BTG Announces Availability of a Novel Chalcogenide Laser for License

Business Wire, April 27, 2004

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 27, 2004

BTG:

-- Versatile, Low-Cost Technology Offers Wide Range of

Applications

-- Broadly Tunable Semiconductor Laser in the 2-3 Micron

Wavelength Range

BTG (LSE: BGC), the IP and technology commercialization company, today announced that it is offering for license patented, fundamental chalcogenide semiconductor laser technology, which can provide broad functionality for sensing and laser ablation applications. The technology package, originally developed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, provides a versatile, tunable, and more economical alternative to products already available on the market. A commercial prototype is currently under development at Canada's INO and will be available to demonstrate this technology in mid-2004.

The laser embodies a variety of features that maximize functionality. Its configuration is versatile both in application flexibility and potential implementation, providing an array of advantages. Compared to currently available lasers in the 2-3 micron wavelength range, this laser's properties can be easily adjusted by changing either the doping material or the crystal material. Just as importantly, this technology promises to be a low-cost alternative to other existing solid-state lasers because it can utilize low-cost materials, existing pump sources, and established crystal growth/fabrication techniques. These characteristics make the laser applicable to the medical, sensing and military fields, as well as a host of others.

"This laser solution fills a gap that exists in the 2-3 micron wavelength range, where there is a need for small, broadly tunable, cost-effective solutions," said Dr. William Krupke, co-inventor of this novel laser, co-founder of the Laser Directorate at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and consultant to several high technology private companies.

Jay Kshatri, Vice President of BTG's Semiconductors and Optoelectronics Business Unit said, "We are excited to be working with such well-respected groups as the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and INO to bring this solution to market. We look forward to continuing our relationship with these great institutions as we support this technology through the prototype stage and into commercialization."

About BTG

BTG creates value by investing in intellectual property and technology development, and in early stage ventures. We realize value through technology licensing, patent assertion and disposal of equity investments. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we apply intellectual property and commercial expertise, together with specialist skills in science and technology, to create major product opportunities in the health and high tech sectors. BTG has commercialized important innovations, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Multilevel Cell (MLC) memory, and Factor IX blood clotting protein, the first recombinant treatment for Hemophilia B. BTG operates through wholly owned subsidiaries BTG International Ltd. and BTG International Inc. in the UK and USA, respectively. Further information on BTG can be found at www.btgplc.com.

About Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)

Founded in 1952, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is a national security laboratory, with a mission to ensure national security and apply science and technology to the important issues of our time. LLNL is managed by the University of California for the US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. Further information on LLNL can be found at www.llnl.gov.

About INO

INO is Canada's premier optics and photonics expertise center and ranks among the most important in North America. Its achievements have found applications in the following areas: aerospace, biomedicine, the environment, forestry, industrial processes, transportation, telecommunications, security and defense.

INO maintains and develops a high level of knowledge and expertise in the 14 main programs organized in three broad sectors: Microoptics and Microsystems - Photonics, Fibers and Lasers - Applied Optical Systems. Through R&D contracts, custom-designed systems and standard products, INO offers state-of-the-art solutions in laser systems design, active sensing, optical sensors, new laser sources, vision systems, optical and digital information processing, artificial vision, specialty optical fibers, optical communications devices, F.O. sensors, optoelectronic microdevices, and microoptics. Further information on INO can be found at www.ino.qc.ca.