Investors
Almirall's Annual General Meeting approves a dividend of 0.33 euros per share, a figure 5% up on last year
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The pharmaceutical company allocates over 55 million euros to shareholder dividend payments
Barcelona, 14 May 2010.- Almirall, the international pharmaceutical company located in Spain, approved in its Annual General Meeting the awarding of 55,144,075 euros as dividend payments to its shareholders. This is in line with the company's shareholder policy whereby a gross dividend of approximately 0.33 euros per share will be paid out no later than 1 June. The exact figure represents a 5% increase over the dividend awarded the previous year.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jorge Gallardo, commented: "Once again we are pleased to be able to share Almirall's good results with our shareholders. These have come from a strong, forward-looking business strategy, notwithstanding the complexity of the economic environment".
Points on the agenda included examination and approval of 2009's financial statements when Almirall obtained a Net Income of 151.5 million euros.
The 2009 EBITDA totalled 243.9 million euros, 6% up over 2008. Net Sales went up by 2.5% to total 925.5 million euros; and Other Income, which remained a key contributor and reflection of Almirall's business model, rose to 107.8 million euros.
Almirall allocated over 125 million euros of 2009 results to voluntary reserves and more than 55 million euros to dividend payments. According to Jorge Gallardo, "the robust financial results achieved in 2009 have provided the basis for taking on this financial year 2010, which remains on track and in line with guidance; 51.0 million euros Normalised Net Income and 242.6 million euros in Net Sales in the year's first quarter".
The company maintains its commitment to research and development by allocating resources totalling 36.5 million euros in the first quarter of 2010, 9.3% more than in the same period of the previous year.
In 2010, Almirall is anticipating an important newsflow of R&D in its pipeline, particularly for phase III projects, such Eklira® (aclidnium bromide), for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and linaclotide, a compound licensed from Ironwood to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. The regulatory outcome in Spain of Sativex® for spasticity in multiple sclerosis is also expected in the second quarter of 2010.
About Almirall
Almirall, an international pharmaceutical company based on innovation and committed to health. Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, researches, develops, manufactures and commercialises its own R&D and licensed drugs with the aim of improving people's health and wellbeing.
The therapeutic areas on which Almirall focuses its research resources are related to the treatment of asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, 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 11 affiliates.
More information:
Ketchum/SEIS
Sonia San Segundo/Patricia Mansilla
Tel.: 00 34 91 788 32 00
Press release