Share Price:

APNASPENAspen Pharmacare Hldgs149600 (0.00%)

Aspen is in a closed period from 1st July 2026 until the publication of the annual results on the JSE SENS platform on the 2nd September 2026.

Transactions

Aspen divests of its Japanese operations for up to R6.5 billion

Johannesburg – JSE Limited listed Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (APN), a global multinational specialty and branded pharmaceutical company, is pleased to announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Aspen Global Incorporated (“AGI”), has concluded an agreement to divest of Aspen’s Japanese operations and related intellectual property to Sandoz, a Novartis Division, for a cash consideration of up to EUR 400 million/ ZAR 6.5 billion (translated at ZAR16.37 to EUR, exchange rate subject to change) (“the Transaction”). It is anticipated that the Transaction will complete during the first half of calendar year 2020 (second half of Aspen’s 2020 financial year). Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive said, “This Transaction complements our stated strategic intent to focus on our core pharmaceutical business in markets that offer scale and alignment to our business model. Although our Japanese-based operations do not provide appropriate scale and leverage in relation to this focus, the strong management team, dedicated staff, specialty portfolio and the commercial platform represent an excellent opportunity for Sandoz when combined with their Japanese portfolio and product pipeline.” AGI has also entered into a five-year Manufacturing and Supply Agreement with Sandoz (with an additional two-year extension option at the election of Sandoz), which will take effect from completion of the transaction, for the supply of active pharmaceutical ingredients, semi-finished and finished products related to the portfolio of divested brands. Aspen Japan’s operations contributed ZAR 2.1 billion in revenue and ZAR 0.4 billion in normalised EBITDA to the Group for the year ended 30 June 2019. The Net Asset Value of the Japanese operations was approximately ZAR 4.8 billion as at 30 June 2019. In terms of the Transaction, the disposal of Aspen’s Japanese operations comprises of the following elements: Proceeds The payment of the purchase consideration in terms of the Transaction has been structured as follows: The upfront cash consideration is subject to customary adjustments for net cash/debt and working capital in AJKK on completion; The deferred conditional consideration relates to milestone payments to be made to AGI contingent upon achieving certain supply criteria and licensing opportunities. It is expected that all milestones earned will have been received by 31 December 2023. The net proceeds from the Transaction will be used to further reduce debt. Conditions precedent and completion The Transaction is conditional upon the fulfilment of the customary conditions precedent applicable to transactions of this nature, the more material of which are: Ends Issued by:                     Shauneen Beukes, Aspen Group Communications Manager                                     Tel: +27 (012) 661-8467 : Cell: +27 82 389 8900 On Behalf Of:                Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive                                     Tel: +27 (031) 580-8603                                     Gus Attridge, Aspen Deputy Group Chief Executive                                     Tel: +27 (031) 580-8605                                     Samer Kassem, Chief Executive, Aspen Global Incorporated                                     Tel: +230 209-3333                                     Luresha Chetty, Aspen Corporate Affairs Executive                                     Tel: +27 (031) 580-8637

Read More
Transactions

Aspen opens anaesthetic building as part of €100 million investment at its French-based site

Johannesburg – JSE Limited listed Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (APN), a global multinational specialty pharmaceutical company, has expanded its specialist sterile production site at Notre Dame de Bondeville in France to augment the Group’s global manufacturing facilities. Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive said, “The new state-of-the-art facility for anaesthetics, together with the new high-speed pre-filled syringe filling and automatic visual inspection lines for thrombosis products, comprise a substantial part of the €100 million investment. The investment in infrastructure at our Notre Dame de Bondeville site will create additional capacity including 80 million individual units of blow fill seal anaesthetics and 180 million pre-filled syringes annually with commercial production expected to begin in 2020. Anaesthetics and thrombosis are two of the Group’s therapeutic focus categories and this investment will support supply sustainability as well as eliminate associated stock constraints being experienced.” To date more than €160 million has been invested at the Notre Dame de Bondeville site and once all the investments are fully operational the site will yield a total capacity of approximately 450 million individual units per year. Anaesthetic products currently manufactured in Sweden and Australia by third party or contract manufacturers will be transferred to Notre Dame de Bondeville and this may generate recruitment opportunities for up to 100 additional employees.

