Biotest AG: successful start to 2007
Biotest AG / Quarter Results/Miscellaneous
Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory
AG.
The issuer / publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Biotest AG: successful start to 2007
- Q1 sales 12 % higher than in the same period of the previous year
- With a 16 % rise, earnings grow faster than sales
- Measures have been introduced to improve earnings situation in the
diagnostic segment
Dreieich, 3 May 2007. Financial year 2007 has started well for Biotest
Group. In the first quarter, the company, which specialises in
pharmaceuticals, biotherapeutics and diagnostics, recorded sales totaling
EUR 75.7 million, which represents a 12.1 % increase as compared with the
first three months of 2006 (EUR 67.5 million). Earnings before tax and
interest (EBIT) were up 15.9 % to EUR 8.0 million (previous year: EUR 6.9
million). In spite of a further significant rise in research and
development expenditures, earnings grew above the level of the increase in
sales.
In the first instance, growth is attributable to the continuing dynamic
upswing of business achieved by the pharmaceutical segment. In the first
quarter of 2007, Biotest recorded sales amounting to EUR 55.8 million,
which is a 17.7 % rise compared with the same period the previous year,
while sales in the diagnostic segment totaled EUR 19.9 million, which is
1.0 % lower than in the first three months of 2006.
At today’s Annual Shareholders' Meeting in Frankfurt/Main, the Chairman of
the Management Board of Biotest AG, Professor Dr. Gregor Schulz, will give
shareholders a detailed overview of the past year’s business development
and the implementation of the Group’s strategy for growth. He will also
explain the measures introduced a few days ago to improve the earnings
situation in the diagnostic segment, which will be realized in conjunction
with a renowned management consultancy. It is the objective to transfer the
strategic business division of immunological diagnostics to an independent
entity. The aim of this is to derive the flexibility to react to any
potential options, such as the pursuit of suitable partnerships.
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 Pharmaceutical segment,
Biotest develops immunoglobulines, clotting factors and albumins based on
human blood plasma. These are used for diseases of the immune system or
haematopoietic system. In the Biotherapeutics 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 serology and microbiology systems which are
used, for example, in blood transfusions. Biotest has around 1,200
employees worldwide and its shares are listed in the Frankfurt Stock
Exchange's Prime Standard.
Biotest AG, Landsteinerstr. 5, D-63303 Dreieich, www.biotest.de
Dr. Marion Wendorff, Telefon: +49 (0) 6103 801-520,
E-Mail: marion_wendorff@biotest.de
Telefax: +49 (0) 6103 801-7840
WKN, ISIN ordinary share: 522720, DE0005227201
WKN, ISIN preference share: 522723, DE0005227235
Listed: Prime Standard/official trading
Frankfurt, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart
DGAP 03.05.2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Language: English
Issuer: Biotest AG
Landsteinerstr. 5
63303 Dreieich Deutschland
Phone: +49 - 6103 / 801 - 0
Fax: +49 - 6103 / 801 - 150
E-mail: mail@biotest.de
www: www.biotest.de
ISIN: DE0005227201, DE0005227235
WKN: 522720, 522723
Indices:
Listed: Amtlicher Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in
Berlin-Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
---------------------------------------------------------------------------