Healthcare Enterprise Group market a product called "Ebiox" which is one of a very few that can kill most bacteria including the MRSA superbug. HCEG has contracts with some NHS hospitals at present, but given the recent and current news and public attention, HCEG should be a good bet for a steady rise as more places seek to cut the number of casualties from this infection. HCEG also market abroad in USA, so the potential market for this unique product is massive indeed.

Well worth a punt IMHO

Check it out for yourself

A nice 1 million buy has just gone through.

What is MRSA?
Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium often found in 20-30% of the noses of normal healthy people and is also commonly found on people's skin. Most strains of this bacterium are sensitive to many antibiotics and infections can be effectively treated. Staphylococcus aureus which are resistant to an antibiotic called methicillin are referred to as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA. Many commonly prescribed antibiotics are not effective against these bacteria. Some MRSA strains occur in epidemics, indicated by an 'E' before MRSA eg EMRSA-16, EMRSA-3 and may be distinguished from others by a number of special laboratory techniques.

How is spread of MRSA prevented?
Scrupulous handwashing by hospital staff before and after contact with patients and before any procedure, is the single most important infection control measure. It is most likely to prevent spread of MRSA from one patient to another, or from patient to member of staff who may subsequently pass the bacterium on to other patients. Patients with MRSA should be physically isolated in a single room with the door remaining closed and the room regularly damp dusted, or they should be nursed in a special ward away from other non-infected patients. The patient's notes should be clearly labelled 'MRSA' so that this type of accommodation is provided if and when they are admitted to hospital at any time in the future. It is important that the clinician looking after the patient in hospital notifies the general practitioner. If this has not already been done, then the patient or their family should mention to their general practitioner that they are carrying MRSA. This information should also be passed to any hospital to which the patient may be admitted in the future to ensure physical separation or isolation immediately on admission and hence reduce the possibility of spread to others. The use of antibiotics such as those applied inside the nose and bathing procedures previously described, will also help to reduce the risk of spread. Finally, when such a patient is discharged from hospital, their room should be comprehensively cleaned and all linen and other clinical waste disposed of in special bags.

A 5.2 million buy has just shown up!

Nice one

Buys v sells, 8.4 million v 4.4 million

USA approval read link for RNShttp://www.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200407260700021800B.html

yep, more good news.

NS Number:1800B
Healthcare Enterprise Group PLC
26 July 2004


Healthcare Enterprise Group plc

Ebiox surface cleaning product passes tests required for US Environment
Protection Agency approval

Healthcare Enterprise Group PLC ("HCEG"), the healthcare products and services
company, announces that its Trionic Plus product from the Ebiox family of
products has passed tests required for US Environment Protection Agency (EPA).
EPA approval will allow the product to be offered to US hospitals and related
facilities and for industrial antimicrobial and other cleaning uses in the US.

Trionic Plus is a high power "terminal" disinfectant proven to be effective at
combating MRSA and other pathogens. HCEG believes that the product offers
significant safety advantages over all other commonly used disinfectants and
does not contain alcohol, chlorine or other irritating vapours.

Trionic Plus contains soil lifting agents and biocides, which allow removal of
soils and microbes down to the molecular level. It removes the invisible
surface biofilms, which are believed to provide a rich breeding ground for the
development of resistant bacteria.

For high-risk contaminated areas Trionic Plus provides a fast-kill solution for
bacteria on hygienic surfaces such as floors, walls, tables, beds and public
access areas. Unlike other commonly used surface cleaners, Trionic Plus works
by oxidation rather than toxification. This means that there is no need to
rotate disinfectants because there is no chance of bacterial resistance
developing.

HCEG is considering a range of US marketing and distribution options for Trionic
Plus, together with similar strategies for its surgical instrument cleaner
range, which received EPA approval in March.

Stuart Bruck, Chairman, Healthcare Enterprise Group PLC, commented:

"The US represents over half of the world's healthcare economy, with an annual
expenditure in excess of US$1.7 trillion and is a market with which we are
familiar. The sheer size of the market means entry into the US represents an
exciting opportunity for the Ebiox product range.

Since the US tends to lead in the adoption of new healthcare technologies, we
are confident that the obvious benefits these products have over existing
alcohol or bleach disinfectants will result in active product investigation and
assessment by US hospitals and other healthcare facilities."

26 July 2004

Nice opening this morning!

Monday blues.a great start to the week

Healthcare Enterprise Group PLC

AGM Statement


Stuart Bruck, Chairman of Healthcare Enterprise Group PLC ('HCEG'), the
healthcare products and services company, made the following statement at
today's Annual General Meeting:


'The start of the current year has seen continued progress with respect to
trading in our core products distribution business and further important
developments from Ebiox, Optiscope and our healthcare advisory business.


'Having completed the acquisition of First Aid UK in June, we are well advanced
with its integration into our existing healthcare products business. As part of
this process we have signed the lease for a 58,000 sq. ft. facility in
Warrington, which will enable us to consolidate our trading operation at one
facility in the UK, thereby achieving economies of scale and reductions in the
overall cost base. In addition, this will facilitate better cross selling of
product to the various customer groupings. We have also strengthened the
management team with the appointment of a Director of Marketing, a Director of
Sales, a new Managing Director for the SAFA-IPS business incorporating First Aid
UK and a Director of Operations to manage and integrate the combined businesses.


