- Millennium
Cell and Horizon Fuel Cell Target 2008 to Sell Products -
- Companies to Exchange Stock
as Part of Agreement -
EATONTOWN, N.J. and SINGAPORE--Millennium
Cell Inc. (NASDAQ:MCEL) and Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies Pte. Ltd announced
today that the two companies have signed a Letter of Intent (“LOI”) to
jointly develop and sell products on a global basis. The companies have
also entered into a definitive agreement which will result in the exchange
of their respective equity valued at $5 million. Under the LOI, each company
will receive preferred product pricing, as well as the ability to resell
certain products developed by the two companies on a global basis. It is
expected that a Definitive Agreement for the business arrangement will
be executed within the next 30 days.
To consummate the equity transaction,
earlier today Millennium Cell issued to Horizon approximately 12% of Millennium
Cell’s outstanding shares in exchange for a non-interest bearing convertible
note in the principal amount of $5 million. The one-month note from Horizon
will automatically convert into approximately 7% of Horizon’s outstanding
common stock upon a vote by Horizon’s shareholders. Both parties have agreed
to a one year lock-up period for the common stock. A current report on
Form 8-K to be filed by Millennium Cell with the Securities and Exchange
Commission later today sets forth the material terms of the transaction
with Horizon.
In August 2007, Horizon licensed
Millennium Cell’s Hydrogen on Demand® technology for the purpose of
co-developing compatible hydrogen storage cartridges for the next wave
of Horizon fuel cell products. The intent of this agreement is to strengthen
the relationship between the two parties and enhance their ability to jointly
develop and sell products on an accelerated basis. Several products have
already been identified for development and it is expected that the initial
products in this collaboration will be manufactured by Horizon.
Horizon recently demonstrated an
emergency power unit for the first time at the CEATEC Japan exhibition.
The prototype system provided approximately 10 hours of runtime at 50 watts
utilizing Horizon’s fuel cells powered by Millennium Cell’s Hydrogen on
Demand® chemical hydride fuel technology. Horizon and Millennium Cell
plan to launch the emergency power unit under in 2008 as a clean, quiet,
high energy alternative to lead acid battery based portable power packs.
The two companies anticipate developing additional power source products
for consumer and military use to be launched in 2008 and 2009. More information
on these products will be provided as the development effort progresses.
“We are very pleased with our investment
in Millennium Cell as we share the same market vision and can clearly see
how well our products mate with their technology,” said George Gu, President
and CEO, of Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies. “Our development efforts are
already underway and we will use our mutual strengths to expand our offerings
and bring exciting new products to commercial and military markets.”
“This agreement with Horizon adds
a new dimension to our business model,” commented Adam P. Briggs, Millennium
Cell President. “The objective is to generate product revenues for both
Millennium Cell and Horizon in 2008 by leveraging our collective technologies,
production capabilities and experience. We believe that Horizon’s low-cost,
high performance fuel cells and production knowledge combined with our
hydrogen storage cartridges will result in superior power products with
sustainable competitive advantages over batteries and other fuel cell technologies.”
About Millennium Cell
Millennium Cell is a leader in the
development of hydrogen battery technology used to power portable applications.
Through its proprietary Hydrogen on Demand® fuel cartridges and PowerSkin™
fuel cell modules, the Company provides increased energy density resulting
in longer runtime and lighter weight in a compact space. The Company is
working with market partners to meet the demand for a better battery in
the military, medical, industrial and consumer electronics markets. For
more information, visit www.millenniumcell.com.
About Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies
Pte Ltd
Thinking big, yet starting small,
Horizon pioneered the sales of next-generation fuel cell power products
in small consumer products, while developing larger-scale clean power solutions
for larger-size applications such as portable power, transportation and
aerospace. With comprehensive technological developments focused on enabling
fuel cell commercialization, Horizon is the first company to bring advanced
fuel cell technology out of the laboratories and into the mass market today.
For more information, visit http://www.horizonfuelcell.com. |