AGM Trading Statement

Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc 25 May 2006 Annual General Meeting of Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC AGM Trading Update LONDON, 25 May 2006 - Samih Darwazah, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC ('Hikma') (LSE: HIK) (DIFX: HIK), will today give the following trading update to shareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting in London: The Group is performing well, supported by the development of new markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and strong injectable sales. The Group has received a number of product approvals since the start of the year, including the approval of 5 ANDAs in the Generic business. We continue to invest in R&D and sales and marketing across all of our businesses and see this as key to supporting the longer term development of the Group. Branded Pharmaceuticals The Group's Branded Pharmaceutical business is performing well. Sales are developing positively, particularly in Saudi Arabia. We are seeing growth in newer markets like Sudan and UAE and launched our products in Yemen earlier this year. We expect these new markets will make an increasing contribution to Branded sales over the course of the year. As anticipated, the implementation of a new reference pricing system in Algeria has created an element of uncertainty in the Algerian market, resulting in lower than normal wholesaler and pharmacy inventory levels. Whilst this has impacted sales, we believe that we will be able to offset this over the course of the year, as the Algerian market stabilises and through strong performances in other markets across the MENA region. We continue to seek opportunities to consolidate our position in the MENA region, as demonstrated by the agreement signed in April to buy the remaining 52.5% of JPI, our Saudi Arabian associate, for approximately $21 million. Through this acquisition we will be well-positioned to benefit from the strong growth we are seeing in pharmaceutical markets across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. In the four months to 30 April 2006, the Branded business received 16 regulatory approvals across the MENA markets, 5 of which were for new products. In addition, the Branded business launched one new product under-licence and signed one new licensing agreement. Injectable Pharmaceuticals The Group's Injectable Pharmaceutical business has had a good start to the year, with strong sales growth across all targeted regions. In the four months to 30 April 2006, the Injectables business received 18 product approvals, including 10 for new products, and three new products were launched. In the United States we have set up a specialised distribution company, Hikma Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc., with a dedicated sales force for injectables. Across the Injectables business, we continue to benefit from ongoing investment in sales and marketing. Generic Pharmaceuticals In our Generic Pharmaceuticals business, the operating environment in the United States remains highly competitive, with pricing pressure continuing as expected. We remain focused on reducing our raw material costs to help mitigate this challenging market environment. In the four months to 30 April 2006, the Generics business received 5 ANDA approvals, including 3 for new products. Further approvals and product launches are anticipated later this year. Overall, we remain confident in our ability to deliver strong growth for the full year. - ENDS - Enquiries: Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC Susan Ringdal +44 20 7399 2770 Investor Relations Director Brunswick Group Jon Coles / Wendel Verbeek / Justine McIlroy / Alex Tweed +44 20 7404 5959 About Hikma Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC is a multinational pharmaceutical group focused on developing, manufacturing and marketing a broad range of both branded and non-branded generic and in-licensed pharmaceutical products. Hikma's operations are conducted through three businesses: Generic, Branded and Injectable Pharmaceuticals. Hikma's operations are based principally in the United States, the Middle East and North Africa ('MENA') region and Europe. In 2005, the Group had revenue of $262 million and profit attributable to shareholders of $44 million. At 31 December 2005, the Group had over 1,800 employees. For news and other information, please visit www.hikma.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange RNKRVUAR
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