Company Healthcare Enterprise Group PLC   TIDM HCEG Headline Funding of Ebiox Subsidiary Released    07:00 05-Jun-09 Number 4170T07



Healthcare Enterprise Group plc

("HCEG", "the Company" or "the Group")

Funding of Ebiox subsidiary

Healthcare Enterprise Group plc (AIM: HCEG), announces that on 1st June 2009 it's 95% owned subsidiary Ebiox Limited ("Ebiox") received applications to subscribe for shares in Ebiox amounting to £700,000 in cash before expenses. The new investors will account for approximately 36.8% of the increased share capital of Ebiox. Of the total amount subscribed, £400,000 (21.1%) has been subscribed by interests associated with Mr. Nigel Wray and £50,000 (2.6%) has been subscribed by Mr. John Honey, Ebiox's Executive Chairman. A further £250,000 (13.1%) is conditional on shareholder approval of the investing company and is expected to complete by the end of June 2009. Mr. Wray and Mr. Honey will also be entitled to warrants to subscribe for an additional 53,333 and 6,667 shares respectively in Ebiox at £1.00 per share for the period ending 1st June 2012. Mr. Wray will also be joining the board of Ebiox as a non executive director. 

Of the proceeds, the sum of £100,000 has been paid to HCEG in the form of management fees to fund short term operating costs. The balance of the proceeds will leave Ebiox fully funded for the short and medium term.

Ebiox has witnessed a surge in demand following the outbreak of swine flu, and the Ebiox management, headed by John Honey, has been keen to take advantage of the flow of new orders. Accordingly, the Ebiox board considered that the best way for the company to raise new funds while its parent HCEG was still finalising its own restructuring, was to raise capital directly. It is hoped that with this injection of new funds, and the introduction of Mr. Wray to the board, Ebiox will be able to seize this opportunity to create additional sales and negotiate additional products, such as those which have now been contracted to Great Ormond Street Hospital under the Ebiox brand. 

As set out in the announcement of 29 May 2009, the Group is currently engaged in a process of refinancing whereby it is proposed that certain significant liabilities, including convertible unsecured loan stock, held in HCEG will be converted into a combination of equity in HCEG, shares in the company's investment in First Aid Holdings Limited and subsidiaries Ebiox and Reproductive Sciences Limited ("RSL").

"In the future, the Group expects to function as an investment holding company with a minimal cost base which will be funded through a small-fund raising or further realisation of the Group's investments. Notwithstanding the current economic climate, we remain convinced that Healthcare Enterprise Group has valuable investments in exciting niches of the healthcare market."

Whilst this Ebiox funding has provided some additional working capital for the Group's immediate needs, discussions continue with a small group of investors to raise additional capital for the Group. Whilst these discussions have yet to reach a conclusion, the directors remain confident that further funds will be raised although there can be no guarantee that such funds will be secured. In the event that these discussions are not successfully concluded in the next month, the Group's funding position will be such that it will be required to consider a range of alternatives including further sales of shares in its investee companies. If the Company is unable to raise sufficient cash from such sales, the Directors may have no alternative but to consider whether it is appropriate for the Group to remain as a going concern.

Pursuant to the announcement made on 22 December 2008, the Company's shares remain suspended from trading on AIM. 

Further Enquiries: 

Healthcare Enterprise Group Plc 

Lyndon Gaborit, Executive Deputy Chairman 
Tel: + 44 (0)1925 898 201

www.hcegroup.com 

Daniel Stewart & Company Plc 

                                                                                                             Tel  020 7776 6550

Graham Webster/Stewart Dick

Notes to Editor: 

Healthcare Enterprise Group PLC companies include Ebiox Limited, a specialist disinfectant and decontamination company which has a range of proprietary products patented and approved for sale in multiple world markets; Reproductive Sciences Limited which invests in medical devices product development, particularly in the area of women's' health; and investments in healthcare products and services. 

Nigel Wray has extensive experience as an investor in both quoted and unquoted companies. He is the Chairman of Saracens Rugby Club and British Seafood Group Holdings Limited, Non-Executive Director of Prestbury Investment Holdings Limited, Dominos UK & IRL PLC, Play Holdings Limited, Networkers International Plc, English Wines Group PLC, Seymour Pierce Holdings Limited and several other private companies.

John Honey, Executive Chairman of Ebiox Limited, brings a wealth of experience in the disinfectant and decontamination industry as well as senior management roles in marketing and general management. John previously served as Senior Vice President of Reckitt Benckiser plc, responsible at various times during his 29 year tenure as executive responsible for Reckitt's global cleaning and disinfectant businesses, including Dettol, Lysol and Cilit Bang brands and its worldwide over the counter business which included Boots Healthcare International (which was acquired for £1.9Bn). He retired from Reckitt's in 2007 to pursue private interests.