Acquisition

RNS Number : 1070V

Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc

09 January 2013

 



PRESS RELEASE                                                                     

Hikma agrees to acquire the Egyptian Company for Pharmaceuticals & Chemical Industries, strengthening its position in the large and fast growing Egyptian market

London, 9 January 2013 - Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (LSE: HIK) (NASDAQ Dubai: HIK) ("Hikma"), the fast growing multinational pharmaceutical group, today announces that it has agreed to acquire the Egyptian Company for Pharmaceuticals & Chemical Industries ("EPCI") from a consortium of shareholders.  Hikma will pay an aggregate cash consideration of EGP 142.4 million upon closing, or approximately USD 22.2 million, based on the current exchange rate.[1]

The acquisition of EPCI:

·     Strengthens Hikma's position in the large and fast growing Egyptian market

·     Adds a complementary portfolio of 35 products^[2] in 46 dosage forms and strengths, including 3 original cephalosporin anti-infective brands for the Egyptian market

·     Enhances Hikma's portfolio in key therapeutic areas such as cephalosporin anti-infectives, central nervous system and alimentary tract and provides entry into the ophthalmology market

·     Adds a dedicated cephalosporin facility and an additional general formulation manufacturing plant in Egypt

·     Leverages Hikma's established market position in Egypt and strong sales and marketing team 

The Egyptian pharmaceutical market is one of the largest and fastest growing MENA markets.  According to IMS Health,[3] the private retail market is valued at around $2.3 billion and grew by 10.6% in the twelve months to June 2012.  With a population of approximately 84[4] million

people, the Egyptian market offers excellent growth opportunities.  Hikma Egypt is currently the seventeenth largest pharmaceutical manufacturer in Egypt, with an estimated market share of 1.6%.[5]

Commenting on the transaction, Said Darwazah, CEO of Hikma said, "Since we entered the Egyptian market in 2007, we have been rapidly growing our presence.  This acquisition will further accelerate that growth, expanding our product portfolio and adding additional manufacturing capacity and technologies.  We continue to strengthen our position as the leading regional manufacturer in MENA and to pursue other value-creating acquisition opportunities in the region."

Closing is expected to occur before February 14^th 2013 and is conditional on fulfillment of conditions precedent.

HC Securities and Investment, the Cairo-based investment bank, acted as advisor to Hikma on this acquisition.

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Enquiries

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC

Susan Ringdal, Investor Relations Director                                          [phone]/ 07776 477 050

Lucinda Henderson, Investor Relations Manager                              [phone]/ 07818 060 211

FTI Consulting                                                                                                   [phone]

Ben Atwell /Julia Phillips/Jonathan Birt/Matthew Cole

About Hikma

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC is a fast growing multinational pharmaceutical group focused on developing, manufacturing and marketing a broad range of both branded and non-branded generic and in-licensed products.  Hikma's operations are conducted through three businesses: "Branded", "Injectables" and "Generics" based principally in the Middle East and North Africa ("MENA") region, where it is a market leader, the United States and Europe.  In 2011, Hikma achieved revenues of $918.0 million and profit attributable to shareholders of $80.1 million. 

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[1] The actual US dollar cash consideration will depend on the US dollar/ Egyptian Pound exchange rate on the date of closing

[2] EPCI has a portfolio of 35 products, of which 27 are new products to Hikma Egypt

[3] IMS Health MAT 06/2012

[4] The CIA World Factbook, July 2012 estimate

[5] IMS Health YTD 06/2012

 

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