Biotest AG — Earnings Release 2005

Aug 5, 2005

News Details

Corporate | 5 August 2005 09:34

Biotest AG: Biotest enjoys continued successful business growth –

Corporate-news transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. —————————————————————————— Biotest enjoys continued successful business growth – EBIT +27% in first six months 2005 Dreieich, August 5, 2005. The Biotest Group – a company specializing in therapeutic products and diagnostic systems – was able to further expand its successful business growth also in the first half of 2005. Earnings were up significantly on the previous year’s figure by EUR 2.4 million (+27%) to EUR 11.0 million. Consolidated net income increased to EUR 4.5 million after EUR -0.4 million in the first half of 2004. Revenues, which were down slightly on the previous year after the first quarter, enjoyed substantial growth in the second quarter; after the first six months they now total EUR 115.2 million or up 3.9% on revenues in H1 2004. Revenue growth stemmed from the Pharmaceutical segment, which recorded growth of 5.9% to EUR 76.8 million. Growth was primarily generated in Germany at EUR 4.4 million and in the rest of Europe at EUR 1.9 million. Growth was driven by coagulation factors and immunoglobulines, with Intratect(R) in particular gaining further market share in view of its successful launch in the fall of last year. Revenues in the Diagnostic segment were stable at the same level as last year, totaling EUR 38.4 million. Once again, growth in Europe compensated for downturns in other regions, with revenues in Germany reaching the previous year’s figure of EUR 13.3 million. This stems from HYCON business, which enjoyed slight growth of 1% due to the excellent performance of Heipha products. However, the resulting growth was overshadowed by revenue downturns for transplant and infectious disease diagnostics. EBIT inceased compared to H1 2004 by EUR 2.4 million to EUR 11.3 million. Other operating income/expense were still depressed by restructuring expenses last year, however income was positive in H1 2005 at EUR 1.2 million. Growth of monoclonal antibodies was right on schedule; production of the clinical test material BT-061 by Lonza will be accelerated and pulled forward by three months, so that GMP-conform material will already be available in the first half of 2006. After the balance sheet date, a syndicated loan agreement dated July 27, 2005 took the place of the loans received under the Sicherheiten-Treuhand- Vereinbarung (STV – Collateral Trustee Agreement). This agreement, which replaces the STV, converts part of the previous short-term credit line totaling EUR 47.5 million to long-term financing. In financial year 2005, Biotest is continuing to forecasting a disproportionate increase in EBIT compared to revenues. Biotest AG in brief Biotest AG, Dreieich is a pharmaceutical and diagnostics company with approximately 1,000 employees worldwide. Biotest is specialized in developing, producing and marketing of therapeutic products and diagnostic systems with a focus on clinical immunology, autoimmune disease, haematology and intensive care medicine. The product portfolio includes human plasma derivatives such as immunoglobulin preparations and blood coagulation factors, test systems for transplant and transfusion diagnosis and tests for hygiene monitoring. In addition to further innovative plasma derivatives, Biotest’s therapeutic pipeline also contains several monoclonal antibody candidates. Biotest AG’s shares are admitted to Prime Standard trading. Investor Relations: Hubert Bötsch, Telephone: +49 (0) 6103 801-444, Telefax: +49(0)6103/801-880, E-mail: hubert_boetsch@biotest.de Biotest AG, Landsteinerstr. 5, D-63303 Dreieich, www.biotest.de WKN (German Securities Code), ISIN ordinary shares: 522720, DE0005227201 WKN (German Securities Code), ISIN preferred shares: 522723, DE0005227235 Listed: Official trading in Frankfurt (Prime Standard) OTC in Berlin-Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Stuttgart End of announcement (c)DGAP 05.08.2005 —————————————————————————— WKN: 522720; ISIN: DE0005227201; Index: Listed: Amtlicher Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg und Stuttgart 050934 Aug 05