Copenhagen, 2014-02-05 08:31 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
ALK (ALKB:DC / OMX: ALK B / AKABY / AKBLF): Revenue and operating profit (EBITDA) were in line with expectations and ALK met its full-year outlook. Total revenue was DKK 2,244 million (2,345) and EBITDA before special items reached DKK 258 million (306).
2013 was characterised by challenging European markets but ALK succeeded in increasing its market shares and growing its European revenue. Product sales outside Europe also continued to grow. Significant progress was made towards the approval of the first two SLIT-tablets in the USA (GRASTEK™ and RAGWITEK™), and the new SLIT-tablet — targeting house dust mite-induced allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma — is on course for a European filing in 2014.
ALK expects to grow revenue and increase EBITDA in 2014. EBITDA is expected to be DKK 225-400 million before special items and income from product supply and potential sales royalties in North America. The higher end of this range assumes three product development milestone payments from Merck, ALK's partner for North America. Additionally, ALK may recognise income from product supply and sales royalties in North America which have not been included in this outlook. Revenue, excluding SLIT-tablets and related milestone payments in North America, is projected to be DKK 2.15-2.2 billion.
The Board of Directors proposes a dividend of DKK 5 per share to the annual general meeting.
See page 4 in the attached annual report for highlights of Q4 and full-year 2013.
Audio cast
Today, ALK hosts a meeting for analysts and institutional investors at 2.00 p.m. (CET) at which Management will review the financial results, the outlook and answer questions. The meeting will be audio cast on www.alk-abello.com/investor.
Participants in the audio cast are kindly requested to call in before 1.55 p.m. (CET). Danish participants should dial in on tel. +45 7026 5040 or +45 7027 9009 and international participants should dial in on tel. +44 20 8817 9301. The audio cast is available live on our website, where the related presentation will be available shortly before the meeting begins.
ALK-Abelló A/S
Jens Bager
President and CEO
For further information please contact:
Jens Bager, President and CEO, tel. +45 4574 7576
Investor Relations: Per Plotnikof, tel. +45 4574 7527, mobile +45 2261 2525
Press: Martin Barlebo, tel. +45 4574 7901, mobile +45 2064 1143