'The Company continue to explore additional acquisition opportunities in the
occupational healthcare and First Aid sector that would easily bolt on to the
existing platform.


'Significantly, given the widespread concern over the increase in Hospital
Acquired Infections and MRSA in particular, we continue to rollout the Ebiox
range of decontamination products with significant new product development.


'In an exciting development last week, we announced further test results for
Ebiox's hand hygiene products. NHS laboratory test results have now proven that
the handrub passes EU requirements. In these tests the Ebiox handrub has been
proven to reduce harmful bacteria within 30 seconds. We believe the Esense
handrub and handwash are the first non-alcohol hand hygiene products, which meet
EU standards and, as such, are truly the next-generation of hand cleaners. Not
only are these faster acting against MRSA than alcohol based products, but they
are also more user friendly, which should encourage better hand hygiene
practices in hospitals.


'Another significant announcement made last week related to our taking a
controlling stake in Ebiox Ltd. This will better enable us to make the kind of
investment in human and financial resources appropriate to develop this
important product platform.


'Earlier today we announced that the Ebiox surface cleaner, Trionic Plus has
passed tests required for EPA approval. EPA approval will allow the product to
be marketed in the US, the single largest market in the world for these
products. We are currently reviewing marketing and distribution possibilities
for the high power 'terminal' disinfectant. Trionic Plus oxidation rather than
toxification, which means that no resistant bacteria can develop and it's a
non-alcohol, non-chlorine product, unlike other commonly used disinfectants so
has significant safety advantages.


'In the fight against Hospital Acquired Infections, the NHS has been developing
a rapid review process as part of its 'Winning Ways' strategy. We have called
on the NHS to go one step further in the fight against Hospital Acquired
Infections by adopting next-generation products such as the Ebiox range.
Indeed, we are actively campaigning for a revision of NHS protocols in this
respect and we intend to hold an R & D event in September to explore these
issues further.


'Ebiox is just one of a number of new technologies being introduced by
Healthcare Enterprise Group. A parallel focus for us is Optiscope Technologies
Ltd a proprietary disposable rigid endoscope developer. Earlier this month we
announced the acquisition of a controlling interest in this company. Since it is
patented we believe Optiscope is the only disposable endoscope being developed,
with significant cost and hygiene advantages. We aim to launch Optiscope
towards the end of next year and are already in early stage discussions with
parties interested in licensing or distributing the product.


'To round out the picture, our healthcare advisory business, headquartered in
the US, is assisting the Company with the vital market research services
required to roll out our products internationally, as well as providing a
growing quantity of fee-based services to companies not competitive with HCEG.


'Taking all of this into consideration, I believe that HCEG is in excellent
shape and well positioned for the coming year. The directors look forward to
the year with optimism.'


26 July 2004


Enquiries:

Healthcare Enterprise Group PLC Tel: 020 7351 7500

Stuart Bruck, Executive Chairman

Gordon Wood, Chief Operating Officer

College Hill Tel: 020 7457 2020

Nicholas Nelson / Corinna Dorward


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

Not a good start today. Why?

This was posted on AFX yesterday, I'd say its positive. I'm ignoring the dip this am;


Healthcare Enterprise optimistic about FY; seeks acquisitions ( )
LONDON (AFX) - Healthcare Enterprise Group PLC said it is optimistic about

the current year after seeing continued progress in its core product distribution unit and important developments in other businesses.
The company also said it continues to explore acquisition opportunities in the occupational healthcare and first aid sectors.

What is the difference between HCEG and HCEW, does anyone know. Is this the warrant price.

This morning RNS announcement:

LPMCC, a major shareholder, granted 110,392, 544 options over shares and warrants to 4 directors.
LPMCC is owned by Stuart Brook (EC) and Michael Low (CEO) and owns 22% of HCEG.
Stuart Brook owns 80%, Michael Low 20% of London Pacific Development (LLC) which which owns 96.5% LPMCC.
Could this be the reason for the drop in price today?

Hotrott, You are correct in your assumption, HCEW does indeed relate to the warrant price.

Angi, I feel it probably has more to do with the predicted time scale of forthcoming events, i.e. punters who were after the quick return jumping ship, still a good long term punt imho.

I thought HCEW was thanks for the confirmation Loadsadosh.

A big 10,000,000 buy this afternoon !!

Interesting article on the BBC News website. A watchdog (the National Patient SafetyAgency) has recommended that hospitals provide hand gel beside patients beds to encourage staff to wash their hands in an effort to beat MRSA. This looks like a good opportunity for HCEG to get sales of Ebiox rolling.

See the full article here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3614058.stm

Anounced on the TV news today, following a trial in several hospitals with good results, the hand gel bottle will be placed at the bed of each patient to be used by Doctors and nurses. This scheme will be rolled out nationwide and is expected to reduce deaths by 450 a year. I hope!!- I hope they are using the gel made by HCEG but why isn't the company announcing any trading update?