Yash Birla Group forays into Healthcare & Wellness

Company Brief

New Delhi, April 17, 2008

Birla Wellness, part of the Rs. 2300 crore Yash Birla Group today announced a Joint Venture (JV) with Singapore Mainboard-listed Pacific Healthcare Holdings Ltd ("PacHealth"), a leading provider of integrated, multi-disciplinary specialist healthcare services. The company, to be called Birla-Pacific Med Spa Pvt Ltd, will be 50 percent owned by the Yash Birla Group, 42.5 percent held by Pacific Healthcare Holdings (Singapore) and 7.5 percent by Dr. Abhijit Desai, a leading dermatologist based in India.

To reflect the focus on aesthetics and lifestyle medicine, the new venture will be branded 'Evolve' and provide cutting edge technology within a spa-like ambience for a total and holistic healthcare solution. Evolve will tap on the international expertise of PacHealths' specialists in the fields of Plastic Surgery, Implant and cosmetic dentistry, Cosmetic Dermatology, and anti-aging medicine.

As part of the group's dynamic growth strategy, YBG last year commissioned Ernst & Young to validate its business plan for the emerging and highly lucrative Healthcare and Wellness sector, estimated to be worth Rs. 1,80,000 crore and growing at a scorching pace of over 2o% per annum. This venture is part of the Group's foray into the healthcare industry as part of its overall strategy. The venture is also a long term strategy of PacHealth to export its much sought after expertise in designing and operating such centres overseas and to enhance its brand name internationally by expanding on this extremely scalable model.

Mr Yash Birla, the Chairman of the Yash Birla Group, "Pacific Healthcare is a premier healthcare group with a unique model that combines both medical and wellness services under one roof. Healthcare is a sunrise industry in India. We are confident this collaboration will meet the growing needs of Indian customers by blending traditional medical services with total wellness programmes. We will shortly launch 5 'Evolve' MedSpas in Mumbai, Delhi and Goa shortly. The JV will also adopt a franchise route for setting up similar facilities across the country."

To complement its range of offerings, 'Evolve' will also specialize in hormonal various anti-ageing therapies, including the production of individualised skincare and hormonal preparations as well as nutritional supplements for optimal health care. Worldwide, such programmes are reaching out to a substantial number of both men and women concerned about the effects of ageing, and PacHealth expects this segment to show strong growth in the coming years.

Dr William Chong, the CEO of PacHealth said: "In Yash Birla, we have a like-minded partner whose personal attention has been instrumental in facilitating the project. Excellence in healthcare isn't just simply using the latest technology or drugs. It requires attention to the patient's total mental and social well-being. Our concept is to integrate specialist healthcare with holistic therapeutic solutions. This joint venture will further extend our presence in India and we are delighted to be able to play a part in Yash Birla Group's growth plans."

For Further information please contact:

Clea Public Relations

Harpreet Singh Marwah

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