
cryopreserved human superficial femoral veins for this application in 1997.
The Company estimates that, in 1997, approximately 20,000 patients with
chronic venous insufficiency could have benefitted from venous valve
transplant procedures using its cryopreserved human vascular tissues.
 
Human Connective Tissue for the Knee. The Company provides cryopreserved
surgical replacements for the meniscus and the anterior and posterior cruciate
ligaments, which are connective tissues critical to the proper operation of
the human knee. CryoLife has shipped approximately 4,800 human connective
tissues for the knee through 1997.
 
Human menisci cryopreserved by the Company provide orthopaedic surgeons with
an alternative treatment in cases where a patient's meniscus has been
completely removed. When a patient has a damaged meniscus, the current
surgical alternatives are to repair, partially remove or completely remove the
patient's meniscus, with partial removal being the most common procedure.
Meniscal removal increases the risk of premature knee degeneration and
arthritis and typically results in the need for knee replacement surgery at
some point during the patient's life. Management believes that the Company is
the only provider of cryopreserved meniscal tissue and that there are no
synthetic menisci on the market. The Company estimates that in 1997 in the
U.S. approximately 683,000 patients underwent partial or total meniscectomies.
The Company believes up to 30% of these patients could become candidates for
meniscal replacement within five years.
 
Tendons cryopreserved by the Company are used for the reconstruction of
anterior cruciate ligaments in cases where the patient's ligaments are
irreparably damaged. Surgeons have traditionally removed a portion of the
patient's patellar tendon from the patient's undamaged knee for use in
repairing a damaged anterior cruciate ligament. Tendons cryopreserved by the
Company provide an alternative to this procedure. Because surgeries using
cryopreserved tissue do not involve the removal of any of the patient's own
patellar tendon, the patient recovery period is typically shorter. The Company
estimates that in 1997 approximately 175,000 cruciate ligament reconstruction
surgeries were performed.
 
Based on its experience with human heart valves and conduits, management
believes that as the body of clinical data builds regarding the use of
cryopreserved human connective tissues for the knee, the use of such tissues
will increase, although there can be no assurance that this will be the case.
 
Other Allograft Tissues Under Development. The Company currently has ongoing
projects for cryopreserving the posterior and anterior tibialis tendons for
use in the repair of anterior cruciate ligaments. The Company has other
projects for using preserved osteochondral grafts to repair articular defects
and for the use of cryopreserved human endothelial cells, peripheral nerves
and spinal discs, in various surgical applications.
 
Bioprosthetic Cardiovascular Devices
 
The Company is developing bioprosthetic cardiovascular devices based on its
experience with cryopreserved human tissue implants. Like human heart valves,
the Company's porcine heart valves are stentless with the valve opening, or
annulus, retaining a more natural flexibility. Stented porcine and mechanical
heart valves are typically fitted with synthetic sewing rings which are rigid
and can impede normal blood flow. Unlike most other available porcine heart
valves, the Company's stentless porcine heart valves do not contain synthetic
materials which increase the risk of endocarditis, a debilitating and
potentially deadly bacterial infection.
 
Fixed porcine heart valves are often preferred by surgeons for procedures
involving elderly patients because they eliminate the risk of patient non-
compliance with anti-coagulation drug therapy associated with mechanical
valves, are less expensive than allograft valves and their shorter longevity
is more appropriately matched with these patients' life expectancies. Fixed
porcine heart valves address a worldwide target market estimated to have been
$175 million in 1997.
 
The Company's SynerGraft technology involves the removal of living cells from
the structure of non-viable animal tissue and the repopulation of such tissue
with human cells. This process is designed to reduce
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
calcification of porcine heart valves, thereby increasing their longevity, and
more generally to improve the biocompatibility and functionality of such
tissue. The Company believes that its porcine heart valves, when treated with
SynerGraft technology, will expand its opportunity to address the broader
international and U.S. heart valve markets, estimated to be $348 million and
$395 million, respectively, in 1997.
 
The following table sets forth the bioprosthetic cardiovascular devices
currently marketed or under development by the Company, along with the product
features and regulatory or market status for each:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                FEATURES          REGULATORY/MARKET STATUS
                                         ---------------------  ----------------------------
   <C>                                   <C>                    <S>
   FIXED STENTLESS PORCINE VALVES:
   CryoLife-O'Brien                      aortic valve of        currently marketed in Europe
                                         matched composite      with regulatory approval
                                         leaflet design;        under CE Mark
                                         single suture line
   CryoLife-Ross                         pulmonary valve with   submission of application
                                         attached conduit       for CE Mark for European
                                                                marketing approval
                                                                anticipated in mid-1998
   DEPOPULATED STENTLESS PORCINE VALVES:
   CryoLife-O'Brien SG                   aortic valve, as       submission of application
                                         above, with antigen    for CE Mark for European
                                         reduction properties   marketing approval
                                                                anticipated in fourth
                                                                quarter 1998
   CryoLife-Ross SG                      pulmonary valve, as    submission of application
                                         above, with antigen    for CE Mark for European
                                         reduction properties   marketing approval
                                                                anticipated in fourth
                                                                quarter 1998
   REPOPULATED STENTLESS PORCINE VALVES:
   CryoLife-O'Brien SynerGraft           aortic valve, as       pre-clinical
                                         above, repopulated
                                         with human cells
   CryoLife-Ross SynerGraft              pulmonary valve, as    pre-clinical
                                         above, repopulated
                                         with human cells
</TABLE>
 
The CryoLife-O'Brien aortic valve, is a stentless porcine valve with design
features which management believes provide significant advantages over other
stentless porcine heart valves. CryoLife began exclusive worldwide
distribution of this value in 1992 and acquired all rights to the underlying
technology in 1995. The Company's CryoLife-O'Brien aortic heart valve,
currently marketed in the European Community and certain other territories
outside the U.S., contains a matched composite leaflet design that
approximates human heart valve blood flow characteristics and requires only a
single suture line thereby simplifying surgical implantation. Other stentless
porcine valves require a more complicated implant procedure.
 
The CryoLife-Ross pulmonary valve, the patent for which the Company acquired
in October 1996, is an advanced design stentless porcine heart valve within an
attached conduit of porcine tissue, which mimics the structure of a human
heart valve. The Company intends to submit a CE Mark application during 1998
for marketing the Cryolife-Ross pulmonary heart valve, another of the
Company's fixed stentless porcine valves, in the European Community.
 
The Company plans to apply its proprietary SynerGraft technology to its
stentless porcine heart valves. The first of the SynerGraft technology
applications involves developing depopulated stentless porcine heart valves
with antigen reduction properties. This technology removes viable cells from
animal tissues thereby reducing the transplant recipient's auto-immune
response to the remaining depopulated tissues. The immune response typically
deposits calcium which attaches to and hardens implanted porcine heart valve
tissue, a process known as calcification, which reduces the useful life of the
implant. By removing viable animal cells from the tissue while maintaining the
underlying structural strength of the porcine heart valve, this SynerGraft
application is designed to provide a platform for a patient's own cells to
naturally populate the implant. This SynerGraft depopulation technology is
being applied to both the CryoLife-O'Brien aortic heart valve and the
CryoLife-Ross pulmonary heart valve for products under development anticipated
to be known as the CryoLife-O'Brien S.G. and the CryoLife-Ross S.G.
 
                                      30
<PAGE>
 
The second of the SynerGraft technology applications involves developing
stentless porcine heart valves repopulated with viable human cells prior to
implantation. This technology uses porcine tissues that have been depopulated
of viable animal cells as in the CryoLife-O'Brien S.G. and the CryoLife-Ross
S.G. This SynerGraft repopulation technology is being applied to both the
CryoLife-O'Brien aortic heart valve and the CryoLife-Ross pulmonary heart
valve for products anticipated to be known as the CryoLife-O'Brien SynerGraft
and the CryoLife-Ross SynerGraft.
 
Implantable Biomaterials for Use as Surgical Adhesives and Sealants
 
The effective closure of internal wounds following surgical procedures is
critical to the restoration of the function of tissue and to the ultimate
success of the surgical procedure. Failure to effectively seal surgical wounds
can result in leakage of air in lung surgeries, cerebral spinal fluids in
neurosurgeries, blood in cardiovascular surgeries and gastrointestinal
contents in abdominal surgeries. Air and fluid leaks resulting from surgical
procedures can lead to significant post-surgical morbidity resulting in
prolonged hospitalization, higher levels of post-operative pain and a higher
mortality rate.
 
Sutures and staples facilitate healing by joining wound edges and allowing the
body to heal naturally. However, because sutures and staples do not have
inherent sealing capabilities, they cannot consistently eliminate air and
fluid leakage at the wound site. This is particularly the case when sutures
and staples are used to close tissues containing air or fluids under pressure,
such as the lobes of the lung, the dural membrane surrounding the brain and
spinal cord, blood vessels and the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, in
minimally invasive surgical procedures, where the surgeon must operate through
small access devices, it can be difficult and time consuming for the surgeon
to apply sutures and staples. The Company believes that the use of surgical
adhesives and sealants with or without sutures and staples could enhance the
efficacy of these procedures through more effective and rapid wound closure.
 
In order to address the inherent limitations of sutures and staples, the
Company is developing and commercializing its BioGlue surgical adhesive and is
developing its FibRx surgical sealant. The BioGlue surgical adhesive is a
polymeric surgical bioadhesive based on a derivative of a blood protein and a
cross-linking agent. BioGlue surgical adhesive is nonbiodegradable and has a
tensile strength that is four to five times that of FibRx surgical sealant.
Target clinical applications for BioGlue surgical adhesive include
cardiovascular and vascular peripheral repair. FibRx surgical sealant is a
light activated surgical sealant based on a derivative of the human blood
factors fibrinogen and thrombin. The Company believes that FibRx is the only
surgical sealant under development offering ease of use to the surgeon through
either single-syringe or spray applicators.
 
The following table summarizes certain important features, targeted
applications and regulatory and market status of BioGlue surgical adhesive and
FibRx surgical sealant:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               BIOGLUE SURGICAL ADHESIVE        FIBRX SURGICAL SEALANT
                             ------------------------------ ------------------------------
   <S>                       <C>                            <C>
   COMPOSITION:              animal albumin and             thrombin, fibrinogen and a
                             glutaraldehyde                 thrombin inhibitor
   METHOD OF APPLICATION:    double syringe; mixing device  light activated single
                             provided                       syringe; or light activated
                                                            spray applicator
   TARGETED CLINICAL         vascular repair; anastomotic   hemostasis in cardiovascular
    APPLICATIONS:            sealing; aortic dissection     procedures, skin grafts and
                             repair; carotid endarterectomy breast reconstruction;
                             patching; tissue bonding       adhesion for skin grafts and
                                                            breast reconstruction
   PERFORMANCE               high tensile strength; non-    strength of normal human blood
    CHARACTERISTICS:         biodegradable                  clot; biodegradable; flexible,
                                                            easily manipulated
   REGULATORY/MARKET STATUS
     Europe:                 CE Mark received for vascular  regulatory pathway not
                             repair applications; expect to determined; expected to be
                             commence marketing in Europe   evaluated in 1998
                             in second quarter 1998
     United States:          submission of application with submission of IND application
                             the FDA for approval to        with the FDA for approval to
                             conduct clinical trials        conduct U.S. clinical trials
                             anticipated in second quarter  anticipated in third quarter
                             1998                           1998
</TABLE>
 
 
                                      31
<PAGE>
 
The Company estimates that the worldwide market for surgical sutures and
staples in 1997 was in excess of $2 billion. The Company intends to begin
shipping BioGlue surgical adhesive for distribution in the European Community
in the second quarter of 1998. FibRx surgical sealant is progressing through
pre-clinical trials and is presently undergoing toxicology validation
procedures mandated by the FDA prior to the commencement of clinical trials.
 
Single-Use Medical Devices
 
CryoLife manufactures and distributes, through its IFM subsidiary, single-use
medical devices including endarterectomy surgical instruments, intravascular
shunts, infusion ports, accessories utilized in laparoscopic procedures and a
wide range of single and dual lumen balloon catheters. The Company believes
that many of its existing single-use medical devices have novel proprietary
features that offer clinical advantages over competing products. For example,
the Company's Pruitt-Inahara Shunt was the first endarterectomy shunt
available to surgeons which contains a barrier feature designed to reduce
migration of plaque particles to the brain and trauma to the carotid artery
during surgery. Another example is the Company's dual lumen embolectomy
catheter incorporating a novel water irrigation mechanism which enables
physicians to remove whole blood clots more effectively than with single lumen
embolectomy catheters. The Company is benefiting from, and intends to utilize,
its design and manufacturing expertise in developing single-use medical
devices for use in conjunction with its human tissue and biomaterial products.
Examples of such single-use medical devices under development include a family
of balloon catheters designed to assist in applying the BioGlue surgical
adhesive and a human heart valve holder designed to provide physicians greater
control in implantation procedures.
 
The Company plans to expand sales of its single-use medical devices by
leveraging its established cryopreservation services marketing and sales staff
to market existing products and by introducing new products. New complementary
products under development include modified single and dual lumen balloon
catheters to be used to deliver the Company's implantable bioadhesives. The
Company is working to develop single-use medical devices for use with its
BioGlue surgical adhesive. The Company believes that the introduction of
BioGlue surgical adhesive in the European Community for vascular repair will
create additional marketing opportunities for its single-use medical devices.
 
SALES, DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING
 
Cryopreservation Services
 
CryoLife markets its cryopreservation services to tissue procurement agencies,
implanting physicians and prospective tissue recipients. The Company works
with tissue banks and organ procurement agencies to ensure consistent and
continued availability of donated human tissue for transplant and educates
physicians and prospective tissue recipients with respect to the benefits of
cryopreserved human tissues.
 
Procurement of Tissue. Donated human tissue is procured from deceased human
donors by organ procurement agencies and tissue banks. After procurement, the
tissue is packed and shipped, together with certain information about the
tissue and its donor, to the Company in accordance with the Company's
protocols. The tissue is transported to the Company's laboratory facilities
via commercial airlines pursuant to arrangements with qualified courier
services. Timely receipt of procured tissue is important, as tissue that is
not received promptly cannot be cryopreserved successfully. The procurement
agency receives a fee for its services, which is paid by the Company. The
procurement fee and related shipping costs are ultimately reimbursed to the
Company by the hospital with which the implanting physician is associated. The
Company has developed relationships with over 250 tissue banks and organ
procurement agencies throughout the U.S. Management believes the establishment
of these relationships is critical for a growing business in the
cryopreservation services industry and that the breadth of these existing
relationships provides the Company a significant advantage over potential new
entrants to this market. As a result of its maintaining and developing these
relationships, the Company has consistently increased its annual human heart
valve procurement since its inception. The Company employs approximately 14
individuals in the area of tissue procurement, seven of whom are employed as
procurement relations managers and are stationed throughout the country. The
Company's central procurement office is staffed 24 hours per day, 365 days per
year.
 
                                      32
<PAGE>
 
Preservation of Tissue. Upon receiving tissue, a Company technician completes
the documentation control for the tissue prepared by the procurement agency
and gives it a control/inventory number. The documentation identifies, among
other things, donor age and cause of death. A trained technician then removes
the portion or portions of the delivered tissue that will be cryopreserved.
These procedures are conducted under aseptic conditions in clean rooms. At the
same time, additional samples are taken from the donated tissue and subjected
to the Company's comprehensive quality assurance program. This program may
identify characteristics which would disqualify the tissue for
cryopreservation.
 
Human heart valves and conduits, vascular tissue and connective tissue for the
knee are cryopreserved in a proprietary freezing process conducted according
to strict Company protocols. After the cryopreservation process, the specimens
are transferred to liquid nitrogen freezers for long-term storage at
temperatures below -135(degrees)C. The entire cryopreservation process is
rigidly controlled by guidelines established by the Company.
 
Distribution of Tissue to Implanting Physicians. After cryopreservation,
tissue is stored by the Company or is delivered directly to hospitals at the
implanting physician's request. Cryopreserved tissue must be transported under
stringent handling conditions and maintained within specific temperature
tolerances at all times. Cryopreserved tissue is packaged for shipment using
the Company's proprietary processes. At the hospital, the tissue is held in a
liquid nitrogen freezer according to Company protocols pending implantation.
The Company provides a detailed protocol for thawing the cryopreserved tissue.
The Company also makes its technical personnel available by phone or in person
to answer questions. After the Company transports the tissue to the hospital,
the Company invoices the institution for its services, the procurement fee and
transportation costs.
 
The Company encourages hospitals to accept the cryopreserved tissue quickly by
providing Company-owned liquid nitrogen freezers to client hospitals without
charge. The Company has currently installed more than 300 of these freezers.
Participating hospitals pay the cost of liquid nitrogen and regular
maintenance. The availability of on-site freezers makes it easier for a
hospital's physicians to utilize the Company's cryopreservation services by
making the cryopreserved tissue more readily available. Because fees for the
Company's cryopreservation services become due upon the delivery of tissue to
the hospital, the use of such on-site freezers also reduces the Company's
working capital needs.
   
