Cytyc Announces UK NICE Guidance Recommending Liquid-Based Cytology for Cervical Screening.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

BOXBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 2003

Cytyc Corporation (Nasdaq:CYTC) today announced that the UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance recommending that liquid-based cytology be used as the primary means to process samples for cervical cancer screening programmes in England and Wales. NICE, a part of the UK National Health Service (NHS), is an independent organization responsible for providing national guidance on treatments and care for those using the NHS in England and Wales. The NHS Cervical Screening Programme and Cervical Screening Wales provide cervical cancer screening for approximately 4.5 million women annually.

"The introduction of Liquid-based Cytology (LBC) is an example of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme taking advantage of new technology," said Julietta Patnick, Director of the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes. "The programme has been in a continuous state of development since its inception in 1988 and LBC will help move the programme forward into the 21st century."

The NICE Committee assessed a number of factors related to LBC, including sensitivity, specificity, specimen adequacy, laboratory efficiency, and cost. In considering all these factors, the Committee concluded that, "There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend one LBC product over another." However, the Committee noted a "lack of consistency between the results" of the two pilot sites using the ThinPrep(R) device and the one pilot site using another LBC method. The previously reported results of the pilot study showed that only the ThinPrep(R) Pap Test demonstrated a significant increase in the detection of moderate and severe dyskaryosis (HSIL). This data is available at: http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical/lbc-pilot-evaluation.pdf.

"The guidance issued today by NICE marks the successful completion of the evaluation process we entered into nearly four years ago," said Patrick J. Sullivan, Cytyc's chairman, president, and chief executive officer. "Throughout this thorough clinical and cost analysis, the performance of the ThinPrep Pap Test clearly demonstrated why it has become the standard for cervical cancer screening in the U.S. We welcome the opportunity to establish the ThinPrep Pap Test as the standard in the UK and throughout Europe."

In March 2002, the Scottish Executive announced a major investment in the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme to implement LBC. Since that announcement, Scotland is exclusively converting to the ThinPrep Pap Test.

Cytyc Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and markets the ThinPrep(R) System for use in medical diagnostic applications primarily focused on women's health. The ThinPrep System is widely used for cervical cancer screening and is the platform from which the Company has launched its expansion into breast cancer risk assessment with the FirstCyte(TM) Breast Test. The ThinPrep System consists of the ThinPrep(R) 2000 Processor, ThinPrep(R) 3000 Processor, ThinPrep(R) Imaging System, and related reagents, filters, and other supplies. Cytyc is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol CYTC.

Cytyc and ThinPrep are registered trademarks of Cytyc Corporation. FirstCyte is a trademark of Cytyc Corporation for which registration has been applied.

Forward-looking statements in this press release are made pursuant to the provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release which are not strictly historical statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to the Company's financial condition, operating results and future economic performance, and management's expectations regarding future growth opportunities, product acceptance and business strategy, constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among others, dependence on key personnel and proprietary technology, uncertainty of product development efforts, product acceptance, management of growth, risks associated with competition and competitive pricing pressures, risks associated with the FDA regulatory approval processes and any healthcare reimbursement policies, risks associated with litigation, and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the heading "Certain Factors Which May Affect Future Results" in its 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K and its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in Company expectations or events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.