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                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.4


                                                                    NEWS RELEASE

                        [CELERIS CORPORATION LETTERHEAD]


CONTACT: PAUL R. JOHNSON
         CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
         (615) 341-0223


                           CELERIS CORPORATION ADOPTS
                          SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS AGREEMENT


NASHVILLE, Tennessee (March 6, 2001) -- Celeris Corporation (Nasdaq/NM:CRSC), a
provider of specialty clinical research services to pharmaceutical, medical
device and biotechnology companies, today announced that its Board of Directors
has adopted a shareholder rights agreement designed to enhance the ability of
shareholders to realize the long-term value of their investment in the Company.

         Barbara A. Cannon, president and chief executive officer of Celeris
Corporation, said, "The rights are designed to assure that all of Celeris'
shareholders receive fair and equal treatment and to guard against partial
tender offers, squeeze-outs, open market accumulations and other abusive tactics
to gain control of the Company without paying all shareholders a premium. It's
important to note that no such takeover efforts have occurred to date, nor do we
know of any which may occur in the future. However, with both our cash and book
values currently in excess of our market value, this shareholder rights plan
helps ensure the Company will have the opportunity to fulfill its strategic
business plan and requires interested parties to deal directly with the Board of
Directors."

         The rights agreement provides that one preferred stock purchase right
will be payable on March 6, 2001, to the holders of record of Celeris' common
stock on each outstanding share at the close of business on that date. The
rights become exercisable only if an entity acquires, without approval of
Celeris' Board of Directors, 15% or more of Celeris' common stock or announces a
tender offer with the intention to do the same. Each right allows holders to
acquire additional shares of common stock in either Celeris or an acquiring
entity at a 50% discount to market.

         Shareholders do not need to take any action to receive the rights, and,
until the rights become exercisable, the existing stock certificates will
represent both the rights and the common shares. Details of the shareholder
rights agreement are outlined in a letter that will be mailed to all Celeris
shareholders.

         Celeris Corporation is a provider of specialty clinical research
services and information technology services that expedite and streamline the
clinical trial and regulatory submission process for pharmaceutical, medical
device and biotechnology manufacturers.


                                      -MORE-
<PAGE>   2
CRSC Adopts Shareholders'
   Protection Rights Agreement
Page 2
March 6, 2001


         This press release may contain "forward-looking" statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking
statements include statements of intent, belief or current expectations of
Celeris Corporation and its management. Such forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of future results and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause
actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the
forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause such
differences include, but are not limited to the uncertainty of market acceptance
of the Company's clinical research services; changes in the Company's backlog
including potential cancellation, delay or change in the scope of client
contracts for clinical research services; the Company's dependence on a single
client for a material portion of the Company's revenues; the market acceptance
of the Company's Internet capabilities; and other risk factors detailed in the
Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Company's
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.

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