Marketing, Educational and Technical Support. The Company maintains active
relationships with approximately 1,600 cardiovascular, vascular and
orthopaedic surgeons who have active practices implanting cryopreserved human
tissues and markets to a broader group of physicians within these medical
specialties. Because the Company markets its cryopreservation services
directly to physicians, an important aspect of increasing the distribution of
the Company's cryopreservation services is educating physicians on the use of
cryopreserved human tissue and on proper implantation techniques. Trained
field support personnel provide back-up and support to implanting institutions
and surgeons. The Company currently has approximately 110 independent
technical service representatives and sub-representatives (who deal primarily
with orthopaedic surgeons and who are paid on a commission basis) as well as
37 persons employed as technical service representatives (who deal primarily
with cardiovascular and vascular surgeons and receive a base salary with a
performance bonus) all of whom provide field support.     
 
The Company sponsors physician training seminars where physicians teach other
physicians the proper technique for handling and implanting cryopreserved
human tissue. The Company conducted seven of these seminars in 1997.
Physicians pay their own expenses to attend these seminars in addition to
paying the Company a fee for attendance. The Company also produces educational
videotapes for physicians. The Company coordinates live surgery demonstrations
at various medical schools. The Company also coordinates laboratory sessions
that utilize animal tissue to demonstrate the respective surgical techniques.
Members of the Company's Medical Advisory Board often lead the surgery
demonstrations and laboratory sessions. Management believes that these
activities improve the medical community's acceptance of the cryopreserved
human tissue processed by the Company.
 
In order to increase the Company's supply of human tissue for
cryopreservation, the Company educates and trains procurement agency personnel
in procurement, dissection, packaging and shipping techniques. The
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
Company also produces educational videotapes and coordinates laboratory
sessions on procurement techniques for procurement agency personnel. To
supplement its educational activities, the Company employs in-house technical
specialists that provide technical information and assistance and maintains a
staff 24 hours per day, 365 days per year for customer support.
 
Bioprosthetic Cardiovascular Devices
   
The Company markets the CryoLife-O'Brien stentless porcine heart valves in the
European Community. The Company's European sales, distribution and marketing
force consists of 17 independent representatives, representing each of the
Benelux countries, France, Germany, Greece, Scandinavia, Turkey and the United
Kingdom. Each of these representatives is paid on a commission basis.
Marketing efforts are directed almost exclusively toward cardiovascular and
vascular surgeons, and the Company conducts educational seminars and
conferences to train these surgeons and educate them with respect to the uses
and benefits of its porcine stentless heart valves. In 1997, the Company
conducted one workshop and participated in three European conferences. The
Company intends to market its CryoLife-Ross stentless porcine heart valves, if
CE Mark approval is obtained, through this same European sales force.     
 
BioGlue Surgical Adhesive
 
The Company plans to market and distribute its BioGlue surgical adhesive
internationally through its existing independent representatives, and if
approved for sale in the U.S., through its in-house technical service
representatives. The initial shipments of BioGlue surgical adhesive to
CryoLife's European distributors, which are currently distributing the
CryoLife-O'Brien stentless porcine heart valve and single-use medical devices
product lines, are scheduled for the second quarter of 1998. The Company
conducts training sessions for European doctors with respect to the
application and administration of BioGlue surgical adhesive.
 
Single-Use Medical Devices
 
Following its acquisition of IFM in March 1997, the Company terminated the
majority of IFM's sales representatives and began transitioning the sales and
distribution of single-use medical devices to its in-house technical service
representatives. The Company plans to expand sales of its single-use medical
devices by continuing new product development and leveraging its established
cryopreservation services marketing and sales staff to market the products.
The Company conducted two training seminars for these representatives during
1997.
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
The Company uses its expertise in biochemistry and cell biology, and its
understanding of the needs of the cardiovascular, vascular and orthopaedic
surgery medical specialties, to continue to expand its core cryopreservation
business in the U.S. and to develop or acquire implantable products and
technologies for these fields. The Company seeks to identify market areas that
can benefit from preserved living tissues and other related technologies, to
develop innovative techniques and products within these areas, to secure their
commercial protection, to establish their efficacy and then to market these
techniques and products. The Company employs approximately 26 people in its
research and development department. There are seven PhDs with specialties as
diverse as immunology, molecular biology, protein chemistry, organic chemistry
and vascular biology.
 
In order to expand the Company's service and product offerings, the Company is
currently in the process of developing or investigating several technologies
and products, including FibRx surgical sealant, SynerGraft and additional
applications of BioGlue surgical adhesive. The Company is currently
investigating certain drug delivery applications for BioGlue surgical adhesive
and FibRx surgical sealant, such as administering antibiotics, attaching
chemotherapy drugs to tumors, delivering growth agents or delivering bone
chips for orthopaedic bone repair. To the extent the Company identifies
additional applications for these products, the Company may attempt
 
                                      34
<PAGE>
 
to license these products to corporate partners for further development of
such applications. The Company's research and development strategy is to
allocate available resources among the Company's four core market areas of
cryopreservation services, bioprosthetic cardiovascular devices, implantable
biomaterials and single-use medical devices, based on the size of the
potential market for any specific product candidate and the estimated
development time and cost required to bring the product to market.
 
Research on these and other projects is conducted in the Company's research
and development laboratory or at universities or clinics where the Company
sponsors research projects. In 1995, 1996 and 1997, the Company spent
approximately $2.6 million, $2.8 million and $3.9 million, respectively, on
research and development activities on new and existing products. These
amounts represented approximately 9%, 8% and 8% of the Company's revenues for
those respective years. The Company's research and development program is
overseen by its medical and scientific advisory boards. The Company's pre-
clinical studies are conducted at universities and other locations outside the
Company's facilities by third parties under contract with the Company. In
addition to these efforts, the Company may, as situations develop, pursue
other research and development activities.
 
MANUFACTURING AND OPERATIONS
 
The Company's facilities (other than its single-use medical device
manufacturing plant) are located in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, and consist of
three separate locations totaling approximately 130,000 square feet of leased
office, laboratory and warehouse space. Approximately 17,500 square feet are
dedicated to laboratory work areas. The primary facility, which does not
include the bioadhesive laboratory and the bioprosthetic manufacturing
operation, has three main laboratory facilities: human tissue processing,
research and development and microbiology. Each of these areas consists of a
general technician work area and adjoining "clean rooms" for work with human
tissue and for aseptic processing. The clean rooms are supplied with highly
filtered air which provides a near-sterile environment.
 
Human Tissue Processing
 
The human tissue processing laboratory is responsible for the processing and
cryopreservation of human tissue for transplant. This includes all processing
of heart valves and conduits, vascular tissue and connective tissue for the
knee supplied by CryoLife. This laboratory contains approximately 7,700 square
feet with a suite of seven clean rooms. Currently there are 37 technicians
employed in this area, and the laboratory is staffed for two shifts, 365 days
per year. In 1997, the laboratory processed approximately 14,000 human tissues
for distribution and transplant. The current staffing level is estimated to be
at about half of total capacity. Increasing this capacity could be
accomplished by increasing employees and expanding to three shifts.
 
Bioprosthetic Cardiovascular Devices
 
The bioprosthesis laboratory is responsible for the manufacturing of the
CryoLife-O'Brien stentless porcine aortic heart valve. This laboratory is
located in Marietta, Georgia and contains approximately 13,000 square feet,
with about 3,500 square feet of laboratory space and a suite of four clean
rooms for tissue processing. The Company plans renovation to this facility in
1998 which would double the size of the processing area and plans to add the
production of the CryoLife-Ross stentless porcine pulmonary heart valve to its
product line this summer. Currently, this laboratory employs nine technicians
and is scheduled to manufacture approximately 1,500 CryoLife-O'Brien valves in
1998. The planned renovation, with additional staffing, is expected to expand
capacity at this facility to over 6,000 valves.
 
Implantable Biomedical Devices
 
The Company produces limited quantities of FibRx surgical sealant in the
biomedical products laboratory, which is located in Marietta, Georgia and
employs 11 technicians. This laboratory contains approximately 11,000 square
feet, including 4,000 square feet of laboratory space and a suite of eight
clean rooms. The Company is also planning an addition of about 8,000 to 15,000
square feet of laboratory and clean room space to support the
 
                                      35
<PAGE>
 
manufacture of BioGlue surgical adhesive. BioGlue surgical adhesive is
presently manufactured at the Company's headquarters facility, which has an
annual capacity of approximately 30,000 units. The facility expansion is
expected to allow the manufacture of over 300,000 units of BioGlue surgical
adhesive each year, with modest staff additions.
 
Single-Use Medical Devices
   
The manufacturing of single-use medical devices is conducted at the Company's
IFM subsidiary located in St. Petersburg, Florida. IFM was purchased by
CryoLife in 1997 and has recently moved to a renovated 30,000 square foot
facility. The Company has approximately 89 employees at this facility. At
nearly full capacity in 1997, production was about 180,000 units. In the new
facility, a single shift can produce approximately 300,000 units annually with
full capacity expected to be nearly 800,000 units annually.     
 
QUALITY ASSURANCE
 
The Company's operations encompass the provision of cryopreservation services
and the manufacturing of bioprosthetics, bioadhesives and single-use medical
devices. In all of its facilities, the Company is subject to regulatory
standards for good manufacturing practices, including current Quality System
Regulations, which are FDA regulatory requirements for medical device
manufacturers. The FDA periodically inspects Company facilities to ensure
Company compliance with these regulations. The Company also operates according
to ISO 9001 Quality System Requirements, an internationally recognized
voluntary system of quality management for companies that design, develop,
manufacture, distribute and service products. The Company maintains a
Certification of Approval to the ISO 9001, as well as EN46001 and
ANSI/ISO/ASQC/Q9001, the European and U.S. versions of the international
standard, respectively. This approval is issued by Lloyd's Register Quality
Assurance Limited ("LRQA"). LRQA is a Notified Body officially recognized by
the European Community to perform assessments of compliance with ISO 9001 and
its derivative standards. LRQA performs semi-annual on-site inspections of the
Company's quality systems.
 
The Company's quality assurance staff is comprised primarily of experienced
professionals from the medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing
industries. The quality assurance department, in conjunction with the
Company's research and development and select university research staffs,
routinely evaluates the Company's processes and procedures.
 
Cryopreservation Services
 
The Company employs a comprehensive quality assurance program in all of its
tissue processing activities. The Company is subject to Quality System
Regulations, additional FDA regulations and ISO 9001. The Company's quality
assurance program begins with the development and implementation of training
courses for the employees of procurement agencies. To assure uniformity of
procurement practices among the tissue recovery teams, the Company provides
procurement protocols, transport packages and tissue transport liquids to the
donor sites.
 
Upon receipt by the Company, each tissue is assigned a unique control number
that provides traceability of tissue from procurement through the processing
and preservation processes, and ultimately to the tissue recipient. Blood
samples from each tissue donor are subjected to a variety of tests to screen
for infectious diseases. Samples of certain tissues are also sent to
independent laboratories for pathology testing. Following removal of the
tissue to be cryopreserved, a separate disinfection procedure is begun during
which the removed tissue is treated with proprietary antibiotic solutions. A
trained technician then removes samples from the disinfected tissue upon which
serial cultures are performed to identify bacterial or fungal growth.
 
The materials and solutions used by the Company in processing tissue are pre-
screened to determine if they are of desired quality as defined by Company
protocols. Only materials and solutions that meet the Company's requirements
are approved by quality assurance personnel for use in processing. Throughout
tissue processing, detailed records are maintained and reviewed by quality
assurance personnel.
 
                                      36
<PAGE>
 
The Company's tissue processing facilities are annually licensed by the States
of Georgia, New York, Florida and California as facilities that process, store
and distribute human tissue for implantation. The regulatory bodies of these
states perform appropriate inspections of the facilities to ensure compliance
with state law and regulations. In addition, the Company's human heart valve
operations are additionally regulated by the FDA and periodically inspected
for compliance with Quality System Regulations. Other human tissue processed
by the Company is periodically inspected for compliance with the Code of
Federal Regulation ("CFR") Part 1270. CFR 1270 is a FDA regulation which sets
forth the requirements with which the Company must comply in determining the
suitability of human tissue for implantation.
 
Bioprosthetic, Bioadhesive and Single-Use Medical Device Manufacturing
 
The Company employs a comprehensive quality assurance program in all of its
manufacturing activities. The Company is subject to Quality System
Regulations, additional FDA regulations and ISO 9001.
 
All materials and components utilized in the production of the Company's
products are received and thoroughly inspected by trained quality control
personnel, according to written specifications and standard operating
procedures. Only materials and components found to comply with Company
procedures are accepted by quality control and utilized in production.
 
All materials, components and resulting sub-assemblies are traced throughout
the manufacturing process to assure that appropriate corrective actions can be
implemented if necessary. Each process is documented along with all inspection
results, including final finished product inspection and acceptance. Records
are maintained as to the consignee of product to facilitate product removals
or corrections, if necessary. All processes in manufacturing are validated by
quality engineers to assure that they are capable of consistently producing
product meeting specifications. The Company maintains a rigorous quality
assurance program of measuring devices used for manufacturing and inspection
to ensure appropriate accuracy and precision.
 
Each manufacturing facility is subject to periodic inspection by the FDA and
LRQA to independently assure the Company's compliance with its systems and
regulatory requirements.
 
PATENTS, LICENSES AND OTHER PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
 
The Company relies on a combination of patents, trade secrets, trademarks and
confidentiality agreements to protect its proprietary products, processing
technology, rights and know-how. The Company believes that its patents, trade
secrets, trademarks and technology licensing rights provide it with important
competitive advantages. The Company owns or has licensed rights to 14 U.S.
patents and three foreign patents, including patents relating to its
technology for human heart valve and conduit, vascular tissue and connective
tissue for the knee preservation; tissue revitalization prior to freezing;
tissue transport; fibrin adhesive; organ storage solution; and packaging.
Certain of the above patents relate to the Company's BioGlue surgical adhesive
and FibRx surgical sealant. The Company has eight pending U.S. patent
applications and in excess of 20 pending foreign applications that relate to
areas including heart valve and tissue processing technology, adhesive
composition and delivery methods of bioadhesives for anastomosis and other
uses. The Company has exclusive licenses to five patents and has seven U.S.
patents pending with respect to its single-use medical devices. There can be
no assurance that any patents pending will result in issued patents. The
Company also has exclusive licensing rights for technology relating to light-
sensitive enzyme inhibitors. The remaining duration of the Company's issued
patents ranges from 5 to 17 years. The Company has licensed from third parties
certain technologies used in the development of its FibRx surgical sealant and
SynerGraft technology. These licenses call for the payment of both development
milestones and royalties based on product sales, when and if such products are
approved for marketing. The loss of these licenses could adversely affect the
Company's ability to successfully develop its FibRx surgical sealant and
SynerGraft technology.
 
There can be no assurance that the claims allowed in any of the Company's
existing or future patents will provide competitive advantages for the
Company's products, processes and technologies or will not be successfully
 
                                      37
<PAGE>
 
challenged or circumvented by competitors. To the extent that any of the
Company's products are not patent protected, the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Under current law, patent applications in the U.S. are maintained in secrecy
until patents are issued and patent applications in foreign countries are
maintained in secrecy for a period after filing. The right to a patent in the
U.S. is attributable to the first to invent, not the first to file a patent
application. The Company cannot be sure that its products or technologies do
not infringe patents that may be granted in the future pursuant to pending
patent applications or that its products do not infringe any patents or
proprietary rights of third parties. The Company may incur substantial legal
fees in defending against a patent infringement claim or in asserting claims
against third parties. In the event that any relevant claims of third-party
patents are upheld as valid and enforceable, the Company could be prevented
from selling certain of its products or could be required to obtain licenses
from the owners of such patents or be required to redesign its products to
avoid infringement. There can be no assurance that such licenses would be
available or, if available, would be on terms acceptable to the Company or
that the Company would be successful in any attempt to redesign its products
or processes to avoid infringement. The Company's failure to obtain these
licenses or to redesign its products could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
The Company has entered into confidentiality agreements with all of its
employees and several of its consultants and third-party vendors to maintain
the confidentiality of trade secrets and proprietary information. There can be
no assurance that the obligations of employees of the Company and third
parties with whom the Company has entered into confidentiality agreements will
effectively prevent disclosure of the Company's confidential information or
provide meaningful protection for the Company's confidential information if
there is unauthorized use or disclosure, or that the Company's trade secrets
or proprietary information will not be independently developed by the
Company's competitors. Litigation may be necessary to defend against claims of
infringement, to enforce patents and trademarks of the Company, or to protect
trade secrets and could result in substantial cost to, and diversion of effort
by, the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company would prevail in
any such litigation. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not
protect the Company's proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of
the U.S.
 
