Philadelphia, PA - June 7, 2005 -- Curtis Financial Group, in conjunction with the Eastern Technology Council, moderated a high level interactive roundtable discussion on "GETTING PAST DEAL BREAKERS," led by C. Boyd Clarke, CEO of Neose Technologies, Inc., Brenda Gavin, Managing Partner of Quaker BioVentures, and Stephen Webster, CEO of Neuronyx, Inc. and moderated by Steven N. Economou, Managing Director of Curtis Financial Group.

Held in held in the Board Room of Safeguard Scientifics in Wayne, PA, the roundtable was structured as a free form discussion providing the opportunity for executives to raise and discuss various topics ranging from expectations of the time to negotiate international marketing alliances to current venture capital terms and hot spots. Over 40 high level executives and scientists attended the session and engaged in frank and unhindered discussions with life science industry peers.

Many of us have experienced a deal seemingly on the verge of closing only to be scuttled by a "deal breaker." The discussions explored the nature of deal breakers, early identification of them, but most importantly, how deal breakers can be overcome. The roundtable leaders shared their own experiences with the other attendees and provided specific examples of deal breaker successes and failures with a focus on issues unique to life sciences companies.

About Curtis Financial Group, LLC
Curtis Financial Group, LLC is an investment banking firm based in Philadelphia, PA that advises middle market companies on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, raising capital, and provides fairness opinions, business valuations, and related corporate finance advisory services. Our professionals have completed merger and acquisitions with over $1.5 billion in transaction value, financing transactions of over $1 billion, and over 100 fairness opinions and 1,000 valuations.

General Contact: Kevin J. Rudd, President, 215-972-2351