With the drugs Cimzia, Vimpat, Neupro and Keppra.
The Belgian pharmaceutical company UCB increased its sales in 2015 to 3,510 million euros, an increase of 20 percent, thanks to the drugs 'Cimzia' for patients with inflammatory diseases; 'Vimpat', for the treatment of epilepsy; 'Neupro' for Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome (RLS); and the drug 'Keppra' also for epilepsy.
The UCB Chief Executive Officer, Jean-Christophe Tellier, commented: "The continued growth of UCB's flagship drugs in 2015 enabled the company to make significant gains. With our patient-focused strategy we intend to produce exceptional value, and this will also allow us to offer significant remuneration to our shareholders. We continue to advance and increase our drug portfolio. We have launched 'Briviact' for epilepsy and are preparing to launch romosozumab for osteoporosis. at the same time, we maintain our investment in products in development promising to provide solutions”
And sales of the four drugs brought in 2.76 billion euros, representing 77 percent of net sales worldwide. In particular, net sales of Certolizumab ('Cimzia') amount to approximately 1,100 million euros due to the drug's “increasing” accessibility for patients with TNF-mediated inflammatory diseases; while lacosamide (Vimpat) achieved net sales of 679 million euros; the transdermal patch rotigotine (Neupro) with 258 million and levetiracetam (Keppra) with 737 million recorded an increase in 11%.
Royalty revenues were €176 million, although other revenues decreased to €188 million in 2015 mainly due to scheduled payments and revenues in 2014.
Gross profit increased to 2,700 million.
Gross profit increased to 2,700 million euros due to revenue growth and an improvement in the composition of the portfolio of products sold. With regards to group profit, the annual report shows that income was 674 million, of which 623 million is attributed to the majority shareholders of UCB and 51 million to minority interests.
Part of the profits can be attributed to the disposal and income from the activities of Kremers Urban, respectively 94 and 359 million. In September 2015, the company signed a definitive divestment of its US unit, Kremers Urban, which specializes in generics, with Lannett.
Thus, at the closing of the operation, in November 2015, UCB collected approximately 1,100 million euros (1,230 million dollars), of which 950 million euros (1,030 million dollars) correspond to an actual payment, while 183 million (200 million dollars dollars) represent Lannett's unsecured obligations to UCB.
Earnings per share, after calculating attributed earnings less taxes and amortization of intangible assets, reached €2.17 per share, based on a weighted average of 192 million shares outstanding versus €1.69 euro per share out of 191 million shares outstanding in 2014.
In terms of core profitability, the group reported 821 million euros due to the “strong increase” in net sales, the “very high” gross margin and, to a lesser extent, operating costs and changes in monetary exchange rates in 2014.
Decline in net financial spending.
Operating costs produced an increase in revenue of 12% (approximately 2,100 million) against a sale and marketing expense of 904 million. In addition, extraordinary charges have gone from 107 to 55 million euros with the profit of mature products "not coreUCB in India.
In this regard, in November 2014, the payment of listed fixed-income securities ended, for which financial charges decreased from 162 to 96 million. In addition, the company's tax expenditures amount to €111 million, which reflects an average tax rate on 22% assets.
In 2016, the company expects sustained growth as the forecast is that earnings will be between 4,000 and 4,100 million euros and that EBITDA [profit before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization on tangible and intangible assets] will increase by approximately 970/1,010 million euros. Finally, earnings per share are hoped to be around €2.90/3.20, based on an average calculation of 188 million outstanding shares.
MADRID, 1 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) – Published 01/03/2016
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