COMPETITION
 
Cryopreserved Human Tissues and Bioprosthetic Cardiovascular Devices
 
The Company faces competition from non-profit tissue banks that cryopreserve
and distribute human tissue, as well as from companies that market mechanical,
porcine and bovine heart valves for implantation. Many established companies,
some with resources greater than those of the Company, are engaged in
manufacturing, marketing and selling alternatives to cryopreserved human
tissue. Management believes that it competes favorably with other entities
that cryopreserve human tissue on the basis of technology, customer service
and quality assurance. As compared to mechanical, porcine and bovine heart
valves, management believes that the human heart valves cryopreserved by the
Company compete on the factors set forth above, as well as by providing a
tissue that is the preferred replacement alternative with respect to certain
medical conditions, such as pediatric cardiac reconstruction, valve
replacements for women in their child-bearing years and valve replacements for
patients with endocarditis. Although human tissue cryopreserved by the Company
is initially higher priced than are mechanical alternatives, these
alternatives typically require that the patient take anti-coagulation drug
therapy for the lifetime of the implant. As a result of the costs associated
with anti-coagulants, mechanical valves are generally, over the life of the
implant, more expensive than tissue cryopreserved by the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, management believes that, to date, price has
not been a significant competitive factor.
 
Generally, for each procedure that may utilize other human tissue that the
Company cryopreserves, there are alternative treatments. Often, as in the case
of veins and ligaments, these alternatives include the repair, partial removal
or complete removal of the damaged tissue and may utilize other tissues from
the patients themselves or synthetic products. The selection of treatment
choices is made by the attending physician in consultation with the patient.
Any newly developed treatments will also compete with the use of tissue
cryopreserved by the Company.
 
                                      38
<PAGE>
 
Human and Stentless Porcine Heart Valves. Alternatives to human heart valves
cryopreserved by the Company include mechanical valves, porcine valves and
valves constructed from bovine pericardium. St. Jude Medical, Inc. is the
leading supplier of mechanical heart valves, and has a marketing and
distribution arrangement with a tissue bank for supplies of cryopreserved
human heart valves and Baxter International Inc. is the leading supplier of
porcine heart valves. In addition, management believes that at least three
tissue banks offer cryopreservation services for human heart valves in
competition with the Company. The Company presently distributes its stentless
porcine heart valves only outside the U.S. These stentless porcine heart
valves compete with mechanical valves, human heart valves and processed bovine
pericardium. The Company is aware of at least two other companies that offer
stentless porcine heart valves.
 
Human Vascular Tissue. Synthetic alternatives to veins cryopreserved by the
Company are available primarily in medium and large diameters. Currently,
management believes that there are no other providers of cryopreserved human
vascular tissue in competition with the Company. Companies offering either
synthetic or allograft products may enter this market in the future.
 
Human Connective Tissue for the Knee. The Company's competition in the area of
connective tissue for the knee varies according to the tissue involved. When
transplant is indicated, the principal competition for human tissues
cryopreserved by the Company are freeze-dried and fresh frozen human
connective tissues. These alternative allografts are distributed by
distributors of Osteotech, Inc. and various tissue banks, among others.
Ligaments and tendons cryopreserved by the Company constitute the principal
treatment options for injuries which require anterior cruciate ligament
repair. To management's knowledge, there are presently no processed or
synthetic alternatives to menisci cryopreserved by the Company.
 
Implantable Biomedical Devices
 
The Company competes with many domestic and foreign medical device,
pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. In the surgical adhesive and
surgical sealant area, the Company will compete with existing methodologies,
including traditional wound closure products such as sutures and staples,
marketed by companies such as Johnson & Johnson, United States Surgical
Corporation, Sherwood, Davis & Geck and others. Other products currently being
marketed include fibrin glue, sold in Europe, and the Pacific Rim countries by
Immuno AG, a subsidiary of Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Chemo-Sero
Therapeutic Research Institute, Hoechst AG and others, and management believes
other products are under development by Baxter Healthcare Corporation,
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, V.I. Technologies, Inc. and others. Other
competitors in the surgical sealant market include Closure Medical
Corporation, B. Braun GmbH and Focal, Inc. Competitive products may also be
under development by other large medical device, pharmaceutical and
biopharmaceutical companies. Many of the Company's current and potential
competitors have substantially greater financial, technological, research and
development, regulatory and clinical, manufacturing, marketing and sales, and
personnel resources than the Company.
 
These competitors may also have greater experience in developing products,
conducting clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals, and manufacturing
and marketing such products. Certain of these competitors may obtain patent
protection, approval or clearance by the FDA or foreign countries or product
commercialization earlier than the Company, any of which could materially
adversely affect the Company. Furthermore, if the Company commences
significant commercial sales of its products, it will also be competing with
respect to manufacturing efficiency and marketing capabilities, areas in which
it currently has limited experience.
 
Other recently developed technologies or procedures are, or may in the future
be, the basis of competitive products. There can be no assurance that the
Company's current competitors or other parties will not succeed in developing
alternative technologies and products that are more effective, easier to use
or more economical than those which have or are being developed by the Company
or that would render the Company's technology and products obsolete and non-
competitive in these fields. In such event, the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
See "Risk Factors--Rapid Technological Change."
 
 
                                      39
<PAGE>
 
Single-Use Medical Devices
 
The Company competes in this market with many larger companies such as Boston
Scientific's SciMed Life Systems, Guidant Corporation's Advanced
Cardiovascular Systems, C.R. Bard, Inc. and Baxter Healthcare Corporation.
Many of these companies are larger and carry broader product lines than
CryoLife which allows them to bundle products to hospitals. Bundling device
products has become a cost-effective way of marketing several products in a
line and of providing incentives for the customer to use several products in a
product line. At present, CryoLife does not bundle its single-use medical
devices but instead offers novel product enhancements.
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
U.S. Federal Regulation
 
Because human heart valves are, and other Company products may be regulated in
the future as, medical devices, the Company and these products are subject to
the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act ("FDCA") and
implementing regulations. Pursuant to the FDCA, the FDA regulates the
manufacture, distribution, labeling and promotion of medical devices in the
U.S. In addition, various foreign countries in which the Company's products
are or may be distributed impose additional regulatory requirements.
 
The FDCA provides that, unless exempted by regulation, medical devices may not
be distributed in the U.S. unless they have been approved or cleared for
marketing by the FDA. There are two review procedures by which medical devices
can receive such approval or clearance. Some products may qualify for
clearance to be marketed under a Section 510(k) ("510(k)") procedure, in which
the manufacturer provides a premarket notification that it intends to begin
marketing the product, and shows that the product is substantially equivalent
to another legally marketed product (i.e., that it has the same intended use
and that it is as safe and effective as a legally marketed device and does not
raise different questions of safety and effectiveness than does a legally
marketed device). In some cases, the submission must include data from
clinical studies. Marketing may commence when the FDA issues a clearance
letter finding such substantial equivalence.
 
If the product does not qualify for the 510(k) procedure (either because it is
not substantially equivalent to a legally marketed device or because it is a
Class III device required by the FDCA and implementing regulations to have an
approved application for PMA), the FDA must approve a PMA application before
marketing can begin. PMA applications must demonstrate, among other matters,
that the medical device is safe and effective. A PMA application is typically
a complex submission, usually including the results of human clinical studies,
and preparing an application is a detailed and time-consuming process. Once a
PMA application has been submitted, the FDA's review may be lengthy and may
include requests for additional data. By statute and regulation, the FDA may
take 180 days to review a PMA application although such time may be extended.
Furthermore, there can be no assurance that a PMA application will be reviewed
within 180 days or that a PMA application will be approved by the FDA.
 
The FDCA also provides for an IDE which authorizes distribution for clinical
evaluation of devices that lack a PMA or 510(k). Devices subject to an IDE are
subject to various restrictions imposed by the FDA. The number of patients
that may be treated with the device is limited, as are the number of
institutions at which the device may be used. Patients must give informed
consent to be treated with an investigational device. The device must be
labeled that it is for investigational use and may not be advertised, or
otherwise promoted, and the price charged for the device may be limited.
Unexpected adverse experiences must be reported to the FDA.
 
The FDCA requires all medical device manufacturers and distributors to
register with the FDA annually and to provide the FDA with a list of those
medical devices which they distribute commercially. The FDCA also requires
manufacturers of medical devices to comply with labeling requirements and to
manufacture devices in accordance with Quality System Regulations, which
require that companies manufacture their products and maintain their documents
in a prescribed manner with respect to good manufacturing practices, design,
document production, process, labeling and packaging controls, process
validaiton and other quality control activities. The
 
                                      40
<PAGE>
 
FDA's medical device reporting regulation requires that a device manufacturer
provide information to the FDA on death or serious injuries alleged to have
been associated with the use of its products, as well as product malfunctions
that would likely cause or contribute to death or serious injury if the
malfunction were to recur. The FDA's medical device tracking regulation
requires the adoption of a method of device tracking by manufacturers of life-
sustaining or implantable products, the failure of which would be reasonably
likely to have serious adverse health consequences. The manufacturer must
adopt methods to ensure that such devices can be traced from the manufacturing
facility to the ultimate user, the patient. The FDA further requires that
certain medical devices not cleared for marketing in the U.S. follow certain
procedures before they are exported.
 
The FDA inspects medical device manufacturers and distributors and has
authority to seize noncomplying medical devices, to enjoin and/or to impose
civil penalties on manufacturers and distributors marketing non-complying
medical devices, to criminally prosecute violators and to order recalls in
certain instances.
 
Human Heart Valves. The Company's human heart valves became subject to
regulation by the FDA in June 1991, when the FDA published a notice stating
that human heart valves are Class III medical devices under the FDCA. The June
1991 notice provided that distribution of human heart valves for
transplantation would violate the FDCA unless they were the subject of an
approved PMA or IDE on or before August 26, 1991.
 
On October 14, 1994, the FDA announced in the Federal Register that neither an
approved application for PMA nor an IDE is required for processors and
distributors who had marketed heart valve allografts before June 26, 1991.
This action by the FDA has resulted in the allograft heart valves being
classified as Class II Medical Devices and has removed them from clinical
trial status. It also allows the Company to distribute such valves to
cardiovascular surgeons throughout the U.S.
 
Other Tissue. Other than human and porcine heart valves, none of the Company's
other tissue services or products are currently subject to regulation as
medical devices under the FDCA or FDA regulation. Heart valves are one of a
small number of processed human tissues over which the FDA has asserted
medical device jurisdiction. In July 1997, the FDA published a final rule,
which became effective in January 1998, regulating "human tissue." The rule
clarifies and modifies an earlier interim rule and defines human tissue as any
tissue derived from a human body which is (i) intended for administration to
another human for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of
any condition or disease and (ii) recovered, processed, stored or distributed
by methods not intended to change tissue function or characteristics. The FDA
definition excludes, among other things, tissue that currently is regulated as
a human drug, biological product or medical device and excludes kidney, liver,
heart, lung, pancreas or any other vascularized human organ. Human tissue is
regulated by the FDA in a manner the agency has deemed necessary to protect
the public health from the transmission of HIV infection and hepatitis
infection through transplantation of tissue from donors with or at risk for
these diseases. Unlike certain drugs, biologicals and medical devices, human
tissue is not subject to premarket notification or approval by the FDA. It is
likely, moreover, that the FDA will expand its regulation of processed human
tissue in the future. For example, the FDA may determine that the veins and
connective tissue that are currently processed by the Company are medical
devices, or the FDA may determine to regulate human heart valves as "human
tissue" rather than medical devices, but the FDA has not done so at this time.
Complying with FDA regulatory requirements or obtaining required FDA approvals
or clearances may entail significant time delays and expenses or may not be
possible, any of which may have a material adverse effect on the Company. In
addition, the U.S. Congress is expected to consider legislation that would
regulate human tissue for transplant or the FDA could impose a separate
regulatory scheme for human tissue. Such legislation or regulation could have
a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
Porcine Heart Valves. Porcine heart valves are Class III medical devices, and
FDA approval of a PMA is required prior to commercial distribution of such
valves in the U.S. The porcine heart valves currently marketed by the Company
have not been approved by the FDA for commercial distribution in the U.S. but
may be manufactured in the U.S. and exported to foreign countries if the
valves meet the specifications of the foreign purchaser, do not conflict with
the laws of and are approved by the country to which they will be exported and
the FDA determines that their exportation is not contrary to public health and
safety.
 
                                      41
<PAGE>
 
Single-Use Medical Devices. The products offered by the Company through IFM
are regulated as Class I and Class II medical devices by the FDA. These
products require clearance under a 510(k) procedure. All products currently
marketed by IFM have received a 510(k) clearance from the FDA. In addition,
the IFM facilities are subject to periodic review by the FDA, as are the
Company's records on returned products and reported problems.
 
BioGlue Surgical Adhesive. It is anticipated that BioGlue surgical adhesive
will be regulated as a Class III medical device, as a biologic or in some
other capacity by the FDA. The Company is currently preparing to submit an
application with the FDA for approval to conduct clinical trials for BioGlue
surgical adhesive. There can be no assurance that approval of this application
will be obtained.
 
Possible Other FDA Regulation. Other products and processes under development
by the Company are likely to be subject to regulation by the FDA (e.g.,
SynerGraft and FibRx surgical sealant). Some may be classified as medical
devices; others may be classified as drugs or biological products or subject
to a regulatory scheme for human tissue that the FDA may adopt in the future.
Regulation of drugs and biological products is substantially similar to
regulation of medical devices. Obtaining FDA approval to market these products
is likely to be a time consuming and expensive process, and there can be no
assurance that any of these products will ever receive FDA approval, if
required, to be marketed.
 
NOTA Regulation. The Company's activities in processing and transporting human
hearts and certain other organs are also subject to federal regulation under
the NOTA, which makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly acquire, receive
or otherwise transfer any human organ for valuable consideration for use in
human transplantation if the transfer affects interstate commerce. NOTA
excludes from the definition of "valuable consideration" reasonable payments
associated with the removal, transportation, implantation, processing,
preservation, quality control and storage of a human organ. The purpose of
this statutory provision is to allow for compensation for legitimate services.
The Company believes that to the extent its activities are subject to NOTA, it
meets this statutory provision relating to the reasonableness of its charges.
There can be no assurance, however, that restrictive interpretations of NOTA
will not be adopted in the future that would call into question one or more
aspects of the Company's methods of charging for its preservation services.
 
State Licensing Requirements
 
Some states have enacted statutes and regulations governing the processing,
transportation and storage of human organs and tissue. The activities engaged
in by the Company require it to be licensed as a clinical laboratory and
tissue bank under Georgia, New York, California and Florida law. The Company
has such licenses, and the Company believes it is in compliance with
applicable state laws and regulations relating to clinical laboratories and
tissue banks which store, process and distribute human tissue designed to be
used for medical purposes in human beings. There can be no assurance, however,
that more restrictive state laws or regulations will not be adopted in the
future that could adversely affect the Company's operations. Certain employees
of the Company have obtained other required licenses.
 
Foreign Approval Requirements
 
Sales of medical devices and biological products outside the U.S. are subject
to foreign regulatory requirements that vary widely from country to country.
Approval of a product by comparable regulatory authorities of foreign
countries must be obtained prior to commercialization of the product in those
countries. The time required to obtain foreign approvals may be longer or
shorter than that required for FDA approval. The European Community recognizes
a single approval, called a CE Mark, which allows for distribution of an
approved product throughout the European Community (15 countries) without
additional applications to each country. The CE Mark is awarded by third
parties called Notified Bodies. These Notified Bodies are approved and subject
to review by the Competent Authorities of their respective countries. A number
of countries outside of the European Community accept the CE Mark in lieu of
clinical data submission as an addendum to that country's application process.
The Company has been issued CE Marks for its CyroLife-O'Brien porcine heart
valves, BioGlue
 
                                      42
<PAGE>
 
surgical adhesive and IFM single-use medical devices by LRQA. The Company's
porcine heart valves may be exported to specified developed nations, including
countries in the European Community, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New
Zealand, South Africa and Switzerland if they comply with the laws of that
country and have valid marketing authorization by the appropriate authority in
that country. Beginning in July 1998, CE Mark Certification will be required
to market porcine heart valves and other bioprosthetics in the European
Community.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
The Company's tissue processing activities generate some biomedical wastes
consisting primarily of human pathological and biological wastes, including
human tissue and body fluids removed during laboratory procedures. The
biomedical wastes generated by the Company are placed in appropriately
constructed and labeled containers and are segregated from other wastes
generated by the Company. The Company contracts with third parties for
transport, treatment and disposal of biomedical waste. Although the Company
believes it is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations promulgated
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Georgia Department of
Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, the failure by the
Company to comply fully with any such regulations could result in an
imposition of penalties, fines or sanctions, which could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business.
 
