SPE.L Regulatory News (SPE)

31 May 2005 11:45

Embargoed Release: 12:45hrs 31 May 2005 SOPHEON PLC ("Sopheon" or "the Group") ISSUE OF EQUITY Sopheon plc, the international provider of software and services that improvethe financial return from innovation and product development investments, hastoday placed 4,347,826 ordinary shares at 23p per share to raise ‚£1 million(approximately before expenses). Application has been made for the new ordinaryshares to be admitted to trading on AIM and dealings are expected to commenceon 3 June 2005.These funds will increase the Group's cash resources at the endof May to over ‚£2 million, and will enable Sopheon to take timely advantage ofpossible new opportunities for business expansion.The commercial environment in the second quarter of 2005 is proving similar tothat in which Sopheon ended 2004, with activity levels high, potential dealsaccumulating, and a focus on achieving closure on targeted sales by period end.Meanwhile, the rapid evolution of the product life cycle management (PLM)market is increasing the range of potential alternatives available to Sopheonin its development and implementation of strategies for continued growth. Thisis underlined by the development of the Group's relationship with Microsoft andcomplementary high levels of interest from other partner candidates, inaddition to strong positive market reaction to the recent release of AccoladeVersion 6.0. Current or potential opportunities include new applications forAccolade, entry into new vertical markets, further expansion of sales channels,technology acquisitions and possible M&A activity. If and when good strategicopportunities are identified, the board believes that Sopheon must have theresources to act quickly, in order to optimize its growth prospects andposition itself for market leadership.Sopheon's Chairman, Barry Mence said:"With the new release of Accolade and our rapidly evolving strategicrelationships, we believe the time is right to strengthen our ability to actquickly and independently if the right opportunity arises."For further information contact:Barry Mence, Chairman Sopheon plc Tel : + 44 (0) 1483 685 735 Arif Karimjee, CFO Adam Reynolds Hansard Communications Tel : + 44 (0) 207 245 1100 Andrew Tan + 44 (0) 7957 203 685 Floor van Maaren Citigate First Financial Tel : + 31 (0) 205 754 010About SopheonSopheon (LSE:SPE) is an international provider of software and services thathelp organizations improve the business impact of product development. TheSopheon Accolade‚® product development system automates gate- or phase-basedproduct development (PD) processes and provides strategic decision support thatallows companies to improve innovation, cut product development spending wasteand shorten time to market. Sopheon is listed on the AIM market of the LondonStock Exchange and on the Euronext in the Netherlands. For more information,please visit www.sopheon.com. ENDSOPHEON PLC