IRVINGTON, N.Y., July 25, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MELA Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:MELA), developer of the MelaFind(R) system, an optical diagnostic device approved for use in the United States and the European Union to assist dermatologists in melanoma diagnosis, announced today that it has closed its previously announced private placement of approximately $15.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured convertible debentures, 12,300 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock, and warrants to purchase approximately 11.2 million shares of common stock. Using a portion of the proceeds of the financing, it has repurchased all of the outstanding shares of Series A convertible preferred stock issued in February 2014. The Company will use the remainder of the proceeds for general working capital purposes, including continued commercialization of the MelaFind system.

"These capital resources will allow us to continue our progress toward obtaining CMS reimbursement and completing the MelaFind Real-World clinical study," said Rose Crane, MELA Sciences President and CEO. "We look forward to running additional reader studies and releasing preliminary results of the real-world study, which are led by Darrell Rigel, MD, MS, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center (studies performed independently and not associated in any way with NYU Langone Medical Center). The quality of the investors involved in this financing is a very strong endorsement of our MelaFind system and of our ability to achieve commercial success in the dermatology and pathology markets.

For more information go to: www.melafind.com.