EMPLOYEES
   
The Company presently has approximately 327 employees. These employees include
nine persons with PhD degrees. None of the Company's employees is represented
by a labor organization or covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and
the Company has never experienced a work stoppage or interruption due to labor
disputes. Management believes its relations with its employees are good.     
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
From time to time, the Company is involved in litigation relating to claims
arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. Management
believes that no currently ongoing litigation, if determined adversely to the
Company, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition or results of operations.
 
                                      43
<PAGE>
 
                                  MANAGEMENT
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
The following sets forth the name, age and position of executive officers and
directors of the Company as of March 30, 1998.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
NAME                      AGE                         POSITION
- ----                      ---                         --------
<S>                       <C> <C>
Steven G. Anderson......   59 President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
Kirby S. Black, PhD.....   44 Vice President, Research and Development
Edwin B. Cordell, Jr.,
 CPA....................   39 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Albert E. Heacox, PhD...   47 Vice President, Laboratory Operations
Gerald B. Seery.........   41 Vice President, Marketing
James C. Vander Wyk,
 PhD....................   53 Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance
Ronald C. Elkins, MD....   61 Director
Benjamin H. Gray........   47 Director
Virginia C. Lacy........   56 Director
Ronald D. McCall, Esq...   61 Director, Secretary and Treasurer
</TABLE>    
 
STEVEN G. ANDERSON, a founder of the Company, has served as the Company's
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman since its inception. Mr.
Anderson has more than 30 years of experience in the implantable medical
device industry. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Anderson was Senior
Executive Vice President and Vice President, Marketing, from 1976 until 1982
of Intermedics, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of pacemakers and other
medical devices. Mr. Anderson received his BA from the University of
Minnesota.
 
KIRBY S. BLACK, PHD, has served as Vice President of Research and Development
since July 1995. Dr. Black is responsible for the continued development of the
Company's current products as well as the evaluation of new technologies. Dr.
Black is listed on three patents and has authored 118 publications. Prior to
joining the Company, Dr. Black was Director, Medical Information and Project
Leader from July 1993 until July 1994 at Advanced Tissue Sciences, LaJolla,
California. Dr. Black has also held a number of positions at the University of
California at Irvine, including Director, Transplantation and Immunology
Laboratories, Department of Surgery. Dr. Black received his BS degree from the
University of California, Los Angeles, and his PhD degree from the University
of California at Irvine.
 
EDWIN B. CORDELL, JR., CPA, has served as Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company since November 1994. From August 1987 to November 1994,
Mr. Cordell served as Controller and Chief Financial Officer of Video Display
Corporation, a cathode ray tube remanufacturing and distribution company. Mr.
Cordell received his BS in Accounting from the University of Tennessee.
 
ALBERT E. HEACOX, PHD, has served as Vice President, Laboratory Operations
since June 1988 and has been with the Company since June of 1985. Dr. Heacox
has been responsible for developing protocols and procedures for both
cardiovascular and connective tissues, implementing upgrades in procedures in
conjunction with the Company's quality assurance programs, and overseeing all
production activities of the Company's laboratories. Prior to joining the
Company, Dr. Heacox worked as a researcher with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture and North Dakota State University, developing methods for the
cryopreservation of cells and animal germ plasm storage. Dr. Heacox received a
BA and an MS in Biology from Adelphi University, received his PhD in Biology
from Washington State University and completed his post-doctorate training in
cell biology at the University of Cologne, West Germany.
 
GERALD B. SEERY has served as Vice President of Marketing since August 1995
and has been with the Company since July 1993. Mr. Seery is responsible for
developing and implementing the Company's sales and marketing plans and
supervising all tissue procurement activities. Prior to joining the Company,
Mr. Seery held senior marketing management positions with Meadox Medicals from
1982 until 1985, Electro Catheter Corporation from 1985 until 1989 and Daig
Corporation from 1992 until 1993, accumulating fifteen years of specialized
 
                                      44
<PAGE>
 
marketing experience in cardiovascular medical devices. Mr. Seery received his
BA in International Economics at The Catholic University of America in
Washington, D.C. in 1978 and completed his MBA at Columbia University in New
York in 1980.
 
JAMES C. VANDER WYK, PHD, has served as Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and
Quality Assurance of the Company since February 1996. Prior to joining the
Company, Dr. Vander Wyk held senior management positions at Schneider (USA),
Inc. from 1993 until 1996, Pharmacia Deltec, Inc. from 1985 until 1993,
Delmed, Inc. from 1980 until 1985 and Pharmaco, Inc. from 1975 to 1979,
gaining 20 years of experience in Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance.
Dr. Vander Wyk received his BS in Pharmacy from the Massachusetts College of
Pharmacy and his PhD in Microbiology from the University of Massachusetts. Dr.
Vander Wyk performed his NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of
Illinois.
 
RONALD C. ELKINS, MD, has served as a Director of the Company since January
1994. Dr. Elkins is Professor and Vice Head of the Department of Surgery and
Chief of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health
Science Center. Dr. Elkins has been a physician at the Health Science Center
since 1971, and has held his present position since 1975.
 
BENJAMIN H. GRAY has served as a Director of the Company since January 1991.
Mr. Gray is Chief Financial Officer of Columbia Corporation, an operator of
long-term care facilities. Prior to joining Columbia Corporation in 1997, Mr.
Gray was a principal of Massey Burch Capital Corp. and Vice President of
Massey Burch Investment Group, Inc., a Nashville-based venture capital firm
specializing in the health care industry. Mr. Gray joined Massey Burch in 1987
and was responsible for evaluating and managing various investments in the
portfolio. Mr. Gray was previously with Chemical Bank of New York from 1973 to
1987.
   
VIRGINIA C. LACY has served as a Director of the Company since August 1997.
Mrs. Lacy is President and a Director of A. I. Industries, Inc. a company she
co-founded with her husband in 1986. A. I. Industries, Inc., located in West
Chicago, Illinois, is a manufacturer and distributor of personal
identification cards used by a variety of industries, both domestically and
internationally. Mrs. Lacy has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Precision Devices Corporation, a distributor of pacemakers and other
implantable medical devices, since its founding in 1974. Mrs. Lacy received
her BA degree from Northwestern University in 1963.     
 
RONALD D. MCCALL, ESQ, has served as a Director of the Company and as the
Secretary and Treasurer of the Company since January 1984. From 1985 to the
present, Mr. McCall has been the proprietor of the law firm of Ronald McCall,
Attorney At Law, based in Tampa, Florida. Mr. McCall was admitted to the
practice of law in Florida in 1961. Mr. McCall received his BA and JD degrees
from the University of Florida.
 
                                      45
<PAGE>
 
                      PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of March 30, 1998, and as adjusted
to reflect the sale by the Selling Shareholders of the shares of Common Stock
offered hereby, by (a) each person who is known by the Company to own
beneficially more than five percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock,
(b) each Director of the Company, (c) each executive officer of the Company,
(d) all executive officers and Directors of the Company as a group and (e)
each Selling Shareholder. Except as otherwise indicated, the Company believes
that the beneficial owners of the Common Stock listed below, based on
information furnished by such owners, have sole investment and voting power
with respect to such shares.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                OWNED                       SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                        PRIOR TO OFFERING (1)     NUMBER OF     AFTER OFFERING (1)
                        -------------------------  SHARES   ------------------------------
BENEFICIAL OWNERS         NUMBER       PERCENT     OFFERED     NUMBER        PERCENT(2)
- -----------------       ------------- ----------- --------- --------------- --------------
<S>                     <C>           <C>         <C>       <C>             <C>
Steven G.
 Anderson(3)(4)........     1,204,703      12.3%    30,000        1,174,703           9.5%
Kirby S. Black,
 PhD(5)................        12,507      *             0           12,507        *
Edwin B. Cordell,
 Jr(6).................        20,300      *         5,000           15,300        *
Albert E. Heacox,
 PhD(7)................        78,000      *         5,000           73,000        *
Gerald G. Seery(8).....        16,200      *         2,000           14,200        *
James C. Vander Wyk,
 PhD(9)................        12,000      *             0           12,000        *
Ronald C. Elkins,
 MD(3)(10).............        60,700      *             0           60,700        *
Benjamin H.
 Gray(3)(11)...........        71,812      *             0           71,812        *
Virginia C.
 Lacy(3)(12)...........       395,086       4.1          0          395,086           3.2
Ronald D. McCall,
 Esq(3)(13)............       130,292       1.3     20,000          110,292        *
All executive officers
 and Directors as a
 group
 (10 people)(14).......     2,001,600      20.0     62,000        1,939,600          15.4
Dr. J. Crayton
 Pruitt(15)............       423,107       4.2     50,000          373,107           2.9
Robert T. McNally,
 PhD(16)...............       180,000       1.9     50,000          130,000           1.1
                                                   -------
  Total shares offered
   by Selling
   Shareholders........                            162,000
                                                   =======
</TABLE>
- --------
*Less than 1%.
(1) Shares of Common Stock which were not outstanding but which could be
    acquired by a person upon exercise of an option within 60 days of March
    30, 1998 are deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the
    percentage of outstanding shares beneficially owned by such person. Such
    shares, however, are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of
    computing the percentage of outstanding shares beneficially owned by any
    other person.
(2) Assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option.
(3) The shareholders' address is 1655 Roberts Boulevard, N.W., Kennesaw, GA
    30144.
(4) Includes 105,133 shares held of record by Ms. Ann B. Anderson, Mr.
    Anderson's spouse. Also includes 56,000 shares subject to options which
    are presently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days after
    the date of this Prospectus.
(5) Includes 270 shares held by minor children and 12,000 shares subject to
    options which are either presently exercisable or will become exercisable
    within 60 days after the date of this Prospectus.
(6) Includes 2,300 shares in a trading account as to which Mr. Cordell has
    signature authority and 6,000 shares subject to options which are either
    presently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days after the
    date of this Prospectus.
 
                                      46
<PAGE>
 
(7) Includes 12,000 shares subject to options which are either presently
    exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days after the date of
    this Prospectus.
(8) Includes 15,000 shares subject to options which are either presently
    exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days after the date of
    this Prospectus.
(9) Includes 12,000 shares subject to options which are presently exercisable
    or will become exercisable within 60 days after the date of this
    Prospectus.
   
(10) Includes 41,670 shares subject to options which are presently exercisable
     or will become exercisable within 60 days after the date of this
     Prospectus.     
   
(11) Includes 65,500 shares subject to options which are presently exercisable
     or will become exercisable within 60 days after the date of this
     Prospectus.     
(12)  Includes 215,500 shares held as beneficiary of a trust, and 110,586
     shares held as beneficiary of an IRA, of Ms. Lacy's deceased spouse.
     Includes 30,000 shares held as administrator of a pension plan. Includes
     15,000 shares subject to options which are presently exercisable or will
     become exercisable within 60 days after the date of this Prospectus.
   
(13) Includes 10,000 shares of Common Stock owned of record by Ms. Marilyn B.
     McCall, Mr. McCall's spouse. Includes 45,500 shares of subject to options
     which are presently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days
     after the date of this Prospectus.     
   
(14) Includes 280,670 shares subject to options which are presently
     exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days after the date of
     this Prospectus. Includes 2,300 shares held by the parents of an
     executive officer for which such executive officer has shared voting
     control. Includes 270 shares held as trustee by an executive officer.
     Includes 215,500 shares held as beneficiary of a trust, and 110,586
     shares held as beneficiary of an IRA, of Ms. Lacy's deceased spouse.
     Includes 30,000 shares held as administrator of a pension plan. Includes
     115,133 shares held of record by the spouses of executive officers and
     Directors.     
(15) Includes 413,907 shares issuable upon conversion of the convertible
     debenture, Dr. Pruitt intends to convert $607,000 of the convertible
     debenture into 50,000 shares of Common Stock to be included in this
     Offering. Dr. Pruitt was the sole stockholder of IFM, which was acquired
     by the Company in March 1997. In connection with the acquisition, the
     Company issued a convertible debenture to Dr. Pruitt. See "Description of
     Capital Stock--Convertible Debenture." Dr. Pruitt serves a consultant to
     the Company pursuant to a consulting agreement.
(16) Includes 25,000 shares held of record by Ms. Gertrude McNally, Dr.
     McNally's spouse. Includes 24,000 shares subject to options which are
     presently exercisable. Mr. McNally retired as an executive officer of the
     Company, and entered into a consulting agreement with the Company,
     effective as of January 2, 1998.
 
                                      47
<PAGE>
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Company is authorized to issue up to 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock,
$.01 par value, and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $.01 par value. As of
March 30, 1998, there were 9,715,530 shares of Common Stock outstanding held
by approximately 416 shareholders of record and no shares of Preferred Stock
outstanding.
 
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, the Company's
Bylaws, as amended, and the Florida Business Corporation Act (the "FBCA").
 
COMMON STOCK
 
Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share of Common Stock
held of record on all matters to be voted upon by the Company's shareholders
generally. Holders of Common Stock are not entitled to cumulative voting
rights. As a result, the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
voting for the election of directors may elect all of the Company's directors
if they choose to do so, and, in such event, the holders of the remaining
shares of Common Stock will not be able to elect any person or persons to the
Board of Directors. See "Principal and Selling Shareholders."
 
Holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive, on a pro rata basis, such
dividends and distributions, if any, as may be declared from time to time by
the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor, subject to any
preferential dividend right of any issued and outstanding shares of Preferred
Stock. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company,
after payment of creditors, holders of Common Stock are entitled to share
ratably in all assets, subject to the payment of any liquidation preference of
any issued and outstanding shares of Preferred Stock. The shares of Common
Stock currently outstanding are, and the shares of Common Stock to be issued
upon the completion of this Offering will be, validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
The Board of Directors of the Company is empowered, without approval of the
Company's shareholders, to cause shares of Preferred Stock (the "Preferred
Stock") to be issued in one or more series and to fix and determine the
relative rights and preferences of the shares of any such series, subject to
the limits of Florida law. Because the Board of Directors has the power to
establish the preferences and rights of each series, it may afford the holders
of any series of Preferred Stock preferences, powers and rights, voting or
otherwise, senior to the rights of holders of Common Stock. The issuance of
Preferred Stock could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in
control of the Company. The Board of Directors has no present plans to issue
any shares of Preferred Stock.
 
CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE
 
In connection with the acquisition of IFM, the Company issued a 7%, Five-Year
Subordinated Convertible Debenture dated March 5, 1997 (the "Debenture") in
the original principal amount of $4,999,999 in favor of J. Clayton Pruitt, the
former sole stockholder of IFM. The Debenture is convertible, at any time
between March 5, 1998 and March 5, 2002, into 413,907 shares of Common Stock
("Conversion Shares"). The conversion feature is subject to customary anti-
dilution provisions for stock splits or dividends. Dr. Pruitt has registration
rights with respect to the Conversion Shares. See "Shares Eligible For Future
Sale--Registration Rights."
 
STOCK OPTIONS
 
As of March 30, 1998, the Company has issued and outstanding options to
purchase an aggregate of 749,000 shares of Common Stock (net of forfeitures,
expirations and cancellations) pursuant to its Stock Option Plans, at exercise
prices between $3.00 and $18.43. Of such options, 298,000 were exercisable as
of March 30, 1998.
 
                                      48
<PAGE>
 
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
 
Certain provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company,
which are summarized below, could have the effect of making it more difficult
to change the composition of the Company's Board of Directors or for any
person or entity to acquire control of the Company.
 
Special Meetings
 
Pursuant to the Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, special
meetings of the shareholders may be called only by the President or Secretary
at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors then in
office or at the request in writing of shareholders owning not less than 50%
of all votes entitled to be cast at the special meeting.
 
Prohibition of Shareholder Action without Meeting
 
Under the Company's Articles of Incorporation, the shareholders may not take
action by written consent. Any and all action by the shareholders is required
to be taken at the annual shareholders' meeting or at a special shareholders'
meeting. See "Risk Factors--Anti-Takeover Provisions."
 
ANTI-TAKEOVER STATUTES
 
The Company is subject to several anti-takeover provisions of the FBCA that
apply to a public corporation organized under Florida law unless the
corporation has elected to opt out of such provision in its Articles of
Incorporation or (depending on the provision in question) its Bylaws. The
Company has not elected to opt out of these provisions. The Common Stock of
the Company is subject to the "affiliated transaction" and "control-share
acquisition" provisions of the FBCA, which are Sections 607.0901 and 607.0902,
respectively. These provisions provide that, subject to certain exceptions, an
"affiliated transaction" must be approved by the holders of two-thirds of the
voting shares other than those beneficially owned by an "interested
shareholder" and that "control shares" acquired in specified shareholders,
excluding holders of shares defined as "interested shares." These provisions
of the FBCA may have the effect of making it more difficult for any person or
group to acquire the Company or substantial amounts of the Company's Common
Stock. See "Risk Factors--Anti-Takeover Provisions."
 
