Cyrano Sciences, Inc.We Digitize Smell...


Cyrano Sciences, Inc.: Company
  Welch Allyn, Inc. Invests in Cyrano Sciences, Inc., Licensing and Development Agreement Signed

Skaneateles Falls, NY and Pasadena, CA, September 7, 1999 -- Welch Allyn, Inc. announced today that it has invested in Cyrano Sciences, Inc., a company that develops chemical sensors able to digitize smells. Along with the investment, a licensing and development agreement was signed, whereby both companies will work together to create medical diagnostic products incorporating Cyrano's proprietary sensor technology. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The goal of the collaboration is to produce products for primary care physicians based on an electronic nose, using Cyrano's patented polymer composite sensor technology. Medical practitioners have relied on identifying characteristic odors to diagnose diseases for many years. Cyrano's inexpensive and portable electronic nose technology will enable medical and dental care providers to identify, immediately and accurately, the chemical components in breath, wounds, and bodily fluids characteristic of illnesses including infections and metabolic conditions.

"We are excited to work with Welch Allyn, one of the world's most respected medical product manufacturers, to develop diagnostic products for primary care providers," said Steven Sunshine, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cyrano Sciences, Inc. "Welch Allyn pioneered the use of electronic vision devices for medical diagnosis, and we look forward to similar success in jointly creating digital smell recognition devices for the physician's office market and other 'first-point-of-care' settings. We are confident that Welch Allyn's extensive product development experience and Cyrano's in-depth knowledge of chemical sensors and innovative technology will result in a winning combination."

"Welch Allyn is looking forward to the opportunity to bring new categories of diagnostic instruments to our front-line physician markets worldwide," said Peter H. Soderberg, Group Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Welch Allyn Medical Products. "We know that smell and specific volatile chemicals are accurate diagnostic markers for a wide range of diseases. We believe that Cyrano's proprietary, inexpensive sensor technology will allow for simple, non-invasive, and immediate diagnosis of disease to improve medical treatment and reduce healthcare costs."

About Cyrano Sciences, Inc.

Cyrano Sciences, Inc., located in Pasadena, Calif., was formed in April, 1997 when the company was granted an exclusive worldwide license for the electronic nose platform developed by scientists at the California Institute of Technology. Information about the company can be found on the World Wide Web at https://cyranosciences.com.

About Welch Allyn, Inc.

Privately held and founded in 1915, Welch Allyn, Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of innovative medical and dental diagnostic instruments, automatic data input devices, miniature precision lamps, and remote visual inspection equipment. Headquartered in Skaneateles Falls, NY, USA, Welch Allyn employs more than 2,000 people and has numerous manufacturing, sales, and distribution facilities located throughout the world.

For more information, visit the Welch Allyn web site at http://www.welchallyn.com.

Contact:
Welch Allyn, Inc.
Jean Vincent,
or
Cyrano Sciences, Inc.
Saskia Feast, 626/744-1700