MELA Sciences, Inc., a Leader in the Fight Against Melanoma, Participates in the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery Annual Meeting

IRVINGTON, N.Y., Oct. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MELA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: MELA), the medical device company that 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 participate in the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) Annual Meeting from October 3-6, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, Illinois.

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The four-day event is an educational opportunity for the Society's dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons to stay abreast of innovative devices, news and technology. As part of the meeting, MELA Sciences' Interim Chief Executive Officer, Robert Coradini, and his team will be showcasing the Company's flagship product, MelaFind®, at booth 1000.

Attendees at the meeting will have access to in-depth information about MelaFind®, receive live demonstrations and connect one-on-one with the Company's executives.

Melanoma is currently the deadliest and fastest growing cancer in the U.S., with one American dying from melanoma every hour. Skin cancer has reached epidemic proportions, even though the cause (ultraviolet rays) and prevention (sun protection) is known. Melanoma is almost 100% curable if caught early, but only 24 percent of American adults have had a skin check by a dermatologist, which can lead to missed cases as well as potentially advanced and fatal stages.

"MelaFind® is successfully being implemented in dermatologists' offices in the United States and Germany and we are committed to raising awareness of the disease and helping dermatologists fight this deadly epidemic with MelaFind® as an advanced tool to help in diagnosis," said Robert Coradini, Interim CEO for MELA Sciences. "It is the only FDA approved and CE Marked optical diagnostic device for melanoma detection, which non-invasively and painlessly takes 3-D images of a mole as deep as 2.5mm below the skin's surface with multi-spectral light and analyzes 75 key features with proprietary algorithms to aid dermatologists with useful information in their biopsy decisions of ambiguous moles."

"The results obtained from a MelaFind® exam combined with my expertise in dermatology and knowledge of patient histories helps me to make the best decision for my patients when examining atypical lesions," said Darrell Rigel, MD, Clinical Professor of Dermatology, New York University and recently named Chief Medical Advisor to the Board of Directors of MELA Sciences, Inc. "Using MelaFind®, I can see up to 2.5mm beneath the surface of the skin to obtain information I wouldn't have seen using the naked eye."

MelaFind® has been recognized by the Cleveland Clinic as a Top 10 Medical Innovation for 2013 and was recently featured in The Wall Street Journal. 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, Inc. 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 that provides 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 supplies 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 U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the U.S. In addition, MelaFind® has received CE Mark approval and is approved for use in the European Union.

For more information on MELA Sciences, Inc., visit www.melasciences.com.

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.

SOURCE MELA Sciences, Inc.