Local information

Laboratorios Almirall S.A. acquires Hermal

On July 16th, the British Reckitt Benckiser group announced the sale of the dermatics specialist Hermal to the Spanish pharmaceuticals company Laboratorios Almirall S.A. (Almirall). The transaction is to be completed in the third quarter of 2007.

Almirall is an international pharmaceuticals company, which focuses on the research and development (R&D) of new drugs that are produced in its own manufacturing facilities and marketed in more than 85 countries. The company's headquarter is in Barcelona / Spain and there are 6 affiliates in Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Belgium, Germany and Mexico with around 3,000 employees worldwide. Almirall pursues the goal of improving people's health and quality of life with its drugs.

At the flotation 4 weeks ago, Almirall declared that investments in research and development as well as international growth were key goals to be reached in the short term. The acquisition of Hermal will help the company achieve both goals. The Spanish group is expanding its R&D capacities through Hermal's dermatological pipeline, increasing its presence in Germany, and opening up new markets for itself, e.g. in the United Kingdom and Poland. The acquisition of Hermal supplements the company's existing activities well and expands Almirall's range of services. An expansion of business is expected with regard to the international network and geographical supplements to the market with sales opportunities for both sides and through each supplementing the other's R&D competence.

Dr Jorge Gallardo, CEO of Almirall, says on this: 'We are very satisfied with this acquisition because it increases our international market presence and strengthens our position as a European pharmaceuticals specialist.'

The management and employees of Hermal look forward to expanding their own business together with Almirall and to opening up new market opportunities.

And even though no details are known at this early stage: Hermal will by all means continue to offer its customers and business partners its proven strengths with regard to products, quality and service under the umbrella of the new company as well.

• International pharmaceuticals company, established in 1997, registered office in Barcelona/Spain
• Affiliates in Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Belgium, Germany and Mexico
• around 3,000 employees around the world, of whom:
  • more than 500 work in research and development (R&D)
  • and around 1,400 in the field sales force
• Five production centres (Spain: 4; France: 1) with a production volume of around 90 million units per year
• Four R&D centres (Spain: 3; Germany: 1)
• 50% of the products come from the company's own R&D
• Indication areas:
  • Respiratory diseases
  • Central nervous system
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Gastro-intestinal disorders
  • Rheumatic diseases
• Turnover in 2006: € 758 million; of which around 2/3 in Spain and 1/3 internationally
• Joint stock corporation since June 2007; 70% of the shares are held by the owning family Gallardo
• Further information on the Internet at: www.almirall.es

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