CIPH Ciphergen Biosystems (MM)

Ciphergen Receives Medical Device Certification in China ProteinChip(R) System Approved by the State Food and Drug Administration FREMONT, Calif., March 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Ciphergen Diagnostics Division of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. announced today that the ProteinChip System has been certified (certificate number SFDA(I) 20032400768) by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) in China as a Medical Device, a result of demonstrating that the ProteinChip System has met the quality control requirements of the SFDA. This is the first step required to delivering diagnostic tests in China using the ProteinChip System and it is the first time that a mass spectrometer has been approved as a medical device in China. Future individual diagnostic tests will have to be individually cleared by the SFDA based on their performance in specific clinical trials, but the core ProteinChip diagnostic system itself will not have to be re-certified for each test. "We are extremely pleased to have received this designation from the SFDA," stated Gail Page, President of Ciphergen's Diagnostics Division. "This represents one more step in preparing the ProteinChip System for diagnostic use on a worldwide basis." William E. Rich, President and CEO of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. said, "Programs initiated by both our Biosystems and Diagnostics Divisions have led to Ciphergen being a world leader in protein biochip-based biomarker discovery, and we now look forward to pioneering the translation ofprotein biomarkers into commercial clinical diagnostics around the world." About Ciphergen Ciphergen's Diagnostics Division is dedicated to the discovery of protein biomarkers and panels of biomarkers and their development into protein molecular diagnostic tests that improve patient care; and to providing collaborative R&D services through its Biomarker Discovery Center(R) laboratories for biomarker discovery for new diagnostic tests as well as pharmacoproteomic services for improved drug toxicology, efficacy and theranostic assays. Ciphergen's Biosystems Division develops, manufactures and markets a family of ProteinChip(R) Systems and services for clinical, research, and process proteomics applications, as well as a broad range of bioseparations media for protein purification and large scale production. ProteinChip Systems enable protein discovery, characterization, identification and assay development to provide researchers with predictive, multi-marker assay capabilities and a better understanding of biological function at the protein level. Additional information about Ciphergen can be found at http://www.ciphergen.com/. Safe Harbor Statement Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: For purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"), Ciphergen disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and claims the protection of the Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Act. Examples of such forward-looking statements include statements regarding potential and future diagnostic tests, the use of ProteinChip technology to discover useful protein biomarkers, develop and commercialize clinical diagnostics that improve patient care, and the ability to provide services that lead to improved toxicology assays and diagnostic assays. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements due to various factors, including the ProteinChip technology's ability to validate and/or develop protein biomarkers as diagnostic or toxicology assays, the Company's ability to achieve SFDA approval for future individual diagnostic tests, and the Company's ability to successfully commercialize such tests. Investors should consult Ciphergen's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2003, for further information regarding these and the other risks of the Company's business. NOTE: Ciphergen, ProteinChip and Biomarker Discovery Center are registered trademarks of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. DATASOURCE: Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. CONTACT: Sue Carruthers, Investor Relations of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc., +1-510-505-2297 Web site: http://www.ciphergen.com/

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