Biotest AG: Biotest records significant growth in sales and earnings, Majority shareholder terminates discussion about shares' sale
Biotest AG / Preliminary Results/Miscellaneous
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Biotest records significant growth in sales and earnings,
Majority shareholder terminates discussion about shares' sale
Dreieich, 4 February 2009. According to preliminary and unaudited figures,
the Biotest Group recorded sales of EUR 423 million in financial year 2008,
representing an increase of 30% on the previous year (EUR 326.4 million).
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) are in the range of EUR 55 million.
Compared to 2007 (EUR 38.5 million) that is an increase by more than 40%.
Excluding the contribution made by the US plasma protein business, which
was consolidated for the first time in 2008 over a 12-month period, sales
grew by 10% and EBIT climbed by more than 23%.
In the Plasma Protein segment, Biotest achieved sales of EUR 339.5 million,
which corresponds to a 37% increase compared with the previous year (EUR
247.0 million). Net of the contribution made by the US business, sales were
up almost 12% on the previous year.
In the Medical Diagnostic segment, sales were 2% higher than in 2007 at EUR
45.2 million (EUR 44.3 million), while in the Microbiological Monitoring
segment, business volume totalled EUR 38.3 million, up 9% on the previous
year’s figure of EUR 35.1 million.
The majority shareholder in Biotest AG, OGEL GmbH, informed the Board of
Managing Directors that it had terminated its discussions regarding the
sales of a major portion of its share block until further notice. OGEL GmbH
gave the reasons for its decision to terminate discussions relating to the
sale of the majority of its shares as the excellent earnings achieved by
Biotest AG in a difficult market environment, the company’s corporate
strategy targeted at reaching long-term goals and the change in market
conditions.
Biotest will publish the final figures for financial year 2008 on 11 March
2009. The Annual Report is scheduled for publication on 23 March 2009.
Disclaimer
This document contains forward-looking statements on overall economic
development as well as on the business, earnings, financial and asset
situation of Biotest AG and its subsidiaries. These statements are based on
current plans, estimates, forecasts and expectations of the company and are
thus subject to risks and elements of uncertainty that could result in
deviation of actual developments from expected developments. The
forward-looking statements are only valid at the time of publication.
Biotest does not intend to update the forward-looking statements and
assumes no obligation to do so.
About Biotest
Biotest AG, Dreieich, Germany, is a company that researches and
manufactures pharmaceutical, biotherapeutic and diagnostic products and has
specialised in immunology and haematology. In its Plasma proteinsegment,
Biotest develops immunoglobulins, clotting factors and albumins based on
human blood plasma. These are used for diseases of the immune system or
haematopoietic system. In the Biotherapeutic segment, Biotest researches
into the clinical development of monoclonal antibodies, including in the
indications of rheumatoid arthritis and blood cancer. The Diagnostic
segment spans reagents and systems for microbiological monitoring and
medical diagnostics which are used, for example, in blood transfusions and
transplants. Biotest has around 1,950 employees worldwide and its shares
are listed in the Frankfurt Stock Exchange's S-DAX.
Biotest AG, Landsteinerstr. 5, D-63303 Dreieich, www.biotest.de
Dr. Michael Ramroth,
Tel: +49 (0) 6103 801-520,
e-mail: michael_ramroth@biotest.de
Fax: +49 (0) 6103 801-347
WKN, ISIN ordinary share: 522720, DE0005227201
WKN, ISIN preference share: 522723, DE0005227235
Listed: Prime Standard/official trading
Frankfurt, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart
04.02.2009 Financial News transmitted by DGAP
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Language: English
Issuer: Biotest AG
Landsteinerstraße 5
63303 Dreieich
Deutschland
Phone: 0 61 03 - 8 01-0
Fax: 0 61 03 - 8 01-150
E-mail: investor_relations@biotest.de
Internet: http://www.biotest.de
ISIN: DE0005227201, DE0005227235
WKN: 522720, 522723
Indices: SDAX
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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