Bank Irel13.375 Regulatory News (BOI)

15 Sep 2006 07:55

Biotrace International PLC15 September 2006 15 September 2006 STATEMENT REGARDING RECENT PRESS SPECULATION The Board of Biotrace International PLC (the "Company") notes the recent pressspeculation regarding a potential offer for the Company and confirms that it hasreceived a number of preliminary approaches, which may or may not lead to anoffer being made for the Company. A further announcement will be made in due course. Enquiries: Telephone Biotrace International plc +44 (0)1656 641 400Ian Johnson Numis Securities Limited +44 (0)20 7776 1500Michael MeadeBruce Garrow Dealing disclosure requirements Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the"Code"), if any person is, or becomes, "interested" (directly or indirectly) in1% or more of any class of "relevant securities" of the Company, all "dealings"in any "relevant securities" of the Company (including by means of an option inrespect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such "relevant securities") mustbe publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30pm (London time) on the Londonbusiness day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirementwill continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is declared,unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on whichthe "offer period" otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuantto an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an "interest" in "relevant securities" of the Company, they will be deemed to be asingle person for the purpose of Rule 8.3. Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all "dealings" in "relevantsecurities" of the Company by an offeror or the Company, or by any of theirrespective "associates", must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon (Londontime) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose "relevantsecurities" "dealings" should be disclosed, and the number of such securities inissue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website atwww.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk. "Interests in securities" arise, in summary, when a person has a long economicexposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price ofsecurities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an "interest" byvirtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option inrespect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on thePanel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are requiredto disclose a "dealing" under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange