• Syscore GmbH is buying 100% of the company’s equity
• Focus on further growth and new job creation
• New Chief Executive Officer
• Continuation of the successful cooperation with the German Heart Centre, Berlin
• Company in the growth sector medical technology to remain in Berlin

Berlin, 11 October 2006.Syscore GmbH, a company belonging to the family office of Sylvia Ströher, makes long-term investments in the medical technology sector. An agreement was reached today with the existing shareholders on the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Berlin Heart AG. Since its foundation ten years ago, Berlin Heart has developed successfully and achieved profitability with the support of its venture capital investors.

Berlin Heart is the leader on the market for ventricular assist devices, in which innovative high-tech systems for mechanical cardiac support are developed and sold. “With Syscore as our long-term investor we will be able to accelerate our growth, particularly for our flagship products EXCOR® and INCOR®. Specifically, this new investor means that we will be able to build on our position in the US market, where we have been present since 2005”, stated the new CEO, Dr. Rolf Käse, a recognised sector expert whose recruitment represents a considerable gain for the management team at Berlin Heart. Syscore will provide additional capital to implement the ambitious business plan.

The successful cooperation is to be expanded with the German Heart Centre (Deutsches Herzzentrum) under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Roland Hetzer, who will continue to support Berlin Heart with a seat on the company’s Advisory Board. As an Initial Public Offering is not planned, the company will change its legal structure from an AG to a GmbH as part of the transaction, enabling a faster and more flexible response to market developments.

Syscore was advised on the transaction by Sal. Oppenheim. The parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The company’s registered offices will remain in Berlin.

Berlin Heart AG is the European market leader for cardiac support systems, and manufactures pumps, cannulas and external components for internal and external use to stabilise cardiac activity in acutely ill patients. The company makes technologically advanced products and therefore constitutes an important part of the medical technology growth sector in Berlin. The company employs over 130 staff and had revenues of nearly €15 million in 2005. Further product information is available from the company website: www.berlinheart.de.

Media contact:

For Berlin Heart AG:
Klaus Würtenberger
Berlin Heart AG
+49 (0)30 8187 2760
+49 (0)173 629 0800
wuertenberger@berlinheart.de

For Syscore GmbH:
Helmut Kranzmaier
CNC Communications & Network Consulting AG
+49 (0)30 52002 6100
+49 (0)172 8996267
Helmut.Kranzmaier@cnc-communications.com