Cierra, Inc. Receives Frost & Sullivan Interventional Cardiology Excellence in Research of the Year Award

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 16, 2006--Cierra, Inc. has been named the recipient of Frost & Sullivan's 2006 Excellence in Research of the Year Award in the field of interventional cardiology for its outstanding research and development efforts that led to the introduction of the PFX(TM) Closure System. The PFX Closure System provides a novel approach to the treatment of Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO). This catheter-based system has for the first time achieved clinical PFO closure without leaving behind an implant.

Erik Engelson, President and CEO of Cierra, said, "We are honored to be the recipient of this prestigious award, and look forward to offering patients a minimally-invasive, non-implant solution to PFO closure."

“We are honored to be the recipient of this prestigious award, and look forward to offering patients a minimally-invasive, non-implant solution to PFO closure.”

A PFO results from the incomplete closure of the wall between the left and right atria (upper chambers) of the heart. The opening exists before birth to allow oxygenated maternal blood to circulate throughout the fetus without having to pass through its lungs, and it generally closes shortly after birth. But in up to 27% of the population the incomplete closure persists into adulthood, and blood can move directly, under certain conditions, from the right atrium to the left atrium, bypassing filtration by the lungs. In these cases blood clots and/or other agents present in the blood can bypass the lungs and pass directly into the arterial system, potentially causing a stroke. The presence of PFO has also been associated with migraine headache, and closure of adult PFO has been shown to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks in early clinical trials in certain patients.

Safety is paramount for the otherwise healthy migraineur who faces the likelihood of a long healthy life ahead. Cierra's novel system closes PFO using "tissue welding" without an implant. This is done percutaneously using radio frequency (RF) energy that is delivered through Cierra's proprietary system. The delivery catheter remains entirely within the right atrium, minimizing risks associated with devices in the left atrium. The complete closure portion of the clinical procedure typically takes less than a half-hour to perform. Forty-one patients have been treated to date in European centers with very good results.

About Cierra

Cierra is the seventh portfolio company to emerge from the medical device incubator, The Foundry (www.the-foundry.com), and is privately held. Its venture investors are Morgenthaler Ventures (www.morgenthaler.com, Split Rock Partners (www.splitrockpartners.com) Frazier Healthcare Ventures (www.frazierhealthcare.com) and Delphi Ventures (www.delphiventures.com). www.cierrainc.com

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit www.frost.com.