ART Advanced Research Technologies Receives $500,000 From Government of Canada to Pursue Commercialization Activities

MONTREAL, CANADA, Jul 07 (MARKET WIRE) --
ART Advanced Research Technologies Inc. ("ART" or the "Company") (TSX:
ARA), a Canadian medical device company and a leader in optical molecular
imaging products for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, is
pleased to report that it has been awarded $500,000 in repayable funding
by the Government of Canada for the commercialization of its Optix(R) MX3
and SoftScan(R) optical molecular imaging products in North America. The
Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government
Services Canada and Minister responsible for the Montreal region,
announced the contribution on behalf of the federal government at a press
conference held today at ART's headquarters.

ART's two lead products-SoftScan and Optix-are based on a unique
technology that uses light to measure physiological changes in living
tissue, indicating the presence of anomalies, tumours, or lesions. In
clinical settings, the SoftScan system for breast imaging is
demonstrating its importance as a valuable tool for clinicians in the
diagnosis and treatment monitoring of breast cancer. Oncologists are able
to see rapidly if a course of treatment is working and then adjust or
interrupt treatment. ART's other key imaging device, the Optix molecular
imaging system, is designed to visualize and characterize molecular
events in small animals at the preclinical study phases of new drugs. A
pre-commercial launch of the new generation of the system, called Optix
MX3, was held last May in Europe.

"The Government of Canada is proud to lend its support to ART, an
innovative company that is helping Canada build an advantage in knowledge
and research and development. In today's economy, innovation and its
commercial applications are powerful engines of growth for small and
medium-sized enterprises. That is why our government intends, through
Canada's Economic Action Plan, to invest an unprecedented $5.1 billion in
the science and technology sector to support projects that will stimulate
the economy and create quality jobs," stated the Honourable Christian
Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada and
Minister responsible for the Montreal region.

"We are delighted by this support from the Government of Canada, which
will help us in our efforts to position our products in the
highly-competitive North American market and thus strengthen our business
here in Canada", said Sebastien Gignac, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of ART. "Sales growth prospects for our Optix product in North
America are particularly favourable at this time as governments have
increased funding for scientific research, and this $500,000 contribution
from the Government of Canada will allow us to capitalize on the
retooling which is now underway in the industry," explained Mr. Gignac.

About ART

ART Advanced Research Technologies Inc. is a leader in molecular imaging
products for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. ART has
developed products in medical imaging, medical diagnostics, disease
research, and drug discovery with the goal of bringing new and better
treatments to patients faster. The Optix(R) optical molecular imaging
system, designed for monitoring physiological changes in living systems
at the preclinical study phases of new drugs, is used by industry and
academic leaders worldwide. The SoftScan(R) optical medical imaging
device is designed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of breast
cancer. Finally, the Fenestra(R) line of molecular imaging contrast
products provides image enhancement for a wide range of preclinical Micro
CT applications allowing scientists to see greater detail in their
imaging studies, with potential extension into other major imaging
modalities. ART is commercializing some of these products in a global
strategic alliance with GE Healthcare, a world leader in mammography and
imaging. ART's shares are listed on the TSX under the ticker symbol ARA.
For more information on ART, visit our website at www.art.ca.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements subject to
risks and uncertainties that would cause actual events to differ
materially from expectations. These risks and uncertainties are described
in the most recent Annual Information Form and the financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 2008, available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

Contacts:
ART Advanced Research Technologies Inc.
Jacques Bedard
Chief Financial Officer
514-832-0777
jbedard@art.ca
www.art.ca

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