Almirall maintains its shareholder return thanks to its R&D and internationalisation results

•  0.15* euros per share was approved as a flexible dividend; to be perceived in cash or paid up shares    
• Over 30 launches for aclidinium, linaclotide and Sativex® in 2013  
• R&D pipeline and corporate development as the foundations for future development

Barcelona, 3May 2013.- Almirall, the pharmaceutical company headquartered in Barcelona, approved during its Annual General Meeting today to pay out in early June a gross dividend of approximately  0.15* euros per share as a flexible dividend - meaning it can be perceived in cash or in paid up shares.

In 2012, approval was granted for aclidinium for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and linaclotide to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-c). For these two products and Sativex®, for spasticity in multiple sclerosis, Almirall will be making over 30 launches in 2013.

Another highlight in 2012, in addition to this progress in the respiratory and gastrointestinal areas, is dermatology, as it represented almost 20% of total business at a growth of 8%. Almirall remains the leader in Germany in prescription dermatology and it is now ranked seventh in Europe.   

According to Jorge Gallardo, Chairman of Almirall, “2012 was a record year for Almirall as its regulatory milestones and partnership agreements have enabled us to lay the foundations for entering a medium to long-term growth period, as well as meeting our financial forecasts despite the adverse economic conditions.  We are at a crucial time of our strategy implementation in order to really do justice to the potential of our new products”.

In line with the meeting agenda, 2012’s statements were approved, whereby Total Income reached € 900.2 MM.

Meanwhile,EBIDTA stood at € 124 MM and Normalised Net Income around € 78 MM, in line with forecasts.

In 2012, Almirall allocated around € 160 MM to R&D, driven by progress made by its proprietary respiratory franchise and representing an increase of 10% over the previous year.

Committed to research (R+D) and its pipeline

Almirall is the leading Spanish pharmaceutical in terms of investment in R&D and the third out of all sectors in Spain.  This commitment is translated into a team of over 500 people and it is the only Spanish company to participate in a global initiative promoted by Interpol and the pharmaceutical industry against the falsifying of medicines, therefore protecting patient health and guaranteeing access to safe and effective medicines.

Almirall has a promising R&D pipeline with three significant opportunities in phase III, the most advanced phase of clinical development, and six projects in total in the clinical development phase. After the approval of aclidinium, Almirall’s respiratory franchise is led by the combination of aclidinium + formoterol. Recently, positive results have been presented for two phase III pivotal clinical trials (with regulatory entity) in Europe and the United States, which will enable regulatory procedures to get underway in both territories in  2013.

A further two compounds are also making progress in phase III: LAS41008 for psoriasis and Sativex® for cancer pain. In both cases preliminary results are expected in 2014. Almirall also has other respiratory compounds and a pipeline in dermatology. It will therefore continue to focus on innovation and remain a reference point in its key therapeutic areas.

Corporate development

Corporate development acted as another crucial backbone for Almirall in 2012 in conciliating future growth.

Almirall has established commercial alliances with the Menarini Group in various European territories as well as Australia and New Zealand. Likewise, with Daewoong for the development and commercialisation in Korea and with Forest for the Canadian market. At present Almirall’s direct or indirect trade capacity for aclidinium totals 90% of its global market.

In Spain, the company has signed an agreement with Bayer to co-promote  rivaroxaban, an innovative anticoagulant for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and which is now available in Spain. Almirall has also assumed an interest in the share capital of AB-Biotics, a biotech specialising in pharmacogenetic testing. From early 2013 both companies have been marketing Neurofarmagen in Spain, a new DNA test for psychiatry and neurology.

Corporate Governance

The Board of Directors has been renewed with the appointment of two experts in the pharmaceutical industry who both have extensive international experience: Gerhard Mayr and Karin Dorrepaal.

A further important highlight is the approval of the new Code of Ethics, which takes effect this year. It will provide the basis for action for all Almirall professionals, promoting high standards of conduct in their working performance.

Almirall

Almirall is a pharmaceutical company committed to provide valuable medicines through our own R&D efforts, which exceeded 23% on sales in 2012, together with external partnerships, licenses and collaborations. Through seeking innovative medicines we aim to become a relevant player in respiratory and dermatology diseases with also a strong interest in gastroenterology and pain. With more than 3,000 employees in 22 countries, Almirall generated total revenues of 900 million in 2012.

The company was founded in 1943 and is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain. The stock is traded in the Spanish stock exchange (ticker: ALM).

For more information please visit www.almirall.com

More information:                                                      Investor Relations contact:

Ketchum                                                                       Almirall

Sonia San Segundo/Alejandra Ríos                       Jordi Molina

sonia.sansegundo@ketchum.com                         jordi.molina@almirall.com

Tel.: 00 34 91 788 32 00                                            Tel.: 00 34 93 291 30 87