Press Release: BAF Spectrum takes equity stake in HealthTrends Medical Investments

Singapore, March 18, 2008 – BAF Spectrum Pte Ltd, a leading Singapore-based seed investment fund, today announced its SGD $1 million investment into HealthTrends Medical Investments Pte Ltd (HTMI). This move, the first healthcare investment by BAF Spectrum, underpins the investment group’s confidence in the growing and recession-resilient healthcare business in Singapore as well as in the regional markets.

Supported by entrepreneurial medical doctors and investors, HTMI is a regional healthcare enterprise providing medical and wellness care to both the sick and the healthy. This is achieved through an integrative and holistic platform comprising a network of up to 100 medical and specialist clinics, aesthetics and wellness centers in Singapore and the neighboring countries.

Investment lead and Managing Director of BAF Spectrum, Mr. Francis Chua Seng Kiat, added: “The growing concern with wellness and healthy lifestyles, coupled with an ageing population presents us with this great opportunity to further enhance Singapore’s reputation as a world class medical hub. Our investment in HTMI will also assist its current efforts to expand its medical expertise into the region.”

“BAF Spectrum has already added much value to our group by spearheading potential partnerships with other medical experts and innovative healthcare companies”, said Dr. Billy Hardie, Founder and CEO of HTMI.

Mr. Chua added: “As an example, we are currently working to sign up HTMI as a partner in Asia for a therapeutic cancer vaccine which has recently carried out a successful phase two clinical trial on advanced colorectal cancer patients in Singapore”.

Dr Hardie added, “The trends of medical care have changed. As a practicing doctor for more than 15 years, I notice that patients today not only expect their doctors to treat and prevent chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, but also to guide them to achieve optimum health and vitality in life. HTMI aims to deliver integrative medical diagnostics and treatment to both local and foreign patients through our regional alliances with established centers of medical excellence”.

To date, BAF Spectrum has invested and committed more than SGD $6 million in six projects in Singapore, India and China.

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About HealthTrends Medical Investments Pte Ltd (HTMI):
HealthTrends (“HTMI”) is a regional Medi-lifestyle healthcare enterprise providing medical and wellness care to both the sick and healthy through an integrative medical-centric platform in Singapore and the neighboring countries.

The core segments of HTMI’s integrative healthcare services and products include:

Primary Medical Care, with emphasis on the prevention and treatment of chronic and degenerative diseases like diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, weight management, arthritis, asthma and allergies.