Almirall, an Excellent company according to the Profarma plan of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce

• Almirall has been included in Group A for highly innovative companies
• Almirall, which has been awarded this evaluation on previous occasions, allocates over 15% of its net sales and over 15% of its workforce to R&D  
• Almirall’s current pipeline is the most extensive in its history with five R&D projects in or entering phase III, and registration for another two expected in 2011: aclidinium bromide and linaclotide 

Barcelona, 31 March 2011.- The Promotion Plan Committee for scientific research, development and technological innovation (R&D&I) in the pharmaceutical industry (Profarma)  has awarded Almirall a rating of “Excellent”. This means Almirall has been included in Group A for highly innovative companies.

The Profarma plan is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce, the Ministry of Health and Social Policy and the Ministry of Science and Innovation. It aims to encourage R&D&I activities in the pharmaceutical sector in Spain. Companies are rated according to industrial, financial parameters and research and development. 

Almirall, which has obtained this classification on previous occasions, dedicates over 15% of its net sales as well as over 15% of its workforce to R&D.  Fostering R&D is in fact one of its strategic objectives and the driver of its growth. This rating is therefore recognition of Almirall’s efforts in research, employment and production in Spain, where the company has innovative infrastructures that will enable it to tackle future challenges in the pharmaceutical research field.  The R&D centre in Sant Feliu de Llobregat (Barcelona), inaugurated in 2006, is an outstanding example and a reference point for Spanish biomedical research.

Extense R&D pipeline Innovation is one of Almirall’s keys for growth. Its current pipeline is the most extensive in its history. Almirall currently has five R&D projects in or entering phase III and is planning registration for a further two in 2011: aclidinium bromide to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and linaclotide for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, for which there is no specific treatment approved by the European Medicines Agency.

About Almirall  Almirall is an international pharmaceutical company based on innovation and committed to health. Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, it researches, develops, manufactures and commercialises its own R&D and licensed drugs with the aim of improving people’s health and wellbeing.   

Almirall focuses its research resources on therapeutic areas related to the treatment of asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), gastrointestinal disorders, psoriasis and other dermatological conditions.

Almirall’s products are currently present in over 70 countries while it has direct presence in Europe and Latin America through 12 affiliates.

For further information please visit the website at: www.almirall.com