ViaCell CEO Marc Beer Named an Ernst & Young New England Entrepreneur of the Year 06/30/2004 ViaCell, Inc., a premier cellular therapy company, announced today that Marc Beer, ViaCell's Chief Executive Officer, has been named Ernst & Young 2004 New England Entrepreneur of the Year in the Emerging Life Sciences Entrepreneur category. Now in its 18th year, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® awards program recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The program honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in 100 cities and 35 countries. "I am honored to accept the Entrepreneur of the Year award on behalf of the entire ViaCell team, now 240 employees strong in offices and laboratories in the United States, Germany and Singapore," commented Mr. Beer. "This team's cohesive entrepreneurial spirit has been a major factor in the company's growth and will continue to fuel our progress and our ability to advance breakthrough medicines." Chosen among 46 finalists from 43 companies by an independent panel of judges, recipients of Ernst & Young's 2004 New England regional award will now compete with recipients from 35 other regions for the national awards at the National Entrepreneur of the Year® Conference in Palm Springs, California, this November. Past New England regional award recipients have included Henri Termeer of Genzyme Corporation, Pat Sullivan of Cytyc Corporation, Leon Gorman of L.L. Bean Inc., Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's Homemade, and Patricia Gallup of PC Connection, among others.