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Almirall expands by 12% in the international pharmaceutical market

Published on May 12, 2006

·In 2005 Almirall’s turnover totalled €751 million with total^(*) sales of €962 million.

·In 2005 Almirall signed several important international agreements, such as the future commercialisation in Europe of Sativex for the treatment of neuropathic pain and spasticity in multiple sclerosis, and this year has signed an agreement with Forest for the development and commercialisation in the USA of a new Almirall R&D compound for COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

·In 2005 investment in R&D exceeded €100 million and it is estimated that over the next five years it will total €750 million. The Sant Feliu de Llobregat R&D Centre is now fully operative.

(*) To date, Almirall has provided total sales data (local sales: Almirall and partners). As from the next financial year, only total turnover data will be provided.

Barcelona, 12 May 2006

In the financial year 2005, Almirall’s total turnover reached €751 million, of which around 30% corresponded to the international market, which grew by 12% in respect of the figures for 2004. Almirall holds a leadership position in the Spanish pharmaceutical market with a market share of 6%.

Expected total income for the financial year 2006 is €779 million, 550 in the domestic market and 229 in the international market.

Almirall has a workforce of 3,200 people, of whom 500 form part of the research area. Investment in R&D in 2005 totalled €109 million, almost 15% of its turnover, and the forecast for the financial year 2006 is €178 million. Almirall intends to invest €750 million in R&D over the next five years, the largest investment in this area by a Spanish pharmaceutical company.

New R&D Centre in Sant Feliu de Llobregat

The new Almirall R&D Centre in Sant Feliu de Llobregat (Barcelona), which is now fully operative, will have involved an investment of €120 million, the largest investment in R&D in the Spanish pharmaceutical sector. The centre is equipped with the latest technology with the purpose of preparing new medicinal products and meeting the health needs of the 21^st century, as well as being a reference point for biomedical research.

International projection hand in hand with innovative drugs

The 2005 financial year was a year of international projection for Almirall with the closing of agreements with Sareum Holdings LTD, Evotec OAI, Altana AG and GW Pharmaceuticals, amongst others. Particularly worthy of mention is the agreement reached with GW Pharmaceuticals for the commercialisation of Sativex for the treatment of neuropathic pain and spasticity in multiple sclerosis, and other serious pathologies. It is under development (phase III) in Europe. The agreement includes distribution of the drug in all member countries of the EU, except the United Kingdom.

More recently, this year Almirall has signed an agreement with the North American company Forest, through which the companies will jointly develop, commercialise and distribute the LAS34273, a new Almirall R&D compound for the treatment of COPD, which is to enter phase III this year. Forest will be responsible for its commercialisation in the USA although Almirall holds onto a future co-promotion option,while retaining commercialisation rights in the rest of the world.

Almirall, a leading company committed to health

Almirall is a consolidated international pharmaceutical company that researches, develops and commercialises its own R&D and licensed drugs with the aim of improving people’s health and quality of life.

The therapeutic areas on which Almirall focuses its research resources are related to the treatment of asthma, COPD, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

It is currently present in approximately a hundred countries with its own products and those under licence from companies of recognised prestige. The company is strengthening its direct presence in Europe and Latin America via its affiliates.