Almirall continues its international expansion through one of its most prominent own R&D pharmaceutical products

Barcelona, 10^th November 2005.- Almirall has signed an agreement with the German pharmaceutical company Merz granting commercialisation rights of Almogran (almotriptan) in Switzerland.This initiative is a further example of the Spanish multinational company's expansion strategy in European markets through the distribution of its leading own R&D pharmaceutical products, such as Almogran.

The launching of the product on the Swiss market in 2006 means that almotriptan will be present in 8 countries in Europe -in Germany, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy and Portugal through Almirall's own affiliates, plus United Kingdom- and in 9 of the 10 main world drug markets for the treatment of migraine, including Germany, Canada, USA, France and the United Kingdom.

Almotriptan has received recognition from world experts as a first-line therapeutic option for migraine treatment. Its commercialisation in Switzerland by Merz will signify a notable contribution to the therapeutic arsenal of this country.

The anti-migraine drug was launched in Spain in September 2000 and in the same year, through the Mutual Recognition procedure, obtained authorisation for commercialisation throughout the European Union plus Norway and Iceland. The molecule also received approval from the FDA, the federal health authority in the United States. It is the first time this organisation has approved a Spanish R&D drug.

Merz Pharmaceuticals specialises in the investigation and commercialisation of pharmaceutical products for the central nervous system and psychiatry. It is leader in the field of research into Alzheimer's disease and provides essential medicines for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and depression.

Almirall, a leading company committed to health

Almirall is a consolidated international pharmaceutical company that researches, develops and commercialises own R&D and licensed specialities with the aim of improving 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.

Almirall is to invest 650 million euros in R&D over the next five years. This is the largest investment in this area by a Spanish pharmaceutical company. Forecasts for total sales in 2005 amount to 946 million euros. Almirall, whose Headquarters are in Barcelona (Spain), has a staff of over 3,200 people, approximately 500 of whom form part of the R&D team. It is currently present in around 100 countries with its own products and licensed products from other prestigious companies.The company is strengthening its direct presence in Europe and Latin America via affiliates.