ABILITY TO CONSIDER OTHER CONSTITUENCIES
 
The Directors of the Company are subject to the "general standards for
Directors" provisions set forth in Section 607.0830 of the FBCA. These
provisions provide that, among other things, in discharging his or her duties
and determining what is in the best interests of the Company, a Director may
consider such factors as the Director deems relevant, including the long-term
prospects and interests of the Company and its shareholders, and the social,
economic, legal or other effects of any proposed action on the employees,
suppliers or customers of the Company, the communities in which the Company
operates and the economy in general. Consequently, in connection with any
proposed corporate action, the Board of Directors is empowered to consider
interests of other constituencies in addition to the interests of the
Company's shareholders. Shareholders should be aware that Directors who take
into account these other factors may make decisions which are less beneficial
to the shareholders than if the law did not permit consideration of such other
factors.
 
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
 
In November 1995, the Board of Directors of the Company established a rights
plan, pursuant to which one preferred share purchase right (a "Right") is
attached to each outstanding share of Common Stock. Each Right entitles the
registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-tenth of a share of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Preferred Stock"), of the Company at a price of $100.00 per one-tenth of a
share of Preferred Stock (the "Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment. The
description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement dated
as of November 27, 1995, as
 
                                      49
<PAGE>
 
amended as of May 30, 1997 (the "Rights Agreement") between the Company and
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent").
 
Until the earlier to occur of (i) 10 days following a public announcement that
a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring Person")
have acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding Common
Stock or (ii) 10 business days (or such later date as may be determined by
action of the Board of Directors prior to such time as any person or group of
affiliated persons becomes an Acquiring Person) following the commencement of,
or announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or exchange offer the
consummation of which would result in the beneficial ownership by a person or
group of 15% or more of the outstanding Common Stock (the earlier of such
dates being called the "Distribution Date"), the Rights will be evidenced by
Common Stock certificates.
 
The Rights Agreement provides that, until the Distribution Date (or earlier
redemption or expiration of the Rights), the Rights will be transferred with
and only with the Common Stock. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier
redemption or expiration of the Rights), new Common Stock certificates issued
after the Record Date upon transfer or new issuance of Common Stock will
contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference. Until the
Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the
surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common Stock, even without such
notation or a copy of a summary of Rights being attached thereto, will also
constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Stock
represented by such certificate. As soon as practicable following the
Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights ("Right
Certificates") will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Stock as of
the close of business on the Distribution Date and such separate Right
Certificates alone will evidence the Rights.
 
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The Rights will
expire on November 27, 2005 (the "Expiration Date"), unless the Expiration
Date is extended or unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the
Company, in each case, as described below.
 
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock or
other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject
to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a
stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the
Preferred Stock, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Preferred Stock of
certain rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Stock at a
price, or securities convertible into Preferred Stock with a conversion price,
less than the then-current market price of the Preferred Stock or (iii) upon
the distribution to holders of the Preferred Stock of evidences of
indebtedness or assets (excluding regular periodic cash dividends paid out of
earnings or retained earnings or dividends payable in Preferred Stock) or of
subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above).
 
The number of outstanding Rights and the number of shares of Preferred Stock
issuable upon exercise of each Right (presently one-tenth of a share) are also
subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split of the Common Stock or a
stock dividend on the Common Stock payable in Common Stock or subdivisions,
consolidations or combinations of the Common Stock occurring, in any such
case, prior to the Distribution Date.
 
Shares of Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not be
redeemable. The Preferred Stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential
quarterly dividend payment of $.01 per share but will be entitled to an
aggregate dividend of 10 times the dividend declared per share of Common
Stock. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the Preferred Stock will be
entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of $10.00 per share but
will be entitled to an aggregate payment of 10 times the payment made per
share of Common Stock. The Preferred Stock will have one vote, voting together
with the Common Stock. Finally, in the event of any merger, consolidation or
other transaction in which Common Stock is exchanged, the Preferred Stock will
be entitled to receive 10 times the amount received per share of Common Stock.
These Rights are protected by customary antidilution provisions.
 
 
                                      50
<PAGE>
 
Because of the nature of the Preferred Stock, dividend, liquidation and voting
rights, the value of the one-tenth interest in the Preferred Stock purchasable
upon exercise of each Right should approximate the value of one share of
Common Stock.
 
In the event that the Company is acquired in a merger or other business
combination transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning
power are sold after a person or group has become an Acquiring Person, proper
provision will be made so that each holder of a Right, other than Rights
beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which will thereafter be void),
will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the
then current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares of common
stock of the acquiring company which at the time of such transaction will have
a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. In the event that
any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an Acquiring
Person, proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right, other
than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which will thereafter
be void), will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise the number
of shares of Common Stock having a market value of two times the exercise
price of the Right.
 
At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and prior to
the acquisition by such person or group of 50% or more of the outstanding
Common Stock, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the Rights
(other than Rights owned by such person or group which will have become void),
in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock, or
one-tenth of a share of Preferred Stock (or of a share of a class or series of
the Company's Preferred Stock having equivalent rights, preferences and
privileges), per Right (subject to adjustment).
 
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be required
until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in such
Purchase Price.
 
No fractional shares of Preferred Stock will be issued (other than fractions
which are integral multiples of one-tenth of a share of Preferred Stock, which
may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depository receipts) and
in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price
of the Preferred Stock on the last trading day prior to the date of exercise.
 
At any time prior to the acquisition by a person or group of affiliated or
associated persons of beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding
Common Stock, the Board of Directors of the Company may redeem the Rights in
whole, but not in part, at a price of $.001 per Right (the "Redemption
Price"). The redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such time on
such basis with such conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole
discretion may establish. Immediately upon any redemption of the Rights, the
right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders
of Rights will be to receive the Redemption Price.
 
The terms of the Rights may be amended by the Board of Directors of the
Company without the consent of the holders of the Rights, including an
amendment to lower certain thresholds described above to not less than the sum
of .001% and the largest percentage of the outstanding Common Shares then
known to the Company to be beneficially owned by any person or group of
affiliated or associated persons, except that from and after such time as any
person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an Acquiring
Person no such amendment may adversely affect the interests of the holders of
the Rights.
 
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights
as a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to
vote or to receive dividends.
 
The description of the Rights contained herein is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Rights Agreement which is incorporated by reference into the
registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
 
 
                                      51
<PAGE>
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Common Stock is American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company. It is located at 40 Wall Street, 46th Floor, New
York, NY 10005, and its telephone number is (718) 921-8200.
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Upon the completion of this Offering, the Company will have 12,355,530 shares
of Common Stock outstanding. Substantially all of these shares will be
transferable without restriction or registration under the Securities Act or
pursuant to the volume and other limitations of Rule 144 promulgated under the
Securities Act as described below.
 
SALE OF RESTRICTED SHARES
 
Holders of approximately 1,785,125 shares ("Restricted Shares") are entitled
to sell their shares in the public securities markets without registration
under the Securities Act to the extent permitted by Rule 144 as promulgated
thereunder. In general, under Rule 144, a person (together with persons whose
shares are aggregated with that person pursuant to Rule 144) who has held
Restricted Shares for at least one year, but less than two years, or who may
be deemed an affiliate may sell within any three-month period a number of
shares that does not exceed the greater of (i) one percent of the then
outstanding shares of Common Stock or (ii) the average weekly trading volume
during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale
is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Pursuant to these
provisions, approximately 1,380,502 shares may be sold subject to the volume
limitations as of the date of this Prospectus. In addition, the one-year
holding period with respect to 107,500 of the currently outstanding shares of
Common Stock will expire within 180 days of the date of this Prospectus.
Rule 144 also permits the sale of Restricted Shares, without the volume
limitation or other restrictions, by a person who (i) is not an affiliate of
the Company, (ii) has not been an affiliate for at least three months and
(iii) has satisfied a two-year holding period. Pursuant to these provisions,
approximately 287,123 of the Restricted Shares may be sold immediately.
 
Approximately 1,962,000 shares are subject to lock-up agreements between the
holders thereof and the Representatives of the Underwriters, pursuant to which
the holders of these shares (the "Lock-up Shares") have agreed not to offer,
sell, contract to sell or grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of
Common Stock until 90 days after the date of this Prospectus (the "Lock-up
Period") without the prior written consent of SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc.,
subject to limited exceptions. See "Underwriting." Following the expiration of
the Lock-up Period, substantially all of the Lock-up Shares will become
available for immediate resale in the public market subject to the volume and
other limitations of Rule 144.
 
OPTIONS
 
At March 30, 1998, options to purchase a total of approximately 749,000 shares
of Common Stock pursuant to the Company's stock option plans were outstanding,
of which 298,000 were exercisable. Of the shares subject to options, 616,000
are subject to lock-up agreements which restricts sales of the underlying
shares during the Lock-up Period. The Company has filed registration
statements with the Commission with respect to substantially all of these
shares.
 
STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
 
In July 1996, the Company adopted the Stock Purchase Plan. The aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased by all participants
under the Stock Purchase Plan may not exceed 600,000, subject to certain
adjustments. The Company has filed a registration statement with the
Commission with respect to the shares subject to the Stock Purchase Plan.
Under the terms of the Stock Purchase Plan, participants may sell shares of
Common Stock without restriction.
 
 
                                      52
<PAGE>
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
The Massey Burch Investment Group, Inc. and certain other investors
(collectively, the "Massey Burch Investors") and the Company are parties to a
securities purchase agreement dated December 17, 1985, pursuant to which the
Company is required to give the Massey Burch Investors notice of any proposed
registration by the Company of shares of its Common Stock pursuant to a
registration statement to be filed under the Securities Act and to permit the
Massey Burch Investors, subject to certain restrictions, to sell shares of
Common Stock pursuant to any such registration statement. The Massey Burch
Investors hold approximately 118,000 shares of Common Stock. All of the
expenses of such registration under the securities purchase agreement, other
than the fees and expenses of counsel for the Massey Burch Investors,
underwriting discounts and selling commissions, will be paid by the Company.
All of the Massey Burch Investors have waived their right to sell shares of
Common Stock pursuant to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
forms a part.
 
In connection with the acquisition of IFM, the Company issued a subordinated
convertible debenture convertible into 413,907 shares of the Company's Common
Stock to Dr. Pruitt. Dr. Pruitt has registration rights with respect to the
Conversion Shares. Dr. Pruitt is selling 50,000 of the Conversion Shares in
this Offering. See "Principal and Selling Shareholders." The Company is
required upon request by the holder of the Debenture to use its best efforts
to file a registration statement to register up to one-third of the Conversion
Shares. The holder of the Conversion Shares may request up to three such
registrations. Generally, the Company is required to bear the expenses of all
such registrations, except that the holder will be required to bear his pro
rata share of the underwriters' discounts and filing fees related to the
inclusion of such Registrable Securities in such registration statement. See
"Description of Capital Stock--Convertible Debentures."
   
In connection with the retirement of Robert McNally, former Senior Vice
President Clinical Research, the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement
dated January 1, 1998 with Dr. McNally. The Consulting Agreement provides that
the Company will use its best efforts to enable Dr. McNally to sell up to
24,000 shares of Common Stock through May 15, 1998 either on the open market
or through participation in an underwritten public offering. Dr. McNally is
selling 50,000 shares in this Offering, and the Company will have fulfilled
these obligations under the Consulting Agreement. See "Principal and Selling
Shareholders."     
 
                                      53
<PAGE>
 
                                 UNDERWRITING
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The names of the Underwriters of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby and
the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which each has severally agreed
to purchase from the Company, subject to the terms and conditions specified in
the Underwriting Agreement, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     UNDERWRITERS                                               NUMBER OF SHARES
     ------------                                               ----------------
     <S>                                                        <C>
     SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc...............................    1,098,000
     Piper Jaffray Inc.........................................      732,000
     Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated........................       30,000
     BancAmerica Robertson Stephens............................       50,000
     Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. .................................       50,000
     J.C. Bradford & Co. ......................................       30,000
     CIBC Oppenheimer Corp. ...................................       50,000
     Dain Rauscher Incorporated................................       30,000
     Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.......       50,000
     A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. ................................       50,000
     Genesis Merchant Group Securities.........................       50,000
     Goldman, Sachs & Co. .....................................       50,000
     Lehman Brothers Inc. .....................................       50,000
     Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated........       50,000
     Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.........................       50,000
     David A. Noyes & Company..................................       20,000
     PaineWebber Incorporated..................................       50,000
     Raymond James & Associates, Inc. .........................       30,000
     Stephens Inc. ............................................       50,000
     Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc. ...............................       20,000
     Suntrust Equitable Securities Corporation.................       30,000
     UBS Securities LLC........................................       50,000
     Vector Securities International, Inc. ....................       30,000
     Wedbush Morgan Securities Inc. ...........................       30,000
     H.G. Wellington & Co. Inc. ...............................       20,000
                                                                   ---------
       Total...................................................    2,750,000
                                                                   =========
</TABLE>
 
The Managing Underwriters are SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc. and Piper Jaffray
Inc.
 
If any shares of Common Stock offered hereby are purchased by the
Underwriters, all such shares will be so purchased. The Underwriting Agreement
contains certain provisions whereby if any Underwriter defaults in its
obligation to purchase such shares and if the aggregate obligations of the
Underwriters so defaulting do not exceed ten percent of the shares offered
hereby, the remaining Underwriters, or some of them, must assume such
obligations.
 
The Underwriters propose to offer the shares of Common Stock to the public
initially at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus, and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not to
exceed $0.59 per share. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may
reallow, a concession not to exceed $0.10 per share on sales to certain other
dealers. The offering of the shares of Common Stock is made for delivery when,
as and if accepted by the Underwriters and subject to prior sale and
withdrawal, cancellation or modification of the offer without notice. The
Underwriters reserve the right to reject any order for the purchase of the
shares. After the shares are released for sale to the public, the public
offering price, the concession and the reallowance may be changed by the
Managing Underwriters.
 
                                      54
<PAGE>
 
   
The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an
additional 412,500 shares of Common Stock at the offering price less the
underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus. Such
option is exercisable during the 30 days beginning on the date of the
Underwriting Agreement. The Underwriters may exercise such option only to
cover over-allotments made of the shares in connection with the Offering. To
the extent the Underwriters exercise this option, each of the Underwriters
will be obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase the number of
additional shares proportionate to such Underwriter's initial commitment.     
 
The Company, each of its Directors and officers and certain of its
shareholders have agreed that they will not sell, contract to sell, grant any
option to sell or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of
the Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common
Stock or warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock, for a period of at
least 90 days after the date of this Prospectus, without the prior written
consent of SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc., except for (i) bona fide gifts to
individuals or entities who deliver an agreement substantially to the effect
set forth in this paragraph, (ii) exercises of in-the-money, currently
outstanding options or warrants to purchase Common Stock or conversions of
debentures convertible into Common Stock, (iii) transfers which occur by
operation of law provided the transferee is bound by the terms of an agreement
substantially to the effect set forth in this paragraph and (iv) the grant of
options and other rights by the Company to purchase up to an aggregate of
161,900 shares of Common Stock to the Company's employees, officers and
Directors pursuant to the Stock Plans.
 
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including any liabilities under the Securities Act, or to
contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required to make in respect
thereof.
 
In connection with this Offering, the Managing Underwriters, on behalf of the
Underwriters, may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise
affect the price of the Common Stock. Specifically, the Managing Underwriters
may over-allot this Offering, creating a syndicate short position. In
addition, the Managing Underwriters may bid for and purchase shares of Common
Stock in the open market to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize
the price of the Common Stock. Finally, the Managing Underwriters may reclaim
selling concessions from syndicate members in this Offering if the syndicate
repurchases previously distributed Common Stock in syndicate covering
transactions, in stabilizing transactions or otherwise. Any of these
activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the Common Stock
above independent market levels. The Managing Underwriters are not required to
engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby is being passed upon for the
Company by Arnall Golden & Gregory, LLP, Atlanta, Georgia. Certain legal
matters in connection with this Offering are being passed upon for the
Underwriters by Palmer & Dodge LLP, Boston, Massachusetts.
 
                                    EXPERTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The consolidated financial statements of CryoLife, Inc. as of December 31,
1997 and 1996, and for the years then ended, and the financial statements of
IFM as of and for the year ended December 31, 1996, have been included herein
and in the Registration Statement in reliance upon the reports of Ernst &
Young LLP, independent auditors, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
The consolidated financial statements of CryoLife, Inc. for the year ended
December 31, 1995 have been included herein and in the Registration Statement
in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent auditors,
appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
 
                                      55
<PAGE>
 
                            ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Company has filed with the Commission, through the Electronic Data
Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System ("EDGAR"), a Registration Statement
on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the Common Stock offered
hereby (the "Registration Statement"). This Prospectus, filed as part of the
Registration Statement, does not contain all of the information included in
the Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto, certain
portions of which have been omitted in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Commission. For further information with respect to the
Company and the Common Stock offered hereby, reference is hereby made to the
Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules filed therewith or
incorporated by reference thereto. Statements contained in this Prospectus as
to the contents of any contract, agreement, or other document are not
necessarily complete and in each such instance, reference is made to the copy
of such contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, including documents incorporated by reference, for a
more complete description of the matters involved and each such statement
shall be deemed qualified in its entirety by such reference. The Registration
Statement, including the exhibits and schedules thereto, may be inspected
without charge and copied at the offices of the Commission at Room 1024,
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the
Commission's regional offices located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New
York, New York 10048 and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such materials may be obtained at the
prescribed rates from the Commission's Public Reference Section at Room 1024,
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Electronic
registration statements filed through EDGAR may also be accessed
electronically through the Commission's home page on the World Wide Web at
http://www.sec.gov.
 
