16th Mar 2005 07:00
Alliance Pharma PLC16 March 2005 For immediate release: 16th March 2005 ALLIANCE PHARMA PLC ("Alliance" or "the Company") PRE-CLOSE TRADING UPDATE Alliance Pharma plc, the emerging speciality pharmaceutical company, is pleasedto provide a trading update prior to entering its closed period for the fullyear to 28 February 2005. Profits are anticipated to be within the range of analysts' expectations. Salesfor the year ending 28 February 2005 are expected to be in the region of £11.8million, up from £10.4 million last year. Trading performance is showing sales growth of 13%, over the same period in theprevious financial year. Growth on a like-for-like basis was 7%, with a further6% growth being achieved through acquisitions. The company made two acquisitions in November 2004: Forceval, a prescriptionmultivitamin and mineral supplement that is licensed and reimbursed on the NHSin the UK and sold to various other overseas markets via distributors, andPeriostat, a pharmaceutical treatment for periodontitis, for the UK and all theother countries in the European Union as well as Switzerland, Israel, SouthAfrica, Australia and New Zealand. In the four months since the acquisitions of Forceval and Periostat, the Companyis pleased to announce that sales of both products have been in line withexpectations. Since acquisition, Alliance Pharma has strengthened therelationships with the international distributors and the order book forinternational sales going forward is in line with its expectations. To driveForceval's international expansion, the Company is looking forward to announcingthe appointment of a Head of the International Division within the next fewweeks. Similarly, to start to unlock the potential within Periostat, theappointment of the Head of the Dental Division will be announced shortly The registration trial programme for Alliance's development drug, misoprostolfor the induction of labour (APL202), which commenced in January, is continuingaccording to plan. Approvals are expected soon to permit the trials programmefor Melatonin for sleep disorders (APL 510) to commence. John Dawson, CEO of Alliance Pharma, commented: "2004 has been another important year for Alliance. We have continued ourgrowth and further strengthened our portfolio. Periostat, in particular, hastremendous growth potential. Good progress has also been made on ourdevelopment projects, adding greatly to our mid-term prospects". Preliminary results for the 12 month period to 28 February 2005 will beannounced on Thursday 12th May 2005. - ends - For further information: Alliance Pharma plcJohn Dawson, CEO01249 466966 Beattie FinancialJohn Moriarty020 7398 3300 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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