We are pleased to announce that our long time advisor Tristone Partners has been voted the 2009 UK Niche Energy Advisory Firm of the Year...


ACQ Finance Magazine in house panel and close to 2800 industry peers who voted for the 2009 awards have named TriStone Partners the 2009 UK Niche Energy Advisory Firm of the Year.
ACQ Country Award for Achievement is considered to be one of the most important prizes for recipients, reflecting the professional recognition of both industry peers and commentators. It recognizes the organizations and advisers that have performed to exceptional levels, particularly during the most difficult period that the global economy has experienced for decades.

William Saarbach, co-founder of TriStone Partners said – “We thank ACQ-Acquisition Finance Magazine and all our industry peers. This award reflects TriStone Partners successes in a difficult environment, and validates our long standing model based on unaltered industry focus and relentless service to a limited number of key operators in the European Energy and Industrial Services sectors”.

Press release

Bonesupport gains its second EU product approval

The medical technology company Bonesupport has received EU approval for Cerament™ Bone Void Filler. The product is a ceramic bone substitute primarily used for the treatment of osteoporotic fractures. Bonesupport is now launching an aggressive marketing campaign targeting selected markets within the EU. This is Bonesupport's second EU approval

Press release

Vencorp is pleased to co-sponsor the 8th MedTech Investing Europe Conference, 12th February & 13th February, 2009 in EPFL Lausanne, Switzerland.

MTI Europe is the leading European event for bringing together investors and innovators from around the world.

http://www.campdenconferences.com/default.asp?page=conference&conference.id=18&cpid=96&name=Partners+%26+Sponsors

Injectable bone substitute receives EU approval for treatment of vertebral fractures

Cerament™ Spine Support, key product of medical technology company Bonesupport, has received EU approval for treatment of vertebral fractures in patients with osteoporosis. The approval gives Bonesupport the impetus to enter the major European markets. The company is already active in the USA.

”The EU approval means a major breakthrough for Bonesupport in the European market. We are preparing launches in several markets and have already established sales in the USA. The approval has therefore come at a very opportune moment”, explains Fredrik Lindberg, CEO of Bonesupport.

Vertebral compression fractures are a worldwide problem. There are 700 000 annually in the US, 500 000 in Japan, and 350 000 in Europe. In the European Union, vertebral fractures are responsible of 8% of the hospital costs of all osteoporotic fractures with an estimated yearly expense of 377 €M.
The MIVCF (minimally invasive vertebral compression fracture) treatment market for 2008 is estimated to €M 109.7 comprising France, Germany, Italy and UK.

In an initial stage the approval applies to use of the injectable bone substitute for treatment of vertebral fractures primarily in patients with osteoporosis. Bonesupport foresees approval of its other product Cerament™ Bone Void Filler in the coming months.

“I believe I speak for the majority of my colleagues in welcoming the CE Mark clearance for a biological material alternative for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures and vertebral augmentation procedures. Options have been very limited and with the growing number and complexity of patients requiring treatment the opportunity to use a biological material is very exciting”, said Professor Johannes Hierholzer, Chefarzt der Diagnostischen und Interventionelle Radiologie, Klinikum Ernst von Bergmann gemeinnützige GmbH., Potsdam, Germany.

full press release at www.bonesupport.com

BONESUPPORT acquires Ultrazonix and implements SEK 122 million ($20 mill; €13 mill) new share issue

The medical device company Bonesupport has acquired Ultrazonix, a medical technology company which has developed a new ultrasound based method for treatment of herniated discs. At the same time Bonesupport is implementing a new share issue of SEK 122 million to guarantee continued expansion. The acquisition allows Bonesupport to broaden its product offering and strengthen its position in the market for treatment of spinal disorders.

”Through the acquisition of Ultrazonix we are bringing in a new and exciting technology platform which means that we will be able to treat herniated discs alongside our existing products for treatment of vertebral compression fractures,spine surgery and different orthopaedic conditions. This will give our operation a broader base and allow us to focus even more on the treatment of painful but very common spine disorders”, comments Fredrik Lindberg, CEO of Bonesupport.