The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange
Act, and in accordance therewith, it files reports, proxy statements, and
other information required thereby to the Commission via EDGAR. Copies of such
material may be inspected and copied at the offices of the Commission and
accessed electronically through the Commission's home page on the World Wide
Web. Reports, proxy statements, other required information statements, and
other information concerning the Company may also be inspected at the New York
Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997,
as amended, and the description of the Company's Common Stock contained in its
registration statement on Form 8-A, File No. 001-13165, including any
amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description, are
hereby incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.     
 
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior
to termination of this Offering shall be deemed to be incorporated in this
Prospectus by reference and to be a part hereof from the respective dates of
the filing of such documents. Any statement contained herein or in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed
to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent
that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which
also is, or is deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein, modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not
be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute part of this
Prospectus.
 
The Company will provide, upon written or oral request, without charge to each
person to whom a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, including any
beneficial owner, a copy of any or all of the documents which have been or may
be incorporated in this Prospectus by reference other than exhibits to such
documents (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference
into such documents). Requests for such copies should be directed to:
Assistant Secretary, CryoLife, Inc., 1655 Roberts Boulevard, N.W., Kennesaw,
Georgia 30144, (770) 419-3355.
 
                                      56
<PAGE>
 
                                   GLOSSARY
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Allograft--A graft of tissue taken from a donor of the same species as the
recipient.
 
Albumin--Protein existing in blood plasma involved in the coagulation process.
 
Anastomosis--Surgical formation of a passage between two normally unconnected
vessels.
 
Anti-Coagulant--Drug treatment to prevent blood from clotting.
 
Antigen Reduction--Reduction of protein or carbohydrate substances capable of
stimulating an immune response.
 
Aortic Valve--The heart valve between the left ventricle and the ascending
aorta.
 
Arteriosclerosis--A chronic disease characterized by abnormal thickening and
hardening of the arterial walls with resulting loss of elasticity.
 
Bioadhesive--Glue or sealant composed of human or animal blood factors.
 
Bioprosthesis--A replacement, made of biological materials, for a limb, organ
or other part of the body.
 
Calcification--Deposits of calcium which attach to body tissues and accelerate
the degeneration such tissues.
   
Carotid Artery--The vessel which delivers oxygenated blood to the brain.     
 
Catheter--A tubular surgical instrument for withdrawal or introduction of
fluids.
 
Coronary Artery--The vessel which delivers oxygenated blood to the heart
muscle.
 
Cruciate Ligament--A ligament that helps to stabilize the knee.
 
Cryopreservation--Preservation of tissue by use of special freezing
techniques.
 
Embolectomy--Surgical removal of a clot which impedes blood flow.
 
Endarterectomy--Surgical removal of the inner layer of an artery.
 
Endocarditis--Inflammation, caused by bacteria, of the lining of heart valves
and surrounding tissue.
 
Endothelial Cells--A single layer of cells that line the internal walls of
veins, arteries and other internal body cavities.
 
Femoral Vein--The vein which accompanies the main artery in the thigh.
   
Fibrinogen--A component of human blood plasma which is essential to the
clotting process.     
 
Fixed Porcine Valve--A porcine valve treated with glutaraldehyde which renders
the animal cells inert while preserving the mechanical structure of the valve
for implantation.
 
Glutaraldehyde--A chemical agent of the aldehyde group used in cross-linking
proteins and fixing porcine valve tissues.
 
Heart Conduits--Portions of the aorta or other vessels which include a heart
valve within their walls.
 
Hemostasis--The stoppage of blood flow.
 
Infusion Port--A device with a catheter which can be implanted under the skin
to administer medicine.
 
Laparoscopy--Minimally invasive surgical technique designed to minimize the
trauma of the operative site.
 
Lumen--The inner open space of a tubular device or organ.
 
Meniscus--A crescent-shaped, fibrous cartilage pad positioned within the knee
between the surface of the femur and tibia.
 
Mitral Valve--The heart valve positioned between the left atrium and left
ventricle.
 
Osteochondral Graft--Surgical implant relating to or composed of bone and
cartilage.
 
Patellar Tendon--A tendon extending from the patella (kneecap) to the tibia
(shin bone).
 
Peripheral Vascular--Relating to the blood vessels, or circulatory system, of
the limbs.
   
Porcine--Of or relating to pigs.     
 
Pulmonary Valve--The heart valve separating the non-oxygenated, or pulmonary,
trunk from the right ventricle.
 
Saphenous Vein--A vein that runs the full length of the leg.
 
Shunt--Surgical device used to facilitate an anastomosis.
 
Stentless Heart Valve--Heart valve that does not contain a sewing ring to
support the valve opening.
 
SynerGraft--Proprietary CryoLife technology for depopulating animal tissue of
its viable cells and repopulating it with viable human cells.
 
Thrombin--An enzyme that facilitates the clotting of blood.
 
Thrombin Inhibitor--An agent that slows or interferes with a chemical reaction
associated with the clotting of blood.
 
Thromboembolism--Catastrophic blockage of blood flow caused when a particle is
trapped in a vein or artery.
 
Tibialis Tendon--Tendon connecting the bones and muscles of the lower leg and
foot.
 
Viable Tissue--Cells capable of living, growing or developing.
 
                                      57
<PAGE>
 
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PAGE
                                                                         NUMBER
                                                                         ------
<S>                                                                      <C>
CryoLife, Inc.
  Report of Independent Auditors........................................   F-2
  Independent Auditors' Report..........................................   F-3
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1996..........   F-4
  Consolidated Income Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 1997,
   1996 and 1995........................................................   F-6
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31,
   1997, 1996
   and 1995.............................................................   F-7
  Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended
   December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.....................................   F-8
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............................   F-9
Ideas for Medicine, Inc.
  Report of Independent Auditors........................................  F-18
  Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1996.................................  F-19
  Statement of Income and Retained Earnings for the Year Ended December
   31, 1996.............................................................  F-20
  Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 1996..........  F-21
  Notes to the Financial Statements.....................................  F-22
Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Income Statement for the Year Ended
 December 31, 1997 (Unaudited)..........................................  F-25
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
Board of Directors and Shareholders
CryoLife, Inc.
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CryoLife, Inc.
as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of
income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits. The consolidated financial statements of
CryoLife, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1995 were audited by other
auditors whose report dated February 14, 1996 expressed an unqualified opinion
on those statements.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the 1997 and 1996 consolidated financial statements referred
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial
position of CryoLife, Inc. at December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the consolidated
results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                       Ernst & Young LLP
 
Atlanta, Georgia
February 9, 1998
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
Board of Directors and Shareholders
CryoLife, Inc.
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows of CryoLife, Inc. and subsidiaries for the
year ended December 31, 1995. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash
flows of CryoLife, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 1995,
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
 
Atlanta, Georgia
February 14, 1996
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                                 CRYOLIFE, INC.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                                        -----------------------
                                                           1997        1996
                                                        ----------- -----------
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
                        ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents............................ $   111,000 $ 1,370,000
  Receivables:
   Trade accounts, less allowance for doubtful accounts
    of $103,000 in 1997 and $94,000 in 1996............   9,224,000   6,572,000
   Income taxes........................................     230,000     404,000
   Other...............................................     311,000   1,518,000
                                                        ----------- -----------
    Total receivables..................................   9,765,000   8,494,000
                                                        ----------- -----------
  Deferred preservation costs, less allowances of
   $152,000 in 1997 and $278,000 in 1996...............  12,257,000   7,178,000
  Inventories..........................................   1,761,000     260,000
  Prepaid expenses.....................................   1,260,000     697,000
  Deferred income taxes................................         --       33,000
                                                        ----------- -----------
    Total current assets...............................  25,154,000  18,032,000
                                                        ----------- -----------
Property and equipment:
  Equipment............................................  10,533,000   8,515,000
  Furniture and fixtures...............................   1,828,000   1,493,000
  Leasehold improvements...............................   8,247,000   7,495,000
  Construction in progress.............................   2,509,000         --
                                                        ----------- -----------
                                                         23,117,000  17,503,000
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization.......   7,630,000   5,788,000
                                                        ----------- -----------
    Net property and equipment.........................  15,487,000  11,715,000
                                                        ----------- -----------
Other assets:
  Goodwill, less accumulated amortization of $468,000
   in 1997 and $27,000 in 1996.........................   9,809,000   1,846,000
  Patents, less accumulated amortization of $531,000 in
   1997 and $352,000 in 1996...........................   2,196,000   2,081,000
  Other, less accumulated amortization of $483,000 in
   1997 and
   $289,000 in 1996....................................   1,103,000   1,299,000
                                                        ----------- -----------
    Total assets....................................... $53,749,000 $34,973,000
                                                        =========== ===========
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                                 CRYOLIFE, INC.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                                      ------------------------
                                                         1997         1996
                                                      -----------  -----------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>
        LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable................................... $ 1,612,000  $ 3,696,000
  Accrued expenses...................................     222,000      720,000
  Accrued compensation...............................   1,122,000      878,000
  Accrued fees to technical service representatives..     312,000      214,000
  Accrued procurement fees...........................   1,565,000    1,210,000
  Current maturities of long-term debt...............   1,496,000      527,000
                                                      -----------  -----------
    Total current liabilities........................   6,329,000    7,245,000
                                                      -----------  -----------
Deferred income taxes................................     327,000          --
Bank loans...........................................  10,777,000    1,250,000
Convertible debenture................................   5,000,000          --
Other long-term debt.................................   1,089,000    1,549,000
                                                      -----------  -----------
    Total liabilities................................  23,522,000   10,044,000
                                                      -----------  -----------
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share;
   authorized 5,000,000 shares including 2,000,000
   shares of series A junior participating preferred
   stock; no shares issued...........................         --           --
  Common stock, $.01 par value per share; authorized
   50,000,000 shares; issued 10,242,961 shares in
   1997 and 10,110,326 shares in 1996................     102,000      101,000
  Additional paid-in capital.........................  17,694,000   17,128,000
  Retained earnings..................................  12,627,000    7,902,000
  Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities....         --        (1,000)
  Treasury stock, 543,000 shares, at cost............    (180,000)    (180,000)
  Notes receivable from shareholders.................     (16,000)     (21,000)
                                                      -----------  -----------
    Total shareholders' equity.......................  30,227,000   24,929,000
                                                      -----------  -----------
      Total liabilities and shareholders' equity..... $53,749,000  $34,973,000
                                                      ===========  ===========
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                                 CRYOLIFE, INC.
 
                         CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       DECEMBER 31,
                                            -----------------------------------
                                               1997        1996        1995
                                            ----------- ----------- -----------
<S>                                         <C>         <C>         <C>
Revenues:
  Cryopreservation and products............ $50,409,000 $36,678,000 $28,257,000
  Research grants, licenses and other
   revenues................................     460,000     361,000     713,000
  Interest income..........................         --      189,000     256,000
                                            ----------- ----------- -----------
                                             50,869,000  37,228,000  29,226,000
                                            ----------- ----------- -----------
Costs and Expenses:
  Cryopreservation and products............  17,764,000  12,593,000  10,485,000
  General, administrative and marketing....  20,548,000  15,673,000  12,807,000
  Research and development.................   3,946,000   2,807,000   2,634,000
  Interest expense.........................     978,000      72,000       4,000
                                            ----------- ----------- -----------
                                             43,236,000  31,145,000  25,930,000
                                            ----------- ----------- -----------
Income before income taxes.................   7,633,000   6,083,000   3,296,000
Income tax expense.........................   2,908,000   2,156,000   1,094,000
                                            ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income................................. $ 4,725,000 $ 3,927,000 $ 2,202,000
                                            =========== =========== ===========
Earnings per share:
  Basic.................................... $      0.49 $      0.41 $      0.23
                                            =========== =========== ===========
  Diluted.................................. $      0.48 $      0.40 $      0.23
                                            =========== =========== ===========
Weighted average shares outstanding:
  Basic....................................   9,642,000   9,505,000   9,379,000
  Diluted..................................   9,942,000   9,906,000   9,568,000
</TABLE>
 
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                                 CRYOLIFE, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       DECEMBER 31,
                                             ----------------------------------
                                                1997        1996        1995
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                          <C>         <C>         <C>
Net cash flows from operating activities:
 Net income................................  $4,725,000  $3,927,000  $2,202,000
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
  cash flows (used in) provided by
  operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization of property
   and equipment...........................   1,842,000     973,000     769,000
  Amortization.............................     814,000     383,000     211,000
  Provision for doubtful accounts..........      46,000     167,000     266,000
  Deferred income taxes....................     360,000     242,000    (107,000)
  Changes in operating assets and
   liabilities:
   Trade and other receivables.............    (530,000) (2,561,000) (1,780,000)
   Income taxes............................     174,000    (614,000)    106,000
   Deferred preservation costs.............  (5,079,000) (1,053,000)    379,000
   Inventories.............................    (864,000)    163,000     432,000
   Prepaid expenses........................    (506,000)   (326,000)   (146,000)
   Accounts payable........................  (2,756,000)  1,197,000      38,000
   Accrued expenses........................    (468,000)    740,000      39,000
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
 Net cash flows (used in) provided by
  operating activities.....................  (2,242,000)  3,238,000   2,409,000
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
Net cash flows from investing activities:
 Capital expenditures......................  (5,059,000) (8,481,000) (1,573,000)
 Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash
  acquired.................................  (4,418,000)   (722,000)        --
 Other assets..............................    (148,000)   (939,000) (1,002,000)
 Net sales (purchases) of marketable
  securities...............................         --    5,942,000  (2,175,000)
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
 Net cash flows used in investing
  activities...............................  (9,625,000) (4,200,000) (4,750,000)
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
Net cash flows from financing activities:
 Principal payments of debt................  (6,607,000)   (750,000)        --
 Proceeds from debt issuance...............  16,643,000   2,000,000         --
 Proceeds from exercise of options and
  issuance of stock........................     567,000     561,000     265,000
 Net payments on notes receivable from
  shareholders.............................       5,000       5,000         --
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
 Net cash flows provided by financing
  activities...............................  10,608,000   1,816,000     265,000
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
(Decrease) increase in cash................  (1,259,000)    854,000  (2,076,000)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
 year......................................   1,370,000     516,000   2,592,000
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year.....  $  111,000  $1,370,000  $  516,000
                                             ==========  ==========  ==========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
 information--cash paid during the year
 for:
  Interest.................................  $  920,000  $   34,000  $    4,000
                                             ==========  ==========  ==========
  Income taxes.............................  $2,380,000  $2,529,000  $1,089,000
                                             ==========  ==========  ==========
Noncash investing and financing activities:
 Purchases of property and equipment in
  accounts payable.........................  $  440,000  $  888,000
                                             ==========  ==========
 Note issued for patent....................              $  826,000
                                                         ==========
 Fair value of assets acquired.............  $1,768,000  $  534,000
 Cost in excess of assets acquired.........   8,541,000   1,873,000
 Liabilities assumed.......................    (891,000)   (435,000)
 Notes issued for assets acquired..........  (5,000,000) (1,250,000)
                                             ----------  ----------
 Net cash paid for acquisition.............  $4,418,000  $  722,000
                                             ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
                                 CRYOLIFE, INC.
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     DECEMBER 31,
                                          -------------------------------------
                                             1997         1996         1995
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>
Common Stock:
 Balance, beginning of year, (9,567,000,
  9,431,000 and 9,326,000 shares
  outstanding, at January 1, 1997, 1996
  and 1995, respectively)...............  $   101,000  $   100,000  $    99,000
 Issuances of common stock:
  Employee stock purchase plan (30,000
   and 2,000 shares in 1997 and 1996,
   respectively)........................          --           --           --
  Purchase of other assets (10,000
   shares in 1996)......................          --           --           --
  Exercise of options (105,000, 124,000,
   and 105,000 shares in 1997, 1996 and
   1995, respectively)..................        1,000        1,000        1,000
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
 Balance, end of year...................      102,000      101,000      100,000
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
Additional Paid-in Capital:
 Balance, beginning of year.............   17,128,000   16,568,000   16,304,000
 Issuances of common stock:
  Employee stock purchase plan..........      268,000       21,000          --
  Purchase of other assets..............          --       130,000          --
  Exercise of options...................      298,000      409,000      264,000
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
 Balance, end of year...................   17,694,000   17,128,000   16,568,000
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
Retained Earnings:
 Balance, beginning of year.............    7,902,000    3,975,000    1,773,000
 Net income.............................    4,725,000    3,927,000    2,202,000
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
 Balance, end of year...................   12,627,000    7,902,000    3,975,000
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Se-
 curities:
 Balance, beginning of year.............       (1,000)      28,000      (38,000)
 Unrealized gain (loss).................        1,000      (29,000)      66,000
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
 Balance, end of year...................          --        (1,000)      28,000
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
Treasury Stock:
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
 Balance, beginning and end of year.....     (180,000)    (180,000)    (180,000)
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
Notes Receivable From Shareholders:
 Balance, beginning of year.............      (21,000)     (26,000)     (26,000)
 Additions to shareholder notes.........      (21,000)         --           --
 Payments on shareholder notes..........       26,000        5,000          --
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
 Balance, end of year...................      (16,000)     (21,000)     (26,000)
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
Total shareholders' equity, end of
 year...................................  $30,227,000  $24,929,000  $20,465,000
                                          ===========  ===========  ===========
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                                CRYOLIFE, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Nature of Business
 
Founded in 1984, CryoLife, Inc. (the "Company") is the leader in the
cryopreservation of viable human tissues for transplant, and is developing and
commercializing additional implantable and single-use non-implantable devices
for use in vascular, cardiovascular and orthopaedic applications. The Company
markets its viable human tissues in North and South America, Europe and Asia.
The Company's bioprosthetic cardiovascular devices include fixed stentless
porcine heart valves recently introduced into the European Community as well
as a proprietary project to transplant human cells onto the structure of
animal tissue. The Company also manufactures and distributes, principally
through its recently acquired Ideas for Medicine, Inc. ("IFM") of Clearwater,
Florida subsidiary, single-use medical devices for use in vascular surgical
procedures. In addition, the Company is developing and commercializing within
the European Community a proprietary surgical adhesive designed for vascular
sealing.
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances are eliminated.
 
