Disposal
03 Diciembre 2003 - 9:15AM
UK Regulatory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3 December 2003
SCIPHER PLC
Scipher sells 3D Sound business valued at US$6.4 million
The technology development and licensing company, Scipher plc ("Scipher"), is
pleased to announce that it has today completed the sale of its 3D Sound
business to Creative Technology Ltd. ("Creative") (Nasdaq: CREAF), the
worldwide leader in digital entertainment products for PC users.
Creative has acquired the business and assets of Scipher's 3D Sound business,
Sensaura, including the intellectual property and commercial agreements
relating to the business.
Creative paid cash on completion of $5.6 million and, in addition, Scipher has
retained the outstanding trade debtors of $US0.8 million, valuing the Sensaura
business at US$6.4 million. The proceeds of the disposal will be used to
strengthen Scipher's balance sheet.
Dr Rudolph Burger, Chief Executive Officer of Scipher said: "The sale of
Sensaura demonstrates Scipher's ability to create value from commercialising
IP, either through licensing or the development of IP-protected businesses
which are then spun out or sold."
Scipher was advised by Regent Associates, the leading European M&A advisory
firm focusing exclusively on technology, media and telecoms.
Scipher also announces that it will publish its interim results for the six
months ended 30 September 2003 on Wednesday 17 December 2003.
Enquiries
Financial Dynamics:
James Melville-Ross Tel: 020 7831 3113
Juliet Clarke Tel: 020 7831 3113
Scipher plc:
Dr Ruldolph Burger, CEO Tel: 020 8848 6555
Michael Kendon Tel: 020 8848 6444
About Scipher
Scipher is a technology development and licensing company that delivers value
from IP in two principal ways:
* Product licensing and sale - commercialising Scipher-owned technology in
high growth markets through licensing or the sale of developed products
* Patent Licensing - building on Scipher's extensive experience on IP
management to create value for clients by exploiting their IP assets
through licensing.
Scipher's portfolio of advanced technology products and know-how covers the
markets for Displays, Secure Identification, Communications, and Sensors.
Approximately half of Scipher's revenues are earned outside the UK in
approximately 50 countries.
Scipher is backed by more than 70 years in advanced R&D, including developments
of such historic importance as stereo recording, television broadcasting and
the medical CT scanner, which in 1979 won a Nobel Prize for its inventor. For
more information on Scipher, visit the website: www.scipher.com
END