Cambridge Consultants - Encouraging Signs in UK Technology Markets

8 March 2004 This week sees the second successful flotation on the UK hi-tech market in as many weeks. Ark Therapeutics Group plc is the first biotech company to list on the London Stock Exchange for a number of years. Cambridge Consultants Ltd's (CCL) IPO team wrote the independent Expert's Report which formed part of Ark's listing prospectus addressing the merits of Ark's products, aspects of its business plan and associated risks.

Ark is an emerging healthcare company with a product already in hospitals for the treatment of leg ulcers (Kerraboot®), with three further lead products including novel gene-based therapies, in late stage clinical development. The company has a complex portfolio of both product and device, an unusual mix for today's healthcare companies, and focuses on specialist medicines in areas where there are high unmet clinical needs.

CCL's team therefore needed to cover medical devices for woundcare through to the application of gene therapy in oncology. 

Ark's listing follows hot on the heels of Cambridge Silicon Radio (CSR plc) which floated last week, a spin-off of CCL.

"Glimmers of hope are finally appearing in the European technology market following Ark's announcement," said Dr Monika Green, leader of CCL's healthcare consulting arm. "We have seen a rise in confidence across the technology sector, and now we are seeing it in Biotech which has been particularly subdued over the last couple of years," she continued.

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Notes to editors:
Cambridge Consultants Limited (CCL) designs and develops innovative new products, processes and systems. The organisation enables clients to turn business opportunities into commercial successes, whether launching first-to-market products, or expanding existing markets through the introduction of new technologies. With a team of over 200 engineers and scientists, CCL is able to offer solutions across a diverse range of industries including healthcare, telecommunications, industrial and consumer products, automotive and aerospace. Operating from purpose-built laboratories on the Cambridge Science Park, CCL works for multinationals and small companies alike.

CCL's specialist IPO team offers systems, processes and individuals with the levels of knowledge necessary to distil the quantity of complex information gathered during the course of the due diligence procedure into an independent report which forms part of the prospectus for certain scientific research-based companies.

For further information, please contact:

Claire Gale
Cambridge Consultants Ltd
Tel: 01223 420024
Claire.Gale@CambridgeConsultants.com 

www.CambridgeConsultants.com