Almirall, the only pharmaceutical company to be awarded the “Best of European Business” prize for innovation
The initiative is instigated by the consultancy agency Roland Berger and recognises efforts by companies to promote competitiveness in the European market
Barcelona, 14 October 2005.-The international pharmaceutical company Almirall, whose headquarters are in Barcelona, has received another award recognising its endeavours and innovative trajectory: one of the four awards that the strategic consultancy firm Roland Berger presents to the most European companies in Spain. Within the category of medium-sized company, Almirall was awarded a prize recognising its strong internationalisation drive in recent years and its competitiveness in the European market.
Dr. Jose Mª Palacios, General Director of R&D in Almirall, accepted the prize from the director of IESE in Madrid, Juan José Toribio, and announced, “it is a great pleasure for us to receive this prize as it is particularly significant. It serves as encouragement for us to continue our activity in the same vein ”. Almirall was analysed along with 500 other companies of different sectors and was the only pharmaceutical company to be awarded a prize.
Joseph Ros, a representative of Roland Berger in Spain stated, “there were a lot of candidates from different sectors such as finance, energy, technology and food. However, it became obvious that most Spanish companies do not have a growth strategy for eastern Europe and are not taking advantage of the opportunities this field could open up to them”.
The Best of European Business prizes were promoted by Roland Berger in collaboration with the Financial Times and the business school IESE.Other prize-winners were Banco de Santander; the food group Sos Cuétara; the company Inditex; Gamesa Eólica; the company Indra; the OHL group and Mango.
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 own products and licensed products from other prestigious companies.The company is strengthening its direct presence in Europe and Latin America via affiliates.