François Schaller becomes Managing Director of L’AGEFI

At the end of a thorough process started in March 2008 and led by Credit Suisse, Genolier Swiss Medical Network (SIX: GSMN.SW) sold the majority of the capital of AGEFI SA to Alain Duménil, a French-Swiss financier and industrial. Alain Duménil acquires 51% of the company’s capital, with a call option on the remaining shares exercisable in 2011, after the implementation of a relaunching programme by the new shareholder, starting next spring. L’AGEFI was since 2006 the publishing division of AGEN Holding which became GSMN in June 2008 after refocusing its activities on Healthcare. The transaction values the publishing division of GSMN at around CHF 10 million and will positively impact the annual results of the company GSMN.

François Schaller, editor in chief of PME magazine and Private Banking since almost 10 years, will be elected as a Board member and will become Managing Director of L’Agefi, the publishing group editing the Swiss financial daily L’Agefi as well the magazines Evasion and Profil. The takeover project foresees the continuation of all activities of the Group, with a reinforcement of the existing team and a redesigned newspaper.

The Board of Director of GSMN is pleased with this solution, as it ensures the continuation of L’AGEFI and allows GSMN to focus its activities on Healthcare. This offer presented the best valuation of the company, while protecting the interests of the employees and co-workers of L’Agefi as well as the shareholders of GSMN. The Board wants to express its gratitude to all who allowed the outcome of this process as well as to the members of the former Board of Directors of L’Agefi, amongst which Claude Haegi, Managing Director, and Michael Schroeder. Raymond Loretan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of GSMN and Antoine Hubert, CEO of the Group GSMN, will represent the interests of Genolier Swiss Medical Network in the new Board of Directors of L’Agefi, next to Alain Duménil, Michel Rethoret and François Schaller.

L’Agefi will hold a press meeting tomorrow Wednesday 4 February 2009 at 10:30 am at the Royal Manotel in Geneva.

GSMN (Genolier Swiss Medical Network) AG is the leading private hospital network in the French speaking region of Switzerland (Romandie). Its growth strategy is focused on building a national network by acquiring clinics and restructuring their operations. GSMN’s main goal is on providing premium hospital care to Swiss and foreign patients. GSMN distinguishes itself over other healthcare providers on the basis of its quality of services, high brand value, congenial working environment and an experienced and entrepreneurial management team. Presently, GSMN has 4 fully owned private hospitals in its portfolio with 277 operating beds and more than 200 additional licensed beds for organic growth. Additionally, GSMN has a management contract with Centre Médico-Chirurgical des Eaux-Vives (CMEV), an out-patient consult and oncology centre in Geneva. In 2008, GSMN will realise a turnover of approximately CHF 130 million. The Group is listed on the Main Segment of the SIX Swiss Exchange (GSMN.SW).

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