Rex Bionics : Crispin Simon joins Rex Bionics as CEO

For immediate release                                                                                                                

Rex Bionics plc

("Rex Bionics" or the "Company")

Crispin Simon joins Rex Bionics as Chief Executive Officer

8 October 2014 Rex Bionics plc (AIM: RXB), the developer and manufacturer of REX products: hands-free robotic exoskeletons for use by wheelchair users, is pleased to announce that Crispin Simon has now joined the Company as Chief Executive Officer.  As announced on 5 August 2014, Jeremy Curnock Cook has also moved to become Deputy Chairman.

Crispin Simon has a 25-year track record in industry, predominantly in the commercialisation of Medical Technology products. Following a career which included NM Rothschild, McKinsey, Rexam and Smith & Nephew, where he was latterly President of the Endoscopy Division, Crispin was Chief Executive of Biocompatibles International Plc ("Biocompatibles") until its sale to BTG Plc in early 2011.  At Biocompatibles, he led a team that developed three medical products businesses: the Cardiovascular Stent business, sold to Abbott Laboratories Inc for £145 million; the Contact Lens business, sold to Cooper Industries Inc for £80 million and the Drug-eluting Bead business, which was sold as part of the disposal of the whole company to BTG for £165 million.  In addition, £123 million of cash was returned to shareholders. From 2012 to October 2014, Crispin was a full time Director in the UK Government's Department of Business, Innovation and Skills.  

Crispin Simon said: "Rex Bionics' unique medical technology has already demonstrated to me the potential it has for wheelchair users - both from a health and quality of life perspective.  We are focused on penetrating rehabilitation centres internationally and the device is gaining interest from many groups.  I look forward to our products making a real difference to the lives of wheelchair users and to converting sales into significant shareholder value."

David Macfarlane, Chairman, commented: "Crispin joins Rex Bionics at a period of intense commercial, development and manufacturing activity.  He has an exceptional track record within the healthcare sector and is the right person to take the company to the next stage of its growth.  On behalf of the Board and management team I wish to thank Jeremy for his incredible vision, leadership and drive that has enabled us to achieve as much as we have over the recent months.  We are delighted he will remain as a member of our Board and continue his close involvement with the business."

Jeremy Curnock Cook, Deputy Chairman, added: "I am delighted that we have been able to attract Crispin to Rex Bionics.  We are well positioned both with our commercial activities and operationally and I believe this is the right time for Crispin to step in. Crispin's appointment will allow me to spend more time on my other business activities around the world, but I fully intend to continue to work closely with the Rex Bionics team in this next exciting phase of the Company's development."

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For further information please contact:

Rex Bionics Plc

Crispin Simon, Chief Executive Officer

+44 (0) 781 086 6386

Peter Worrall, Chief Financial Officer

+44 (0)1428 645416

Oriel Securities Limited (NOMAD and Broker)

Juliet Thompson/Jonathan Senior

+44 (0) 20 7710 7600

Consilium Strategic Communications

Mary-Jane Elliott / Emma Thompson / Jessica Hodgson / Lindsey Neville

rexbionics@consilium-comms.com

+44 (0) 203 709 5700

About Rex Bionics

Rex Bionics (AIM: RXB) is an AIM-listed developer and manufacturer of REX products, hands-free robotic exoskeletons for use by people with mobility impairments. Founded in Auckland, New Zealand by two robotics engineers with first-hand experience of wheelchair users and their needs, Rex Bionics focuses on products designed to enable wheelchair users to stand and walk autonomously without the need for crutches or supports and is the only company to produce hands-free walking devices for wheelchair users. Rex Bionics' marketed products: REX Rehab and REX Personal, can be used by people with complete spinal cord injury, but also by a much broader potential customer base, including people with multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy. In May 2014, Rex Bionics joined AIM with a fundraising of £10 million (gross) to scale up production, distribution and marketing internationally, in order to support growing demand for both REX products as well as developing the next generation of REX devices, REX 3.

For more information please visit, www.rexbionics.com