Reclassifications
 
Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the 1997
presentation.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles and, as such, include amounts based
on informed estimates and judgments of management with consideration given to
materiality. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Cash Equivalents
 
Cash equivalents consist primarily of highly liquid investments with
insignificant interest rate risk and maturity dates of 90 days or less at the
time of acquisition.
 
Deferred Preservation Costs and Revenue Recognition
 
Tissue is procured from deceased human donors by organ procurement
organizations and tissue banks which consign the tissue to the Company for
processing and preservation. Preservation costs related to tissue held by the
Company are deferred until shipment to the implanting hospital. Deferred
preservation costs consist primarily of laboratory expenses, tissue
procurement fees, and freight-in charges and are stated at average cost,
determined annually, on a first-in, first-out basis. When the tissue is
shipped to the implanting hospital, revenue is recognized and the related
deferred preservation costs are charged to operations. The Company does not
require collateral or other security for its receivables.
 
Inventories
 
Inventories are comprised of single-use medical devices and bioprosthetic
cardiovascular devices and are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-
out) or market.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                                CRYOLIFE, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided over the
estimated useful lives of the assets, generally 5 to 10 years, on a straight-
line basis. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over
the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets, whichever is
shorter.
 
Intangible Assets
 
Goodwill resulting from business acquisitions is amortized on a straight-line
basis over 20 years. Patent costs are amortized over the expected useful lives
of the patents (primarily 17 years) using the straight-line method. Other
intangibles, which consist primarily of manufacturing rights and agreements,
are being amortized over the expected useful lives of the related assets
(primarily five years).
 
The Company periodically evaluates the recoverability of intangible assets and
measures the amount of impairment, if any, by assessing current and future
levels of income and cash flows as well as other factors, such as business
trends and prospects and market and economic conditions.
 
Income Taxes
 
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using
enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in
which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
 
Research Grant and License Revenues
 
Revenues from research grants are recognized in the period the associated
costs are incurred. License revenues are recognized in the period the cash is
received and all licenser obligations have been fulfilled.
 
Earnings Per Share and Stock Split
 
In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings per Share ("Statement 128").
Statement 128 replaced the calculation of primary and fully diluted earnings
per share with basic and diluted earnings per share. Unlike primary earnings
per share, basic earnings per share excludes any dilutive effects of options,
warrants and convertible securities. Diluted earnings per share is very
similar to the previously reported fully diluted earnings per share. All
earnings per share amounts for all periods have been presented, and where
appropriate, restated to conform to the Statement 128 requirements.
 
On May 16, 1996, the Board of Directors declared a two-for-one stock split,
effected in the form of a stock dividend, payable on June 28, 1996 to
shareholders of record on June 7, 1996. All share and per share information in
the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been adjusted to
reflect such split.
 
2. ACQUISITION OF IDEAS FOR MEDICINE
 
On March 5, 1997, the Company acquired the stock of IFM, a medical device
company specializing in the manufacture and distribution of single-use medical
devices, for approximately $9.5 million in cash ($4.5 million) and convertible
debentures ($5.0 million) plus related expenses. The cash portion of the
purchase price was financed by borrowings under the Company's loan agreement
described in Note 4. Additional consideration equal to 10 percent of IFM's net
revenues in excess of $7.5 million shall be payable each year for a 10-year
period,
 
                                     F-10
<PAGE>
 
                                CRYOLIFE, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
limited to $1.75 million in the aggregate. The acquisition has been accounted
for as a purchase; accordingly, the results of operations are included in the
accompanying 1997 consolidated income statement from the date of acquisition.
Based on the allocation of the purchase price, the Company's unaudited
condensed pro forma results of operations for the years ended December 31,
1997 and 1996, assuming consummation of the purchase as of January 1, 1997 and
1996, respectively, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1997        1996
                                                         ----------- -----------
   <S>                                                   <C>         <C>
   Revenues............................................. $52,082,000 $43,574,000
   Net income...........................................   4,756,000   3,511,000
   Earnings per share:
     Basic.............................................. $      0.49 $      0.37
     Diluted............................................        0.48        0.35
</TABLE>
 
In connection with this acquisition, the Company also entered into a
consulting agreement with the former majority shareholder requiring monthly
payments of approximately $17,000 until March 2002.
 
3. INVENTORIES
 
Inventories at December 31 are comprised of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1997      1996
                                                             ---------- --------
   <S>                                                       <C>        <C>
   Raw material............................................. $  262,000 $    --
   Work-in-process..........................................    358,000      --
   Finished goods...........................................  1,141,000  260,000
                                                             ---------- --------
                                                             $1,761,000 $260,000
                                                             ========== ========
</TABLE>
 
4. LONG-TERM DEBT
 
Long-term debt at December 31 consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1997        1996
                                                         ----------- ----------
   <S>                                                   <C>         <C>
   Bank loans:
     Revolving loan..................................... $ 6,777,000 $1,250,000
     Term loan due in equal monthly installments of
      $83,000 plus interest at prime through December
      31, 2002..........................................   5,000,000        --
   7% convertible debenture, due in March 2002..........   5,000,000        --
   8.25% note payable due in equal annual installments
    of $250,000.........................................   1,000,000  1,250,000
   Note payable due in 2000 with an effective interest
    rate of 8%, net of unamortized discount of $35,000
    in 1997 and $84,000 in 1996.........................     585,000    826,000
                                                         ----------- ----------
                                                          18,362,000  3,326,000
   Less current maturities..............................   1,496,000    527,000
                                                         ----------- ----------
   Total long-term debt................................. $16,866,000 $2,799,000
                                                         =========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
On August 30, 1996, the Company executed a loan agreement (the "Agreement")
with a bank which, as amended on December 16, 1997, permits the Company to
borrow up to $10,000,000 under a revolving loan and includes $5,000,000 under
a term loan. Borrowings under the Agreement provide for interest at either the
bank's prime rate (8.5% at December 31, 1997) or at Adjusted LIBOR, as
defined, plus an applicable LIBOR margin. The Agreement expires on December
31, 1999; all borrowings outstanding on that date under the revolving loan
 
                                     F-11
<PAGE>
 
                                CRYOLIFE, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
convert to a term loan to be paid in 60 equal monthly installments of
principal plus interest computed as described above. The Agreement contains
certain restrictive covenants including, but not limited to, maintenance of
certain financial ratios and a minimum tangible net worth requirement. The
Agreement is secured by substantially all of the Company's assets, including
IFM's stock but excluding intellectual property. Commitment fees are paid
based on the unused portion of the revolving loan. At December 31, 1997 an
additional $3,223,000 was available to be borrowed under the revolving loan.
 
In March 1997, the Company issued a $5,000,000 convertible debenture in
connection with the IFM acquisition. The debenture is convertible into common
stock of the Company at any time prior to the due date at $12.08 per common
share.
 
On September 12, 1996, the Company acquired the assets of United
Cryopreservation Foundation, Inc. ("UCFI"), a processor and distributor of
cryopreserved human heart valves and saphenous veins for transplant. The
Company issued a $1,250,000 note in connection with the acquisition. The note
bears interest at prime, as adjusted annually on the anniversary date of the
acquisition.
 
In April 1996 the Company issued a $910,000 non-interest bearing note in
connection with the technology underlying its BioGlue surgical adhesive. The
note is payable in four annual installments of $290,000, plus a final payment
of $40,000 at maturity.
 
Scheduled maturities of long-term debt for the next five years and thereafter
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                               <C>
   1998............................................................. $ 1,496,000
   1999.............................................................   1,516,000
   2000.............................................................   2,678,000
   2001.............................................................   2,605,000
   2002.............................................................   7,355,000
   Thereafter.......................................................   2,712,000
                                                                     -----------
                                                                     $18,362,000
                                                                     ===========
</TABLE>
 
5. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, Disclosures about Fair
Value of Financial Instruments ("Statement 107"), requires the Company to
disclose estimated fair values for its financial instruments. The carrying
amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and accounts payable
approximate their fair values due to the short term maturity of these
instruments.
 
The Company enters into short-term interest rate swap agreements with the
lender under the Agreement which effectively fix the interest rate on
$5,000,000 of borrowings. The estimated fair values of the Company's interest
rate swap agreements (which expired in January 1998) and outstanding debt
approximate their carrying amounts at December 31, 1997.
 
                                     F-12
<PAGE>
 
                                CRYOLIFE, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
6. LEASES
 
The Company leases equipment and office space under various operating leases
with terms of up to 15 years. Certain leases contain escalation clauses and
renewal options for additional periods. Future minimum lease payments under
noncancelable operating leases as of December 31, 1997 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                               <C>
   1998............................................................. $ 1,443,000
   1999.............................................................   1,361,000
   2000.............................................................   1,220,000
   2001.............................................................   1,237,000
   2002.............................................................   1,205,000
   Thereafter.......................................................  10,390,000
                                                                     -----------
                                                                     $16,856,000
                                                                     ===========
</TABLE>
 
Total rental expense for operating leases amounted to $1,282,000, $714,000 and
$740,000 for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
Commencing January 5, 1998, IFM leases office and manufacturing facilities
under a capital lease for $28,500 per month through January 2008 from the
former majority shareholder of IFM.
 
7. STOCK OPTION PLANS
 
The Company has stock option plans which provide for grants of options to
employees and directors to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock at
exercise prices generally equal to the fair values of such stock at the dates
of grant, which generally become exercisable over a five-year vesting period
and expire within ten years of the grant dates. Under the 1993 Employee
Incentive Stock Option Plan and the Non-employee Director's Plan, the Company
has authorized the grant of options of up to 700,000 and 360,000 shares of
Common Stock, respectively. A summary of stock option transactions under the
plans follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    WEIGHTED
                                                      EXERCISE      AVERAGE
                                            SHARES      PRICE    EXERCISE PRICE
                                           --------  ----------- --------------
   <S>                                     <C>       <C>         <C>
   Outstanding at December 31, 1994.......  414,000  $ 2.25-4.13
   Granted................................  321,000    3.63-7.74     $ 4.90
   Exercised.............................. (105,000)   2.25-4.13       2.53
   Canceled...............................  (40,000)   2.25-4.13       3.10
                                           --------
   Outstanding at December 31, 1995.......  590,000    2.25-7.74       4.21
   Granted................................  247,000    8.5-18.43      15.70
   Exercised.............................. (124,000)   2.26-7.26       3.31
   Canceled...............................   (5,000)   2.25-3.75       3.68
                                           --------
   Outstanding at December 31, 1996.......  708,000   2.25-18.43       7.36
   Granted................................  201,000  10.25-15.88      11.97
   Exercised.............................. (105,000)   2.25-7.50       2.85
   Canceled...............................  (50,000)  2.25-16.75      10.06
                                           --------
   Outstanding at December 31, 1997.......  754,000   3.00-18.43       8.95
                                           ========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-13
<PAGE>
 
                                CRYOLIFE, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
The following table summarizes information concerning currently outstanding
and exercisable options:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     OPTIONS OUTSTANDING                   OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       WEIGHTED
                                       AVERAGE    WEIGHTED             WEIGHTED
                                      REMAINING   AVERAGE              AVERAGE
   RANGE OF                NUMBER    CONTRACTUAL  EXERCISE   NUMBER    EXERCISE
   EXERCISE PRICES       OUTSTANDING LIFE (YEARS)  PRICE   EXERCISABLE  PRICE
   ---------------       ----------- ------------ -------- ----------- --------
   <S>                   <C>         <C>          <C>      <C>         <C>
   $ 3.00- 8.50.........   429,000       2.5       $ 4.93    248,000    $ 4.35
    10.25-13.50.........   181,000       5.0        11.88     23,000     10.75
    15.88-18.43.........   144,000       3.3        17.14     37,000     17.21
</TABLE>
 
The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and related Interpretations ("APB
25") in accounting for its employee stock options because, as discussed below,
the alternative fair value accounting provided for under Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation ("Statement 123") requires use of option valuation models that
were not developed for use in valuing employee stock options. Under APB 25,
because the exercise price of the Company's employee stock options equals the
market prices of the underlying stock on the date of the grant, no
compensation expense is recognized.
 
Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required
by Statement 123, which also requires that the information be determined as if
the Company has accounted for its employee stock options granted subsequent to
December 31, 1994 under the fair value method of that Statement. The fair
values for these options were estimated at the dates of grant using a Black-
Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1997  1996  1995
                                                               ----- ----- -----
   <S>                                                         <C>   <C>   <C>
   Expected dividend yield....................................    0%    0%    0%
   Expected stock price volatility............................  .591  .552  .515
   Risk-free interest rate.................................... 6.13% 6.48% 5.91%
   Expected life of options (years)...........................   4.3   4.8   4.0
</TABLE>
 
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating
the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are
fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of
highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility.
Because the Company's employee stock options have characteristics
significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in
the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value
estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily
provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock
options.
 
For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair values of the option
are amortized to expense over the options' vesting periods. The Company's pro
forma information follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1997       1996       1995
                                                ---------- ---------- ----------
   <S>                                          <C>        <C>        <C>
    Net income--as reported...................  $4,725,000 $3,927,000 $2,202,000
    Net income--pro forma.....................   4,308,000  3,632,000  2,123,000
    Earnings per share--as reported:
      Basic...................................  $     0.49 $     0.41 $     0.23
      Dilutive................................        0.48       0.40       0.23
    Earnings per share--pro forma:
      Basic...................................        0.45       0.38       0.23
      Dilutive................................        0.43       0.37       0.22
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-14
<PAGE>
 
                                CRYOLIFE, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
Other information concerning stock options follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         1997    1996    1995
                                                        ------- ------- ------
   <S>                                                  <C>     <C>     <C>
    Weighted average fair value of options granted
     during the year..................................    $6.34   $7.97  $2.36
    Number of shares as to which options are
     exercisable at end of year.......................  308,000 157,000 74,000
</TABLE>
 
Because Statement 123 is applicable only to options granted subsequent to
December 31, 1994, its pro forma effect will not be fully reflected until
1999.
 
8. SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
 
On November 27, 1995, the Board of Directors adopted a shareholder rights plan
to protect long-term share value for the Company's shareholders. Under the
plan, the Board declared a distribution of one Right for each outstanding
share of the Company's Common Stock to shareholders of record on December 11,
1995. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company
one-tenth of a share of a newly created Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock, at an exercise price of $100. The rights, which expire on
November 27, 2005, may be exercised only if certain conditions are met, such
as the acquisition of 15 percent or more of the Company's Common Stock by a
person or affiliated group ("Acquiring Person").
 
In the event the Rights become exercisable, each Right will enable the owner,
other than the Acquiring Person, to purchase, at the Right's then current
exercise price, that number of shares of Common Stock with a market value
equal to twice the exercise price. In addition, unless the Acquiring Person
owns more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Board of
Directors may elect to exchange all outstanding Rights (other than those owned
by such Acquiring Person) at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock,
or one-tenth of a Preferred Share per Right.
 
9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
The Company has a 401(k) savings plan (the "Plan") providing retirement
benefits to all employees who have completed at least six months of service.
The Company makes matching contributions of 50% of each participant's
contribution up to 5% of each participant's salary. Total Company
contributions approximated $139,000, $123,000 and $131,000 for 1997, 1996, and
1995, respectively. Additionally, the Company may make discretionary
contributions to the Plan that are allocated to each participant's account. No
such discretionary contributions were made in 1997, 1996 or 1995.
 
