Biotest AG — Earnings Release 2006

May 11, 2006

News Details

Corporate | 11 May 2006 10:01

Biotest AG:Good start to 2006 – a year of growth: Group sales up by 21%, overproportional growth recorded in earnings

Corporate-news transmitted by DGAP – a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. —————————————————————————— Good start to 2006 – a year of growth: Group sales up by 21%, overproportional growth recorded in earnings Strong increases in immunoglobulins and coagulative agents – sales and earnings target for financial year 2006 as a whole confirmed Dreieich/Frankfurt/Main, 11 May 2006. Biotest AG, Dreieich, achieved Group sales of € 67.5 million in the first quarter of 2006, which represents a year-on-year increase of 20.9%. EBIT rose 30.7% to stand at € 6.9 million, while pre-tax profit improved by 79.9% to total € 5.0 million. The increase in sales is mainly attributable to the Pharmaceutical segment, which grew 29.2% to € 47.4 million. Growth was driven, in particular, by a sharp upturn in sales of immunoglobulins Pentaglobin ® and Intratect ® in Germany and the rest of Europe, and also in sales of the coagulative agent Haemoctin ® in Russia. Sales in the Diagnostic segment were up 5.0% to € 20.1 million. Over half the growth in this segment was attributable to the US market. The overproportional earnings increase was achieved, despite higher research and development expenses, which amounted to € 5.6 million (previous year: € 3.6 million) due to investment in the development of the Biotherapeutic segment. The marked improvement in the financial result had a positive impact following the significant reduction in financial liabilities. Cash flow from operating activities stood at € 4.6 million compared to € -4.2 million for the same period in the previous year. Investment was fully covered by internal funds. Following a small increase in total assets, at 48.2%, the equity ratio deviated only marginally from the figure at year-end 2005 (48.5%). The number of employees rose slightly in the first quarter of 2006 by 15 to 1,089 in line with the growth strategy of Biotest. After a successful first quarter, Biotest is anticipating sales growth of more than 10% and a rise in earnings for financial year 2006 as a whole. In the second quarter, the first sales of Intratect ® have already been carried out in the UK and Austria. This premium product only remains to be launched in five other EU countries, which are to be opened up by the end of 2006. The complete quarterly report can be viewed at www.biotest.com under Investor Relations/Publications. 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 addition, Biotest also 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 1,100 employees worldwide and its shares are listed in the Frankfurt Stock Exchange’s Prime Standard. Biotest AG: Dr. Michael Ramroth, Tel. +49 (0)6103 801-338 Fax: +49 (0)6103 801-347, e-mail: michael.ramroth @biotest.de Biotest AG, Landsteinerstr. 5, D-63303 Dreieich, www.biotest.de German Securities Code Number, ISIN ordinary shares: 522720, DE0005227201 German Securities Code Number, ISIN preferred shares: 522723, DE0005227235 Listed: Prime Standard/Official market Frankfurt, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart (c)DGAP 11.05.2006 ————————————————————————— Language: English Issuer: Biotest AG Landsteinerstr. 5 63303 Dreieich Deutschland Phone: +49 – 6103 / 801 – 0 Fax: +49 – 6103 / 801 – 150 email: 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 —————————————————————————