MelaFind® Featured On "The Rachael Ray Show"

IRVINGTON, N.Y., Oct. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MELA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: MELA), the medical device company that has 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, today announced that MelaFind® was featured on "The Rachael Ray Show," the Emmy award-winning national daytime talk show hosted by celebrity chef and best-selling author Rachael Ray.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130103/NY36051LOGO)

The "Future of Medicine" segment aired on October 9, 2013 and reported on the latest advancements in medicine and technology. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Cheryl M. Burgess highlighted MelaFind® as a breakthrough device in the detection of melanoma, the fastest growing cancer in the country. MelaFind® helps dermatologists identify melanoma at its most treatable stage by providing more information and data up to 2.5 mm below the skin's surface during melanoma skin examinations. This is the first time dermatologists have an FDA approved objective technology to help them establish a management plan for ambiguous moles.

The MelaFind® portion of the segment reinforced the importance of skin cancer exams, early melanoma detection and how new technologies, like MelaFind®, are helping in the process. Rachael Ray also noted that skin cancer exams should be a priority, stating that "unless people have a family history of melanoma, they don't understand how serious it is or how deadly it can be." If caught early, melanoma is almost 100% curable.

Dr. Burgess demonstrated MelaFind® on an audience member's ambiguous mole, taking viewers through a step-by-step process of a MelaFind® exam, explaining how dermatologists analyze results and ultimately determine the best course of action for a patient. She explained how MelaFind® acts as a "mini MRI" to analyze the mole, allowing dermatologists to study the results and ultimately determine the best course of action for a patient.

Click here to see more details on the "Future of Medicine" segment from the "The Rachael Ray Show."

MELA Sciences, Inc.'s Interim Chief Executive Officer Robert Coradini said, "We are honored that MelaFind® was one of the medical breakthroughs highlighted on 'The Rachael Ray Show.' Knowing that melanoma is a nationwide epidemic, our goal is to provide dermatologists with MelaFind® as a tool to aid in the diagnosis of this disease. We thank Rachael Ray for bringing attention to the issue of melanoma, and also thank Dr. Cheryl Burgess for spreading the news about MelaFind® and being a longtime advocate and user of the device."

According to the skin cancer foundation, of the seven most common cancers in the U.S., melanoma is the only cancer with an increasing incidence. Melanoma is almost 100% curable if caught early, but according to a Harris Interactive Study commissioned by MELA Sciences, Inc., 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® 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.