Corporate | 26 January 2004 12:04

Biotest generates EUR 222 million turnover in 2003

Corporate-news announcement processed and sent by DGAP. The sender is solely responsible for the contents of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– Biotest generates EUR 222 million turnover in 2003 Dreieich, January 26, 2004. The Pharmaceutical division (excluding Diaclone) and Diagnostic division of Biotest AG, which specialises in the development, production and marketing of therapeutics and diagnostic systems and focuses on clinical immunology, haematology and intensive care, generated a turnover of EUR 222 million in the 2003 financial year. Although the sales trend, which had been falling over the year, did not continue into the last quarter of 2003 and at EUR 58 million almost reached the strong level generated in the first quarter, the annual turnover was 8 % lower than the previous year at EUR 242 million. The fall came almost exclusively from the Pharmaceutical division where the EUR 146 million turnover was 12 % lower than in the previous year (EUR 167 million). This was caused by the fall in prices for plasma products, regulatory intervention in various national health systems and the strength of the euro against the US dollar. In addition, tenders for which we applied but were not awarded also had a negative effect on the turnover generated by this division. In spite of the generally difficult market environment sales in the Diagnostic division continued to stabilise and at EUR 76 million (+/- 0 %) were the same as the previous year. Domestic (+ 7 %) and European (+ 5 %) growth compensated for substantial falls in sales in the USA and Middle East resulting from the rise in the dollar exchange rate. Biotest will publish its annual results on 2nd April. Biotest AG Management Board Biotest AG, Landsteinerstr. 5, D-63303 Dreieich, Germany For inquiries, please contact: Head of IR/Marketing Services Hubert Bötsch Tel. +49 6103 801-444 Fax +49 6103 801-880 Email: hubert_boetsch@biotest.de end of message, (c)DGAP 26.01.2004 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 522720; ISIN: DE0005227201; Index: Listed: Amtlicher Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg und Stuttgart 261204 Jän 04