ChromaVision and Ventana to Co-Market HPV Cervical Cancer Test.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. & TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 2002--ChromaVision Medical Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CVSN) and Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:VMSI) announced today an agreement to jointly market an automated staining and imaging method of testing for human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus known to be the primary cause of cervical cancer. This collaboration joins the leading provider of cellular imaging systems with the leading provider of automated Anatomical Pathology advanced staining systems, in marketing a newly-developed test combining ChromaVision's ACIS(R) image analysis systems with Ventana reagents and automated staining platforms. As compared with existing HPV testing systems, this new method offers the pathologist direct visual interpretation of the cellular analyses. This agreement will open up new customer prospects for both companies, as the integrated testing system will be actively marketed to the firms' existing common customers and new laboratory customers.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide, and is the first major solid tumor cancer to be identified as caused by a virus. It is estimated that over three and a half million women each year in the U.S. will have an abnormal pap smear and are candidates for HPV testing.

"This collaboration will bring customers a highly automated newly optimized specific method for HPV detection which leverages both our Company's technologies," said Christopher Gleeson, Ventana's President and Chief Executive Officer, who commented further that, "this is entirely consistent with Ventana's commitment to improved patient care through advanced slide staining technology in the cervical cancer diagnostic market."

Carl W. Apfelbach, President and CEO of ChromaVision, said, "This agreement represents a beneficial partnership opportunity and marks our first major foray into infectious disease testing, expanding on our existing platform of oncology-related tests. The HPV test is a natural extension of our technology and is complemented by Ventana's state-of-the-art products. The pairing of our technologies is geared at providing a level of accurate and precise information to physicians previously unattainable."

The companies will initiate an expedited validation plan and joint sales training to ensure rapid implementation of their co-marketing efforts.

About ChromaVision Medical Systems, Inc.

ChromaVision Medical Systems, Inc., develops innovative medical systems to improve anatomic pathology diagnostics through accuracy, standardization and quantitation. ChromaVision's ACIS(R) (pronounced a-sis) or automated cellular imaging system is a unique patented technology that detects, counts and classifies cells of clinical interest based on color, size and shape to assist pathologists in making critical medical decisions. Peer-reviewed clinical data and publications have demonstrated that the ACIS digital microscope and proprietary software can considerably improve accuracy and consistency over other methods of laboratory testing. ChromaVision's mission is to improve the quality and reduce the cost of patient care, and speed the drug discovery process.

The company's systems have been adopted by many of the top clinical laboratories, hospitals, university medical centers and biopharmaceutical companies in the United States and Europe.

ChromaVision and ACIS are registered trademarks of ChromaVision Medical Systems, Inc. For more information, visit the company's website at www.chromavision.com.

ChromaVision, based in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., is a Safeguard Scientifics (NYSE:SFE) partner company.

About Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.

Ventana develops, manufactures and markets instrument/reagent systems that automate tissue preparation and slide staining in clinical histology and drug discovery laboratories worldwide. Ventana's clinical systems are important tools used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Ventana's drug discovery systems are used to accelerate the discovery of new drug targets and evaluate the safety of new drug compounds.

For more information on Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. visit www.ventanamed.com

The Molecular Discovery Systems Division has its own website at www.ventanadiscovery.com

This news release contains certain "forward-looking" statements and information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements, by their very nature, include risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, the companies' actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this release. A wide variety of factors could cause or contribute to such differences and could adversely impact revenues profitability, cash flow and capital needs. Complete listings of cautionary statements and risk factors are contained in the companies' reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.