Sopheon plc ("Sopheon"), the international provider of software and services that improve the financial return from innovation and product development investments, announces that it has concluded a definitive agreement to sell its Lessenger business to Mavim B.V. of Noordwijk, The Netherlands. The Lessenger business provides hospital laboratory management software to approximately 70 customers based in the Netherlands, and accounted for approximately 2% of Sopheon’s 2004 consolidated revenues.

The divestment is consistent with Sopheon’s concentration on its flagship Accolade platform. This includes continued focus on the Dutch healthcare market, where Accolade is being used to address needs in areas such as management of hospital protocols, clinical trials and innovation. As announced previously, Sopheon is actively considering how to apply these solutions to the US market.

Sopheon’s Chairman, Barry Mence said:
"Today’s announcement further underpins our continuing focus and belief in Accolade. As the year end approaches we are concentrating all efforts on closing new Accolade business and delivering on closed orders, while concluding our planning for 2006 and beyond. Our divestment of Lessenger makes strategic sense for Sopheon, and also for Lessenger’s customers. We believe they will be well served by Mavim, who are committed to the laboratory market and to continued investment in the solution."