PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 4 -- Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTGC), a leading debt and equity growth capital provider to technology and life science companies, today announced that it has provided US $5.5 million of financing to Xillix Technologies Corp., (TSX: XLX), the world leader in fluorescence endoscopy for the early detection of cancer. Proceeds from this financing will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.

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"Xillix is at the forefront of medical imaging technologies with its portfolio of cancer detecting devices. The company is known worldwide for its leadership in the development of its powerful imaging technology known as Xillix LIFE and its latest FDA approved technology, Onco-LIFE(TM), which allows doctors the ability to detect cancer at significantly earlier stage then currently possible," said Parag Shah, managing director of Hercules. "Doctors can now help to extend the lives of their patients using these unique technologies."

Xillix focuses on the research, development and commercialization of medical imaging technologies which aid in the early detection and localization of cancer. Detecting cancer early can often mean the difference between life and death. Since its inception, Xillix has developed innovative fluorescence endoscopy systems which allow physicians to see very small, early stage cancer and even subtle pre-cancerous lesions.

About Hercules Technology Growth Capital:

Founded in December 2003, Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. is a publicly traded specialty finance company providing debt and equity growth capital to technology and life sciences companies at all stages of development, including post IPO. The company primarily finances privately held companies backed by leading venture capital and private equity firms and also may finance certain publicly traded companies.

Hercules focuses its investments in companies active in the technology and life sciences industries. Targeted sub-sectors may include companies characterized by products or services that require advanced technologies, including computer software and hardware, networking systems, semiconductors, semiconductor capital equipment, information technology infrastructure or services, Internet consumer and business services, telecommunications, telecommunications equipment, media; life sciences companies include biotechnology and medical devices. The company's investments are originated through its principal office located in the Silicon Valley, as well as additional offices in the Boston, Boulder and Chicago areas. Providing capital to publicly traded or privately, held companies backed by leading venture capital and private equity firms involves a high degree of credit risk and may result in potential losses.

For more information, please visit http://www.herculestech.com . Companies interested in learning more about financing opportunities should contact info@herculestech.com or call 650-289-3060.

About Xillix Technologies Corp:

Xillix Technologies Corp. is a Canadian medical device company and the world leader in fluorescence endoscopy for improved cancer detection. Xillix's latest device, Onco-LIFE(TM), incorporates fluorescence and white-light endoscopy in a single device that has been developed for the detection and localization of lung and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. An international multicenter lung cancer clinical trial of Onco-LIFE demonstrated a 325% per- lesion improvement in the detection of early lung cancer (moderate-severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ) and a 250% per-patient improvement compared to white-light alone. Onco-LIFE is approved for sale in the United States for the lung application and in Europe and Canada for both lung and GI applications. Onco-LIFE is compact, user-friendly and is compatible with a wide range of endoscopes and endoscopic accessories to help maximize global market acceptance.

The Company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "XLX". For more information, visit our website at http://www.xillix.com or contact: Sonja Rematore -- Investor Relations 604 278-5000, or e-mail: ir@xillix.com

Source: prnewswire