Rex Bionics plc

("Rex Bionics" or the "Company")

Rex Bionics to feature in a BBC Horizon Special on the Longitude Prize 2014

Rex Bionics plc (AIM: RXB), the developer and manufacturer of REX products: hands-free robotic exoskeletons for use by wheelchair users, will feature in a special edition of the BBC Horizon programme to be broadcast on Thursday 22 May. The programme: "The 10 Million Pound Challenge," launches the £10 million Longitude Prize 2014, and REX has been selected to showcase the use of exoskeletons to help restore mobility to people with paralysis.

The prize, which is run and developed by the UK's innovation foundation, Nesta, with the Technology Strategy Board as a funding partner, is a challenge which aims to revive the spirit of the 18th century Longitude Prize. The 2014 Prize is designed to reward innovations which help solve the biggest problem of our time.

Horizon explores the six potential challenges nominated by a Longitude Committee, and launches a public vote to determine which should go forward as the category for the new Longitude prize. The question put to the public is 'if you had £10 million to make one change to the world, what would you do?'

One of the six Longitude challenges for 2014 will address the problem of how to restore motor function in people with paralysis. Thursday's episode of the Horizon programme will explore the six potential solutions, shortlisted by the Longitude Committee, to the challenges set, and will showcase the use of REX as an example of a possible solution to the paralysis challenge.

"We are delighted that Horizon has chosen to showcase REX and hope to be able to play a part in this fascinating and important prize challenge," Jeremy Curnock Cook, Rex Bionics' Chief Executive Officer, said.

"We hope this will help us raise awareness of the ways that exoskeletons like REX can improve the quality of life for people with paralysis and participate in a broader public discussion about how to use innovation to solve the problems of our time. Don't forget to vote for the paralysis challenge."

The programme will be aired on Thursday 22 May at 9pm BST on BBC Two and the public will then be invited to vote to decide the winning challenge. Voting will take place between 22 May and 25 June and the winner will be announced on 25 June. To vote for the paralysis challenge, visit www.longitudeprize.org.

The Horizon appearance caps a week of heightened media activity for REX, which included appearances on BBC One's News at Six, ITV1's Good Morning Britain and the ITV lunchtime news and BBC Radio 5Live.

Notes for editors:
The Longitude Prize 2014 is based on the 1714 Longitude Prize, a challenge set by the British government of the day to identify the problem of how to identify a ship's longitude at sea. That prize, worth £20,000, was won by clockmaker John Harrison after several decades' work.

For further information please contact:

Rex Bionics Plc
Jeremy Curnock Cook, 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 producing products designed to enable wheelchair users to stand and walk autonomously without the need for crutches or supports and is the only company to mass 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

Posted on May 22, 2014 |

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