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A New Platform for the Development of Targeted MRI Contrast Agents

Luna's Exclusive Nanomaterials Highlighted in Paper for U.S. Radiology Conference

ROANOKE, VA, Dec. 2, 2008 - Two internationally recognized radiology experts from Washington University in St. Louis have coauthored a paper on a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent platform technology using Luna’s proprietary molecule family known as HYDROCHALARONE™. The authors conclude that these new nanoparticles "represent a new and potentially powerful platform on which to build targeted MRI contrast agents." The paper is part of the peer-reviewed US Radiology publication that will be distributed at the world's largest annual radiology meeting, Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2008, being held in Chicago, Ill., this week.

Authors Joseph Ackerman, Chairman of the University's Chemistry Department and Director of the Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Laboratory, and Joel Garbow, the Associate Director, highlight the need for a safer MRI contrast agent with enhanced imaging and site-specific targeting capabilities. In the paper, they describe how Luna's new class of water-soluble endohedral metallofullerenes offer relaxivity of up to 10 times that of current gadolinium chelate -based MRI contrast agents on the market today. Additionally, they comment on the "stealth" properties of HYDROCHALRONE that offer "desirable properties for a platform on which to develop targeting species for clinical diagnosis and disease management."

US Radiology - Volume 2 Issue 1 can be picked up in the RSNA 2008 exhibitor area in the McCormick Place East Building - Hall D at Touch Briefings' booth #2221. The paper titled "A New Platform for the Development of Targeted, High-performance MRI Contrast Agents-Hydrochalarones (Endohedral Metallofullerenes)" can be found on pages 84-86. Additionally, the article can be downloaded at no charge from Touch Briefings Web site at www.touchbriefings.com.



About Luna Innovations' nanoWorks Division:
Luna nanoWorks is a division of Luna Innovations Incorporated. With a world-class nanomaterial manufacturing facility in Danville, Virginia, the nanoWorks Division is developing pharmaceutical products empowered by nanomaterials with applications in diagnostics and therapeutics. Luna’s exclusive carbon nanomaterials offer unique physical, chemical, thermal, magnetic, biological, optical and electronic properties that can be tailored to customer needs.

Forward Looking Statements:
This release includes information that constitutes “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding certain new nanoparticles and their use, potential and properties. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including risks and uncertainties set forth in the company's periodic reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such filings are available at the SEC's Web site at http://www.sec.gov, and at the company's Web site at http://www.lunainnovations.com. The statements made in this release are based on information available to the company as of the date of this release and Luna Innovations undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release.

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