CLEVELAND, OH - February 18, 2004 - NineSigma, Inc., a Cleveland, Ohio-based innovation sourcing firm, announced today the promotion of Shauna Brummet to the new position of Vice President of Operations and Paul Stupay to the new position of Vice President of Business Development. NineSigma serves the global research and development industry by facilitating open innovation strategies for clients seeking to acquire technical innovations developed outside their organization. Both of these moves support the company's aggressive growth plans to expand client accounts and form new alliances to amplify its global solution provider network. With more than 40 clients, and over 100 projects per year, the company's new organizational structure provides leadership and focus to support its growing client activities.

Shauna Brummet is named VP of Operations

Dr. Shauna R. Brummet joined NineSigma in 2001 as Senior Program Manager for the pharmaceutical, biotech, and consumer products fields. She has more than 17 years experience as a scientist and in research, manufacturing, and commercial management and entrepreneurship. In her new role, Brummet will focus on expanding the Managed Exchange (M:X™) capability including the development of new client user tools and will continue to build deeper service level relationships between NineSigma and its clients. "We are excited to expand our M:X™ capability by enhancing our web-based user tools and developing programs geared toward increased usage of NineSigma throughout client organizations," said Brummet.

Dr. Brummet did post-doctoral work at The Ohio State University and holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry and an M.S. degree in analytical chemistry from the University of Akron and a B.S. degree in microbiology from Purdue University. She is active in the Northeast Ohio life sciences community.

Paul Stupay is named VP of Business Development

Paul S. Stupay joined NineSigma as Director of Business Development in 2001 with expertise in high technology marketing and sales. He has more than 14 years of business development, marketing and consulting experience, managing strategic alliances and product development for world-class technology companies. In his new role, Stupay will continue his leadership in sales and account management, focusing on key industries including automotive, consumer products, medical devices, and electronics. He will also assume new responsibilities in developing alliances and sales networks globally. "Companies from around the world are working with NineSigma to develop innovation networks to accelerate top-line growth and enhance competitiveness. Our growth in 2003 is a testament to our value proposition and the increasing awareness and adoption of open innovation strategies in the marketplace," said Stupay.

Stupay earned his M.B.A. in marketing and finance from Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management, and his B.A. in economics from the University of Wisconsin.

About NineSigma

NineSigma serves the global research and development industry by facilitating "Open Innovation" strategies for clients seeking to acquire technical innovations developed outside their organization. NineSigma's clients are Fortune 500 companies spanning a variety of industries including automotive, biomedical, chemical, consumer products, defense, electronics, optics, pharmaceutical, and telecommunications among others. Through its proprietary Managed Exchange (M:X™) process that utilizes Ph.D.-level program managers, web-based tools, and a database of global solution providers, NineSigma matches technology seekers with unobvious or disruptive innovations faster, more effectively, and at a lower cost than conventional means. For more information on NineSigma, visit www.ninesigma.com .

Shauna Brummet photo: http://www.ggcomm.com/ninesigma/images/brummet.jpg

Paul Stupay photo: http://www.ggcomm.com/ninesigma/images/stupay.jpg

NineSigma Contact:

  Bronwyn Monroe 
  (216) 295-4822
  Marketing Manager