”The deal with Bonesupport is a very good fit for Ultrazonix. We will now be able to draw on Bonesupport’s international contact network and existing channels to expand the sales of our products”, says Eugen Steiner, Chairman of Ultrazonix.

The Ultrazonix product is intended for high intensity focused ultrasound treatment of chronic back pain caused by herniated discs. The product is CE marked and has FDA clearance in the United States. The US and European market for this product amounts to about 600 million euros.

There are several positive synergies between Bonesupport and Ultrazonix. Both companies see the EU and North America as their prioritised markets. They have the same target groups, i.e. spinal surgeons, neurosurgeons, orthopaedic specialists, radiologists and anaesthesiologists. The merger will enable Bonesupport to broaden its product offering and market the products through its existing and developing distribution and marketing channels. The acquisition of Ultrazonix is being financed through a directed new share issue to existing Ultrazonix owners.

New share issue of SEK 122 million
Bonesupport will also implement a new share issue of approx. SEK 122 million (€ 13 million) for subscription by existing as well as new owners. The capital infusion will primarily be used for marketing initiatives and an extensive clinical programme in advance of planned product launches within EU and selected markets such as the US and Canada. The new share issue is one of the largest in the Swedish healthcare sector during 2008.

”Bonesupport has major potential and we want to use the new share issue to accelerate commercialisation of our operation and guarantee our continued expansion”, says Michael Pålsson, Chairman of Bonesupport.

Through the new share issue, venture capital companies HealthCap, Stockholm and NBGI Ventures, London will increase their holdings in Bonesupport. Other major stakeholders include Teknoinvest, FERD Venture, Vencorp Partners, Innovationskapital and Teknoseed.

About Ultrazonix
Ultrazonix is a medical technology company established in 2001. The company has developed an ultrasound based method for treatment of herniated discs. The method is a minimally invasive intervention where an ultrasound probe is placed on the surface of the intervertrebral disc surface whereupon focused ultrasound is applied and the gelatinous disc proteins coagulate. Coagulation reduces the hydrophilic properties of the proteins which results in shrinkage of the disc and relief of the patient’s pain. The Ultrazonix method replaces conventional surgery, currently the most common way to treat a herniated disc. The result is the same, but the treatment is simpler and the patient recovers more quickly.

About Bonesupport
BONESUPPORT AB is an innovative Swedish medical technology company, certified under ISO 13485, which focuses on development of ceramic, injectable bone substitutes for treatment e.g. of osteoporotic fractures. Established in 1999, BONESUPPORT AB today has 24 employees and is based at the Ideon Science Park in Lund, Sweden. The company has subsidiaries in the USA, where sales started late last year, and in Germany.
Bonesupport has applied for EU approval of its key product CERAMENT™ SPINE SUPPORT for treatment of spinal fractures in patients with osteoporosis. Approval is expected in the autumn of 2008. The company has also applied for EU approval of its second product CERAMENT™ BONE VOID FILLER.
Market potential for the injectable bone filler CERAMENT™ is large world-wide. The global orthopaedic market generates billion dollar sales each year and within five years the potential market for treatment of e.g. spinal fractures is estimated to exceed 2 billion dollars in the US alone. Growth is estimated at about 50 percent annually.

Following a long tradition of friendship and partnership with Russia, Vencorp Partners was for the fourth time in a row one of the sponsor of the chess Moscow Aeroflot Open. The tournament reached an extremely high level and was won by the young GrandMaster Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia. Vencorp’s Founding Partner B. Kouatly was present at the opening and closing ceremonies.

Vencorp Partners has lead a B recap funding round in MKL System SAS, a leading French video analytics software company which focuses on providing unique digital video and still picture analysis solutions to large corporate and institutional clients active in the infrastructure, transportation, industrial, FMCG and retail sectors, as well as Governments and public entities.

MKL System will use the additional funding for new product development and to further accelerate the commercialisation of its established software products and solutions.

MKL System video analytics solution transforms video surveillance into a dynamic, real-time intelligent system with multiple applications in the security, access control and vehicle and people flow monitoring in virtually any environment. MKL System offers the industry’s best event detection accuracy and far fewer false alarms than traditional systems, optimising required human response and resources.