On May 16, 1996, the Company's shareholders approved the CryoLife, Inc.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"). The ESPP allows eligible employees
the right to purchase Common Stock on a quarterly basis at the lower of 85% of
the market price at the beginning or end of each three-month offering period.
As of December 31, 1997 and 1996 there were 568,000 and 598,000 shares of
Common Stock reserved for the ESPP and there had been 32,000 and 2,000 shares
issued under the plan, respectively.
 
                                     F-15
<PAGE>
 
                                 CRYOLIFE, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
10. EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings
per share:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1997       1996       1995
                                               ---------- ---------- ----------
   <S>                                         <C>        <C>        <C>
   Numerator for basic and diluted earnings
    per share--income available to common
    shareholders.............................. $4,725,000 $3,927,000 $2,202,000
                                               ========== ========== ==========
   Denominator for basic earnings per share--
    weighted-average basis....................  9,642,000  9,505,000  9,379,000
   Effect of dilutive stock options...........    300,000    401,000    189,000
                                               ---------- ---------- ----------
   Denominator for diluted earnings per
    share--adjusted weighted-average shares...  9,942,000  9,906,000  9,568,000
                                               ========== ========== ==========
   Basic earnings per share................... $     0.49 $     0.41 $     0.23
                                               ========== ========== ==========
   Diluted earnings per share................. $     0.48 $     0.40 $     0.23
                                               ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
11. INCOME TAXES
 
Income tax expense consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1997       1996       1995
                                               ---------- ---------- ----------
   <S>                                         <C>        <C>        <C>
   Current:
     Federal.................................. $2,145,000 $1,573,000 $1,012,000
     State....................................    403,000    341,000    189,000
                                               ---------- ---------- ----------
                                                2,548,000  1,914,000  1,201,000
   Deferred...................................    360,000    242,000   (107,000)
                                               ---------- ---------- ----------
                                               $2,908,000 $2,156,000 $1,094,000
                                               ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
Such amounts differ from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. Federal
income tax rate of 34% to pretax income as a result of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              1997        1996        1995
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------
   <S>                                     <C>         <C>         <C>
   Tax expense at statutory rate.........  $2,593,000  $2,068,000  $1,121,000
   Increase (reduction) in income taxes
    resulting from:
    Change in valuation allowance for
     deferred tax assets.................     (30,000)   (129,000)    (52,000)
    Entertainment expenses...............      42,000      30,000      33,000
    State income taxes, net of federal
     benefit.............................     266,000     241,000     126,000
    Non-taxable interest income..........         --      (50,000)    (74,000)
    Other................................      37,000      (4,000)    (60,000)
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------
                                           $2,908,000  $2,156,000  $1,094,000
                                           ==========  ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
 
                                CRYOLIFE, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
The tax effects of temporary differences which give rise to deferred tax
liabilities and assets at December 31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1997     1996
                                                             -------- --------
   <S>                                                       <C>      <C>
   Deferred tax liabilities:
     Depreciation........................................... $399,000 $ 99,000
     Other..................................................   80,000   44,000
                                                             -------- --------
                                                              479,000  143,000
   Deferred tax assets:
     Deferred preservation costs and inventory reserves.....   58,000   87,000
     Intangible assets......................................   38,000   62,000
     Other..................................................   56,000   57,000
                                                             -------- --------
                                                              152,000  206,000
     Less valuation allowance...............................      --    30,000
                                                             -------- --------
     Net deferred tax assets................................  152,000  176,000
                                                             -------- --------
   Net deferred tax liabilities (assets).................... $327,000 $(33,000)
                                                             ======== ========
</TABLE>
 
12. FDA REGULATION
 
Human heart valves historically have not been subject to regulation by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA"). However, in June 1991 the FDA
published a notice stating that human heart valves for transplantation are
medical devices subject to Premarket Approval (PMA) or an Investigational
Device Exemption (IDE). In October 1994 the FDA announced in the Federal
Register that neither an approved application for PMA nor an IDE is required
for processors and distributors who had marketed heart valve allografts before
June 1991. This action by the FDA has removed allograft heart valves from
clinical trial status thus allowing the Company to distribute such valves to
cardiovascular surgeons throughout the U.S.
 
13. EXECUTIVE INSURANCE PLAN
 
Pursuant to a supplemental life insurance program for certain executive
officers of the Company, the Company and the executives share in the premium
payments and ownership of insurance policies on the lives of such executives.
The Company's aggregate premium contributions under this program were $38,000,
$37,000 and $31,000 for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
14. EQUIPMENT ON LOAN TO IMPLANTING HOSPITALS
 
The Company consigns liquid nitrogen freezers with certain implanting
hospitals for tissue storage. The freezers are the property of the Company. At
December 31, 1997 freezers with a total cost of approximately $1,339,000 and
related accumulated depreciation of approximately $781,000 were located at the
implanting hospitals' premises. Depreciation is provided over the estimated
useful lives of the freezers on a straight-line basis.
 
15. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
 
The Company expensed $65,000, $39,000 and $67,000 during 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively, relating to services performed by a law firm whose sole
proprietor is a member of the Company's Board of Directors and a shareholder
of the Company.
 
 
                                     F-17
<PAGE>
 
                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Ideas for Medicine, Inc.
 
  We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Ideas for Medicine, Inc.
as of December 31, 1996, and the related statements of income and retained
earnings and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements
are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
 
  We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Ideas for Medicine, Inc.
at December 31, 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for
the year then ended, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                                   /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
Atlanta, Georgia
February 5, 1997
 
                                     F-18
<PAGE>
 
                            IDEAS FOR MEDICINE, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEET
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                  <C>
                               ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash.............................................................. $  180,408
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
   $10,590..........................................................    741,352
  Inventories.......................................................    651,882
  Prepaid expenses..................................................     47,311
                                                                     ----------
Total current assets................................................  1,620,953
Property and equipment, net.........................................    200,065
Other assets, net...................................................      6,586
                                                                     ----------
                                                                     $1,827,604
                                                                     ==========
                LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable.................................................. $  220,240
  Accrued liabilities...............................................     64,020
                                                                     ----------
Total current liabilities...........................................    284,260
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
  Common stock, $.01 par value; 150,000 shares authorized; 105,590
   shares issued and outstanding....................................      1,056
  Additional paid-in capital........................................    642,768
  Retained earnings.................................................    899,520
                                                                     ----------
Total shareholders' equity..........................................  1,543,344
                                                                     ----------
                                                                     $1,827,604
                                                                     ==========
</TABLE>
 
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
 
                            IDEAS FOR MEDICINE, INC.
 
                   STATEMENT OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
 
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                  <C>
Net sales........................................................... $6,344,114
Cost of sales.......................................................  3,331,669
                                                                     ----------
Gross profit........................................................  3,012,445
Selling, general and administrative expenses........................  2,660,051
                                                                     ----------
Operating income....................................................    352,394
Other income, net...................................................      1,805
                                                                     ----------
Net income..........................................................    354,199
Retained earnings at beginning of year..............................  1,095,321
                                                                     ----------
                                                                      1,449,520
Less distributions paid.............................................    550,000
                                                                     ----------
Retained earnings at end of year.................................... $  899,520
                                                                     ==========
</TABLE>
 
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>
 
                            IDEAS FOR MEDICINE, INC.
 
                            STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
Operating activities:
Net income......................................................... $ 354,199
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
 operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization....................................   153,952
  Provision for doubtful accounts..................................    11,272
  Loss on disposal of assets.......................................     5,181
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable............................................    61,023
    Inventories....................................................   (35,856)
    Other assets...................................................    16,046
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.......................    93,029
                                                                    ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities..........................   658,846
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment................................  (107,579)
                                                                    ---------
Net cash used in investing activities..............................  (107,579)
Financing activities:
Payments of note...................................................   (12,398)
Distributions paid.................................................  (550,000)
                                                                    ---------
Net cash used in financing activities..............................  (562,398)
                                                                    ---------
Net decrease in cash...............................................   (11,131)
Cash at beginning of year..........................................   191,539
                                                                    ---------
Cash at end of year................................................ $ 180,408
                                                                    =========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid...................................................... $     157
                                                                    =========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>
 
                           IDEAS FOR MEDICINE, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
1. NATURE OF BUSINESS
 
Ideas for Medicine, Inc. ("IFM") is a closely-held Florida corporation. IFM
designs and manufactures a variety of surgical devices. The devices are
marketed primarily to hospitals in the U.S. and throughout the world through
stocking and non-stocking distributors. IFM's corporate offices and
manufacturing facilities are located in Clearwater, Florida.
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Sales are recorded when the related goods are shipped.
 
Inventories
 
Inventories are stated at the lower of average cost or market.
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed primarily
using accelerated methods over the following useful lives:
 
<TABLE>
     <S>                                                           <C>
     Manufacturing Equipment......................................     5-7 years
     Office furniture and equipment...............................     5-7 years
     Leasehold improvements....................................... Life of lease
</TABLE>
 
Patents
 
Patent costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.
 
Income Taxes
 
IFM operates as an "S" Corporation under the Internal Revenue Code and,
consequently, is not subject to federal income tax. IFM's shareholders include
their proportionate shares of IFM's income in their individual income tax
returns.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
3. INVENTORIES
 
Inventories consist of the following at December 31, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
     <S>                                                                <C>
     Finished Goods.................................................... $317,757
     Work-in-process...................................................   53,663
     Raw Materials.....................................................  280,462
                                                                        --------
                                                                        $651,882
                                                                        ========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-22
<PAGE>
 
                           IDEAS FOR MEDICINE, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
Property and equipment consist of the following at December 31, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
     <S>                                                               <C>
     Manufacturing equipment.......................................... $450,390
     Office furniture and equipment...................................  215,334
     Leasehold improvements...........................................  101,750
                                                                       --------
                                                                        767,474
     Less accumulated depreciation and amortization...................  567,409
                                                                       --------
                                                                       $200,065
                                                                       ========
</TABLE>
 
5. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES
 
Research and development expenses, aggregating $260,000 in 1996 are expensed
as incurred.
 
6. CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
 
Under a revolving line of credit arrangement dated September 27, 1996 with a
bank, IFM may borrow up to $250,000 with borrowings due and payable on demand.
No amounts were borrowed under such line during 1996.
 
7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
During 1996, IFM leased its facilities under a non-cancelable operating lease
which expired December 31, 1996. Rent expense for 1996 totaled $172,000.
Effective January 1, 1997, IFM leases its manufacturing facilities on a month-
to-month basis (see Note 8) and its office facility is leased under a non-
cancelable operating lease expiring on December 31, 1997. Minimum rent
payments under this one-year lease total $20,000.
 
8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
IFM leases its manufacturing facilities from shareholders of IFM under month-
to-month leases for $7,000 per month.
 
9. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
 
IFM maintains the majority of its cash balances at one financial institution.
These balances are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to
$100,000. The uninsured balance on deposit at the financial institution
totaled $220,000 at December 31, 1996.
 
10. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash, accounts
receivable, and accounts payable approximate their fair values.
 
11. LEGAL COSTS
 
During 1996, IFM incurred legal expenses aggregating $117,000 relating to the
settlement of three separate lawsuits.
 
                                     F-23
<PAGE>
 
                           IDEAS FOR MEDICINE, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
 
12. GEOGRAPHIC AREA
 
IFM produces surgical devices for hospitals in the U.S. and throughout the
World. All sales are to unaffiliated customers. Sales to international
distributors aggregated $1,304,000 in 1996.
 
13. PROPOSED MERGER
 
IFM is involved in negotiations with a third-party corporation for a proposed
merger of IFM with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of CryoLife, Inc. The
accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments which may be
required upon the successful completion of such a merger.
 
14. EVENT SUBSEQUENT TO DATE OF AUDITORS' REPORT (UNAUDITED)
 
On March 5, 1997, CryoLife, Inc. acquired the stock of IFM for consideration
of approximately $4.5 million in cash and approximately $5 million in
convertible debentures plus related expenses. The acquisition was accounted
for as a purchase. Following the acquisition, IFM became a wholly-owned
subsidiary of CryoLife, Inc. and will be taxed as a C corporation.
 
                                     F-24
<PAGE>
 
                                CRYOLIFE, INC.
 
               PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
 
                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          IDEAS FOR                 PRO FORMA
                               CRYOLIFE  MEDICINE TWO              CONSOLIDATED
                              YEAR ENDED MONTHS ENDED  PRO FORMA    YEAR ENDED
                               12/31/97    2/28/97    ADJUSTMENTS    12/31/97
                              ---------- ------------ -----------  ------------
<S>                           <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>
REVENUES:
  Cryopreservation and
   product...................  $50,409      $1,213                   $51,622
  Other......................      460                                   460
                               -------      ------                   -------
Total revenues...............   50,869       1,213                    52,082
COST AND EXPENSES:
  Preservation costs and cost
   of goods sold.............   17,764         510                    18,274
  General and
   administrative............   20,548         423       $  35 (A)    21,029
                                                            81 (B)
                                                           (58)(C)
  Research and development...    3,946          50                     3,996
  Interest expense...........      978                     122 (D)     1,100
                               -------      ------       -----       -------
Total costs and expenses.....   43,236         983         180        44,399
                               -------      ------       -----       -------
Income before income taxes...    7,633         230        (180)        7,683
Income tax expense...........    2,908                      19 (E)     2,927
                               -------      ------       -----       -------
Net income...................  $ 4,725      $  230       $(199)      $ 4,756
                               =======      ======       =====       =======
Earnings per share:
  Basic......................  $  0.49                               $  0.49
                               =======                               =======
  Diluted....................  $  0.48                               $  0.48
                               =======                               =======
Weighted average shares
 outstanding:
  Basic......................    9,642                                 9,642
  Diluted....................    9,942                                 9,942
</TABLE>
- --------
(A) Represents costs associated with new consulting agreement with former
    principal owner of IFM.
(B) Represents amortization of intangible assets acquired in connection with
    the acquisition of IFM.
(C) Elimination of salary and related costs for IFM personnel who are no
    longer with CryoLife as a result of the acquisition of IFM.
(D) Adjustments to interest expense to reflect borrowings and indebtedness
    related to the acquisition of IFM.
(E) Income tax effects related to (A) through (D) above and IFM's change in
    status from an S corporation to a C corporation.
 
                                     F-25
<PAGE>
 
 
 
                       ---------------------------------
                       CRYOLIFE CRYOPRESERVATION PROCESS
                       ---------------------------------
                           Shipping
                       ----------------                    Implantation
                                                       -------------------
      -----------------   [Image of    ----------------
      |                    shipping]                     [Image of valve
      |                 ---------------                   implantation]
      |
      |                                                -------------------
      |                                                         |
      |                                                         |
      |                                                         |
  Storage                                                       |
- ------------                                                    |
                                                                |
[Image of               ---------------                         |
 Freezers]                 [LOGO OF                             |
                      CRYOLIFE APPEARS HERE]                    |
- ------------            ---------------                      Recovery
      |                                                -------------------
      |
      |                                                    [Image of
Cryopreservation                                            Biker]
- ------------
                                                       -------------------
[Image of
 cryopreserva-
 tion process]
- ------------
      |
      |
      |            Dissection                            Procurement
      |         ---------------                        ---------------
      |
      ----------  [Image of    ------------------------  [Image of
                   dissection]                            Procurement]
 
                ---------------                        ---------------
 
<PAGE>
 
No dealer, salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representation other than those contained in this
Prospectus in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or
made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the Company, any Selling shareholder or any Underwriter. This
Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer
to buy, shares of Common Stock in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is
not lawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction or in which
the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so. Neither
the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any
circumstances, create an implication that there has been no change in the
affairs of the Company since the date hereof or that the information contained
herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date of this Prospectus.
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
Prospectus Summary........................................................    3
Risk Factors..............................................................    6
Forward-Looking Statements................................................   12
Use of Proceeds...........................................................   13
Price Range of Common Stock...............................................   14
Dividend Policy...........................................................   14
Capitalization............................................................   15
Selected Consolidated Financial Data......................................   16
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
 Operations...............................................................   17
Business..................................................................   23
Management................................................................   44
Principal and Selling Shareholders........................................   46
Description of Capital Stock..............................................   48
Shares Eligible for Future Sale...........................................   52
Underwriting..............................................................   54
Legal Matters.............................................................   55
Experts...................................................................   55
Additional Information....................................................   56
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference...........................   56
Glossary..................................................................   57
Index to Financial Statements.............................................  F-1
</TABLE>
 
PROSPECTUS                                                        MARCH 30, 1998
 
 
                                2,750,000 Shares
              LOGO
 
                                  Common Stock
 
 
LOGO                      SBC WARBURG DILLON READ INC.
                               PIPER JAFFRAY INC.


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