ChromaVision Names Dennis J. Slamon, M.D., Ph.D. as Scientific Advisor.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--March 22, 1999-- ChromaVision Medical Systems Inc. (Nasdaq/NM: CVSN), a unique cellular imaging diagnostics company and manufacturer of the Automated Cellular Imaging System (ACIS(TM)), Monday announced that Dennis J. Slamon, M.D., Ph.D. has joined its Scientific Advisory Board.

Slamon is the chief of the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the UCLA School of Medicine. He is professor and executive vice chair of the Department of Medicine and director for Clinical Research at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Slamon is dedicated to developing new technologies to improve cancer therapeutics. His scientific insight and leadership were instrumental in defining the powerful role that Herceptin(R), the first example of a new generation of powerful cancer therapeutics, can play in treating breast cancer. Herceptin targets the HER2 protein, which is present in increased levels in a significant percentage of cancers.

The use of Herceptin is guided by laboratory tests that are performed on tumor samples from cancer patients using techniques called immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization. The current methods are performed by a pathologist with a manual microscope and are highly subjective. The ChromaVision ACIS automates and objectively quantifies the HER2 protein in tumors, potentially leading to enhanced therapeutic guidance.

"Dr. Slamon is an internationally renowned investigator in both laboratory and clinical sciences, with a strong commitment to promoting translational research in cancer," stated Kenneth D. Bauer, Ph.D., V.P. and chief science officer for the company. "Dr. Slamon will provide scientific oversight of the application of ChromaVision technology to new cancer therapeutics such as Herceptin."

Slamon commented, "The lack of precision of manual methods has significantly hampered accurate identification of patients who would most benefit from Herceptin therapy. Application of an objective and quantitative method, such as the ChromaVision ACIS technology, could potentially provide the oncologist with more reliable information to guide appropriate patient treatment."

Slamon has helped to stimulate broad interdisciplinary collaborations between clinicians and scientists at UCLA through the creation of cooperative research programs, and the development and application of Cancer Center shared resources. Additionally, as director of the Cancer Centers' Medical Oncology Program Area, Slamon has developed inter-programmatic collaborations by these means and through new faculty recruitment. He has served as a consultant to the NCI and other agencies in identifying priorities for translational research program development, and is an effective liaison with regional and national supporters of the UCLA Cancer Center programs.

Slamon is also a critical member of the Cancer Center's Senior Leadership team. Slamon received both his M.D. and Ph.D. in Cell Biology from the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago in Illinois.

About ChromaVision Medical Systems

ChromaVision Medical Systems manufactures and markets an advanced cellular imaging system designed to advance the detection, diagnosis and treatment of cellular disease. The Automated Cellular Imaging System (ACIS(TM)) combines proprietary, color-based imaging technology with automated microscopy to bring unprecedented sensitivity, accuracy and reproducibility to cancer, infectious disease and genetic cell-based diagnostics. ChromaVision currently markets its products to physicians and researchers in university medical centers and commercial laboratories throughout the world.

ChromaVision Medical Systems was formed by XL Vision Inc., and is a Safeguard Scientifics Inc. (NYSE: SFE) partnership company.

For more information on ChromaVision Medical Systems, visit the company's Web site at http://www.chromavision.com.

The statements contained herein regarding ChromaVision Medical Systems contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainty. Future events and the company's actual results could differ materially from the results reflected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, uncertainty of success in developing any new diagnostic test, failure to obtain FDA clearance or approval for particular applications and dependence on third parties for clinical testing. ACIS is a trademark of ChromaVision Medical Systems Inc.