Ad-hoc | 27 May 2002 21:30

Asclepion-Meditec AG english

Sales in first half of the year at same level as in previous year Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– Sales in first half of the year at same level as in previous year Orders on hand grow by 62% — Operative break-even almost reached — Extraordinary income contributes to net income In the first six months of the 2001/2002 financial year (as of 30.9) Asclepion- Meditec (securities Id. no.: 531 370) posted sales revenues of EUR 23.3 million (previous year: EUR 23.5 million). The company succeeded in increasing its sales in Europe and Asia. However, sales in the USA declined to a considerable degree due to problems associated with the US distribution partner U.S. Medical, Inc. and as a consequence of the negative political and economic developments in the key markets of South America and the Middle East. Orders on hand as of 31 March 2002 amounted to EUR 8.4 million (previous year: EUR 5.2 million). With an operating result (EBIT) of EUR -5,000 in the first six months (previous year: EUR 0.8 million) Asclepion was able to almost break even in the operating area. With the function costs it was possible to attain further savings, and in particular with the general and administrative costs. The increase in research and development expenses resulted from the intensification of work on development projects which are to be concluded in the foreseeable future. The selling and marketing expenses have increased through special effects. Among these are repurchasing of laser systems due to financial reasons which had to be posted in this item. Extraordinary income made a large contribution to the net income. In the first six months of the current financial year Asclepion posted a surplus of EUR 0.2 million (previous year: EUR 0.8 million). The earnings per share are thus EUR 0.03 (previous year: EUR 0.12). Asclepion has liquid and near-liquidity funds of EUR 45.5 million. The equity ratio of Asclepion is 72%. —Outlook— By merging with Carl Zeiss Ophthalmic, Asclepion is expecting to make considerable progress towards fast and extensive marketing of its technology potential. A number of working groups are already looking at measures designed to facilitate the rapid integration of both companies and exploitation of synergies. The implementation of sales synergies is the main focus of the merger. —Contact— Asclepion-Meditec AG, IR, Jens Brajer, Phone: +49 (3641) 220105, Fax: +49 (3641) 220102, E-Mail: investors@asclepion.com end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 27.05.2002 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 531 370; ISIN: DE0005313704; Index: Listed: Neuer Markt in Frankfurt; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München, Stuttgart 272130 Mai 02