Sekunjalo- Acquires 50.6% Of Bioclones
SEKUNJALO INVESTMENTS LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Registration number 1996/006093/06
Share Code: SKJ ISIN: ZAE000017893
(`Sekunjalo`)
Press Release
28 June 2005
Sekunjalo Investments is pleased to announce that it has acquired 50,6% of
Bioclones with the option to increase its shareholding to 60,4%.
Sekunjalo`s CEO describes the acquisition as an important development in the
Company`s history that will allow it to become an influential player in the
global pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector.
Bioclones is a biotechnology company devoted to the development and manufacture
of biotechnology products for human pharmaceutical use, with new developments
focussed on the treatment of diseases in man due to failure of cellular immune
responses. The biotechnology products are aimed at areas relating to infectious
diseases, cancers and auto-immune diseases. Bioclones is the largest
Biotechnology Company in Africa developing modern biotechnology products for
human pharmaceutical use.
Dr Donninger, CEO and Shareholder of Bioclones has indicated that the
partnership with Sekunjalo allows Bioclones to unlock the value in its
technology and patents which are currently registered worldwide. Dr Donninger
has said, that Sekunjalo`s focus and business model of putting people before
profits, has made this partnership attractive since it will now be possible to
assist in the development of biotechnology solutions to overcome many of the
infectious diseases facing Africa today. Dr Donninger has indicated that
Bioclones is at the cutting edge of technology and through its scientists is
able to add significant value to the growth of the biotechnology and
pharmaceutical sector such that it brings affordable solutions to Africa`s
population.
Dr Surve, CEO of Sekunjalo has said that Bioclones is an opportunity for
Sekunjalo to combine its significant interest in the health care sector along
with its corporate expertise to unlock the value present in 22 worldwide
registered patents and 8 current patents pending for registration worldwide. Dr
Surve has said that the product portfolio of Biocolones is world class and lends
itself to a potential listing in London and on the Nasdaq. In this regard, the
new board of Bioclones and Sekunjalo will jointly be exploring the listing of
Bioclones on international stock exchanges. At the appropriate time an
announcement will be made with regard to the above.
Dr Surve has indicated that Sekunjalo`s subsidiary African Biotechnology and
Medical Innovation Investments will be structured to incorporate all the group`s
biotechnology investments in the enzyme technology sector (medical
biotechnology), aquaculture (abalone), Plant Biotechnology (Seagro) and Medical
diagnostics (Uricheck) with a view to consolidating the largest African
Biotechnology company in support of development solutions for Africa. Dr Surve
has mentioned that whilst the greatest beneficiary of these biotechnology
innovations will be South Africans and Africans, the commercial prospects are
excellent worldwide especially in North America, Europe and Asia where similar
biotechnology companies, with similar product portfolio`s have significant
values.
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Date: 28/06/2005 04:46:04 PM
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