Ad-hoc | 10 August 2010 06:26
NEW VALUE AG / Miscellaneous
10.08.2010 06:26
Dissemination of a Adhoc News, transmitted by
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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SIX Swiss Exchange quoted investment company New Value AG (SIX: NEWN)
invests in Sensimed S.A., Lausanne. Sensimed has developed a
technologically revolutionary solution for the continuous monitoring of
fluctuations in intra-ocular pressure improving the management of related
diseases such as glaucoma. In order to finance the company's future growth,
New Value invests CHF 3.5 million of equity.
Sensimed was founded in 2003 as a spin-off of EPFL and has its principal
focus on design, development, and commercialization of integrated
micro-systems for medical devices. The company's first approved product
SENSIMED Triggerfish(R) allows a continuous monitoring of the intra-ocular
pressure, which is one of the main risk factors for the development of
glaucoma.
About 1-2% of the population are affected by glaucoma disease, which grows
with age. Glaucoma is a slowly progressing, irreversible disease leading to
damage on the optic nerve and to blindness, unless it is adequately
treated. Early and adequate treatment is therefore crucial for any patient
affected by glaucoma. Continuous monitoring of the intra-ocular pressure
provides the ophthalmologist with information relevant for the accurate
adjustment of the therapy and thus closes an existing gap in glaucoma
diagnostic. SENSIMED Triggerfish(R) is the first solution to allow the
monitoring of intra-ocular pressure during 24 hours and to provide
information on pressure fluctuations at night.
The solution is non-invasive and has obtained CE approval, allowing the
company to launch the product in selected target markets. The company has
received several awards like e.g. R&D 100 Award 2010, CTI Medtech Award,
Red Herring 100 Europe Award and the award of the DeVigier foundation.
New Value invests CHF 3.5 million by participating in this series B
financing round. The funds invested will be used to achieve approval in the
US and in Asian countries, to commercialize the device in selected
geographies, to run post-marketing application trials and to fund ongoing
operations. One important objective is to obtain reimbursement of the
treatment with SENSIMED Triggerfish(R) from health insurances in selected
countries.
Among the existing investors of Sensimed are Wellington Partners, Vinci
Capital and BlueOcean Ventures who closed the first part of the series B
financing round with CHF 10 million in Mai 2010. In addition, strategic and
private investors joined. New Value considers the investment in the current
stage of the company as attractive since technological risks are estimated
low and market potential of the solution seems to be high. Furthermore, the
company's management and board of directors have great experience in the
field of medical technology and a number of key opinion leaders in glaucoma
research could be convinced of SENSIMED Triggerfish(R). Security and
tolerability of the solution could already be proven in clinical studies.
Peter Letter, head of investment management at New Value, emphasizes the
excellent accordance of the investment in Sensimed with New Value's
sustainable investment approach: 'SENSIMED Triggerfish(R) fulfills an
urgent unmet medical need without harming the patient and can contribute to
prevent patients from going blind. This does not only reduce the burden to
the social security systems, but also helps to maintain the quality of life
of people affected by glaucoma. Sensimed is an excellent example how
leading-edge Swiss technology does address a worldwide market potential.'
Information about New Value AG
New Value, listed at the SIX Swiss Exchange, invests directly in promising
private companies in Switzerland and neighbouring countries with
above-average market and growth potential. As an investment company, New
Value promotes innovative business models with venture capital and
accompanies those to market success. The portfolio covers companies of
different stages of development, starting with the market introduction
phase up to medium-sized enterprises with stable profits. A broad
investment approach is deliberately followed regarding industry sectors.
The portfolio contains companies active in cleantech and healthcare. New
Value assigns great value to ethical business concepts and good corporate
governance while selecting their portfolio companies. Criteria such as
meaningfulness, social responsibility and ecological sustainability are
considered by New Value as decisive competitive advantages, which affect
and enhance the quality of products and services offered and thus,
facilitate an above average increase of value potential. Since the
formation of New Value, EPS Value Plus AG, Zurich, has served as investment
manager.
10.08.2010 Ad hoc announcement, Financial News and Press Release distributed by DGAP.
Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de
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Language: English
Company: NEW VALUE AG
Bodmerstrasse 9
8027 Zürich
Schweiz
Phone: +41-43-344 38 38
Fax: +41-43-344 38 39
E-mail: info@newvalue.ch
Internet: www.newvalue.ch
ISIN: CH0010819867
Swiss Security Number: 552932
Listed: Freiverkehr in München, Düsseldorf, Berlin,
Stuttgart; Open Market in Frankfurt; Foreign
Exchange(s) SIX
End of News DGAP News-Service
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