MKL System clients include large infrastructure operators, such as Aéroports de Paris (ADP), Government and Public Agencies. MKL System unique approach to video analytics also allowed the company to develop digital video and pictures based business process improvement software tools used by some of the World’s largest merchandising and FMCG groups.

William Saarbach, who lead the transaction for Vencorp Partners, said: “While we were originally attracted to the rapidly growing space of digital video analytics, we turned down a number of investment opportunities in companies focused exclusively in the security and monitoring segments. Ultimately, we identified unique competitive advantages in MKL System’s versatile and genuinely superior technology, and in the innovative approach of an accomplished management team allowing the company to also make inroads into non-exclusively security related areas, including merchandising, retail, industrial processes and electronic media. We now look forward to working with MKL System team on multiplying market opportunities and further enhancing the company’s leadership in these growing market segments.”

Blaise Javet, Founding Partner at Vencorp Partner said: “we are extremely pleased to contribute through Vencorp’s network to the success of a very promising technology.”

Vencorp Partners is pleased to communicate that for the third year in a row, Vencorp was one of the sponsor contributing to the success of one the major chess events in Russia: the Moscow Aeroflot Open.

Vencorp's Founding Partner Bachar Kouatly was present and, as an ex-International Grand Master, followed with great interest many of the games during the tournament.

At the closing ceremony, the long time Vencorp's Advisory Board member, chess ex-world champion Anatoly Karpov was one of the well known personalities present along with the chief organizer A. Bakh and representatives of russian authorities.

BONESUPPORT strengthens management team for international expansion (...) is another important step in our ambition to strengthen our organisation in preparation for the impending U.S. launch of our first product, Cerament™| Bone Void Filler says CEO...
for full press release http://www.bonesupport.com

The medical technology company BONESUPPORT AB in Lund, which develops synthetic, injectable ceramic bone substitute, has received SEK 135 million (approx. USD 19 mios) from a new share issue. The new investors include the venture capital companies HealthCap of Stockholm and NBGI Ventures of London which will join existing owners, including, Innovationskapital, Teknoinvest, FERD Venture and Vencorp Partners. BONESUPPORT focuses on developing products based on injectable ceramic bone substitute mainly for the treatment of bone defects and osteoporosis. The market for bone graft material is estimated at around USD 2 billion with an annual increase of over 25 per cent. BONESUPPORT’s synthetic bone substitute CERAMENT™|BONE VOID FILLER has been approved by the FDA for launch on the US market. The product is aimed at the spinal fusion segment as well as broader orthopaedic applications. The US launch is scheduled for the end of 2006, following which the product will be launched in Europe and Asia. For the complete press release: http://www.bonesupport.com

Participation in a new Institutionnal round of financing for a portfolio Medical company.

Blue Oak Capital will be the exclusive distributor of Stanford Group Company's institutional research to clients primarily in Europe and Asia through its international sales force. 
For the complete press release: http://www.blueoakcapital.com/int.php?content=us

Vencorp increased its participation in a Alternative Asset Management Company in London (UK).

Sweden, Malmö: Vencorp Senior Partners signed the definitive Share Purchase Agreement with the founders of Bone Support and Ultrazonix, to acquire a stake in these two companies. Vencorp will manage this investment with the founders along existing investors Teknoinvest, Innkap, Ferd, Industrifonden and Medicon Valley.

London: Vencorp consolidated its position, participating to the B round financing of BlueOak Capital, an independent London based financial research company regulated by the FSA.

Lisbon: Vencorp officialy received the final authorisation of the regulatory Body (CMVM) to establish a VC firm in Portugal.

Sweden: Vencorp Partners signed a MoU outlining the terms of a forthcoming investment in two Swedish companies through its European regulated vehicle, Vencorp Sicar. Bone Support is dedicated to the development of injectable bone-like materials based on biocompatible synthetic ceramics and Ultrazonix is developing non invasive ultrasound treatment methods for back pain and disc herniation.

Vencorp Founding Partner B. Javet signs a MoU with Professor Lars Lidgren.

Luxembourg: Vencorp established its inaugural European Fund for Institutional investors based around the theme of Ageing Population.