IRVINGTON, N.Y., Sept. 25, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MELA Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: MELA ), the medical device company that has developed and is commercializing MelaFind ®, the first and only FDA approved optical diagnostic device for melanoma detection used by dermatologists in their fight against melanoma, will be exhibiting MelaFind® at the German Skin Cancer Congress (ADO) that will take place in Essen, Germany on September 26-28, 2013. The DeCOG (Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group) is affiliated with the German Cancer Society (DKG) and the German Dermatologic Society (DDG).
The Congress will be lead by Prof. Dr. Dirk Schadendorf, ADO Congress Chairman and President, and Director of the Dermatology Department and Clinic at the University of Essen, and will focus on skin cancer prevention. According to the organizers, "the majority of patients are not aware that skin cancer is highly treatable at an early stage, but promising, groundbreaking advances in research and technology have been made and will be presented at the Congress."
MELA Sciences, Inc. will be exhibiting MelaFind®; a first of its kind, FDA and CE Mark approved, innovative spectral imaging and lesion data analysis system that aids and supports dermatologists' biopsy decisions by non-invasively providing important objective information as deep as 2.5 mm below the skin's surface.
Prof. Dr. Schadendorf and his team at the University of Essen's Dermatology Clinic have been working with the MelaFind® system for over twelve months. "MelaFind® provides important images and objective data that helps dermatologists better understand the structural disorganization of ambiguous pigmented skin lesions, making it a powerful assist to traditional methods (ABCDEPRU)," commented Dr. Schadendorf. He further noted that, "New technologies such as MelaFind® are enriching and complimenting dermatologists' skin cancer examinations by providing useful data about clinically ambiguous pigmented skin lesions that are difficult to differentiate from early-stage melanoma, when the disease is most curable and early detection is most critical to survival."
MelaFind® has been recognized by the Cleveland Clinic as a Top 10 Medical Innovation for 2013. Consumers can learn more about the device or locate a dermatologist with MelaFind® in their area by visiting www.melafind.com .
About MELA Sciences, Inc.
MELA Sciences is a medical device company focused on the commercialization of its flagship product, MelaFind® and its further design and development. MelaFind® is a non-invasive tool to provide additional information to dermatologists during melanoma skin examinations. The device uses light from visible to near-infrared wavelengths to evaluate skin lesions up to 2.5 mm beneath the skin. The device provides information on a lesion's level of morphologic disorganization to provide additional objective information that may be used by dermatologists in the biopsy decision-making process. MelaFind® has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in the US. In addition, MelaFind® has received CE Mark approval and is approved for use in the European Union.
For more information on MELA Sciences, visit www.melasciences.com .
About Association of Dermatologic Oncology (ADO) / Arbeitsgemeinschaft Dermatologishe Onkologie (ADO)
The DeCOG (Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group) is affiliated with the German Cancer Society (DKG) and the German Dermatologic Society (DDG). Founded in 1990, it promotes dermato-oncology to increase the quality of care for patients and to establish standards for skin cancer detection and treatment. This year's Congress will take place in Essen, Germany from September 26–28, 2013, and will be lead by Prof. Dr. Dirk Schadendorf, Director of the dermatology clinic at the University of Essen . http://www.ado-kongress.de/
Safe Harbor:
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include but are not limited to our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that contain words such as "expects," "contemplates," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "believes," "assumes," "predicts" and variations of such words or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends, or that do not relate to historical matters. These statements are based on our current beliefs or expectations and are inherently subject to significant known and unknown uncertainties and changes in circumstances, many of which are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that our beliefs or expectations will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from our beliefs or expectations due to financial, economic, business, competitive, market, regulatory and political factors or conditions affecting the company and the medical device industry in general, as well as more specific risks and uncertainties facing the company such as those set forth in its reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Factors that might cause such a difference include whether MelaFind® achieves market acceptance. Given the uncertainties affecting companies in the medical device industry such as the Company, any or all of these forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Therefore, you should not rely on any such factors or forward-looking statements. The Company urges you to carefully review and consider the disclosures found in its filings with the SEC which are available at www.sec.gov and www.melasciences.com .
For further information contact: Investors Lynn Pieper Westwicke Partners 415-202-5678 Media Erica Sperling Rpr Marketing Communications 212-317-1462