Read More

Aspen launches novel ARV Combination: Set to further improve treatment options

Johannesburg: Aspen Pharmacare, South Africa’s leading JSE-listed pharmaceutical company, is pleased to announce the launch of EmdoltenTM, a Dolutegravir-based triple combination anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment option. EmdoltenTM, a once a day triple combination tablet therapy in the form of Dolutegravir, Lamivudine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate, is positioned to become a preferred first line ARV and will be available in 50mg, 300mg/300mg dosage strengths. Stavros Nicolaou, Aspen Senior Executive, Strategic Trade, said, “There has been significant excitement at a clinician, funder and patient level about the use of Dolutegravir, a second generation integrase inhibitor, which offers clinical and safety profile benefits. EmdoltenTM enhances Aspen’s HIV product offering in South Africa and has the potential to improve the lives of millions of South Africans presently on ARV treatment. As part of our ARV leadership, we were able to introduce the first Dolutegravir and Dolutegravir-containing combinations into the South African market over 18 months ago.  This represents a further refinement of Dolutegravir-containing combinations.” “Aspen pioneered the development and manufacture of generic ARVs in South Africa in the early 2000s, when our country was grappling with HIV denial and the potentially destructive consequences of an un-arrested HIV pandemic.  Prior to this, ARV’s, which were then patent protected, were inaccessible to the majority of these patients.” Aspen’s pioneering efforts resulted in the accelerated introduction of South Africa’s public ARV programme which has contributed to the successful treatment of hundreds of thousands of patients afflicted with HIV and AIDS. “Since the launch of Aspen Stavudine, our first generic ARV in August 2003, we have continued to be an anchor supplier of ARVs to both the South African public and private sectors, a leadership position we have maintained through extensive manufacturing investment into the local economy and the introduction of an ongoing pipeline of ARV products. This has enabled Aspen to bring the latest ARV innovations to market, providing patients and healthcare professionals with the most advanced ARV treatment options for patients’ specific needs,” added Nicolaou. Issued by: Shauneen Beukes, Aspen Group Communications Manager Tel: +27 12 6618467 Cell: 082 389 8900 On Behalf Of: Stavros Nicolaou, Senior Executive, Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd Cell: 082 458 3135

Read More

Aspen meets with French Prime Minister Philippe and members of his cabinet

Aspen was one of the few companies invited by French Prime Minister Edward Philippe to attend the Health Industry Strategic Meeting on 9 July 2018 at the Matignon, Paris – the official office of the Prime Minister. Represented by Stavros Nicolaou and Fabrice Jover, Aspen had an opportunity to hold brief discussions with Prime Minister Philippe; Minister of Health, Dr Agnes Buzyn; French Junior Minister for Economy, Finance and Trade, Delphine Geny-Stephann and other officials. During these discussions Aspen was able to highlight its ongoing French production investment through its Notre Dame de Bondeville manufacturing site and its continued commitment to supplying quality, affordable and accessible medicines, most of which are life-saving, to the citizens of France and the European Union. Aspen has capacity to manufacture over 250 million pre-filled injectable thrombosis syringes for global distribution from this French-based site, and it is in the process of installing new capacity at the same site to manufacture anaesthetic products. During the meeting Minister Philippe also made certain announcements with respect to future pricing of pharmaceutical product in the French market.

Read More

Aspen opens R1 billion high containment facility

Port Elizabeth – JSE Limited-listed Aspen Pharmacare (APN), South Africa’s largest pharmaceutical company, officially opened its R1 billion Port Elizabeth-based high containment facility earlier today. Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive said, “Aspen continues its evolution into a global specialty manufacturer of niche products requiring complex technologies. The high potency manufacturing facility we are opening today represents such complex technologies, providing Aspen with the opportunity to expand it exports with products which are used for rare indications.  Initial production in this facility is planned for Alkeran, Leukeran and Purinethol (treatment of late stage cancers), Imuran (prevention of organ tissue rejection in liver and kidney transplants as well as treatment of certain autoimmune diseases) and Benztropine (treatment of Parkinson’s disease).” Saad added, “The commissioning of this facility further cements Aspen’s position as the largest private investor in the South African pharmaceutical industry, with its current manufacturing operations constituting a significant portion of the installed pharmaceutical volume capacity in our country. Aspen’s ongoing investment in its South African manufacturing sites bolsters the introduction of new technologies, the addition of skilled employment opportunities and the enhancement of our country’s export capability.” Officiating at the opening, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, said the investment will significantly strengthen our country’s capacity as a manufacturer of quality pharmaceutical products. “Aspen’s expansion into the High Potency Facility will enable the manufacture of products not previously produced locally and also add to the export capacity of Aspen contributing to the overall growth of the pharmaceutical sector and will potentially have a positive impact on lowering the current trade deficit within this sector,” said Davies. Minister Davies added that the facility will further enhance both South Africa and Aspen’s status in terms of regional and continental trade. “Aspen is a leading global producer of regulated hormonal products and a leader in infant nutrition products in select emerging markets. With this new facility, it is anticipated that around 95% of these new products are to be exported with target markets in Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa with the first exports expected to Europe as the first regulatory approvals were from Europe.  The new high potency manufacture facility will provide Aspen with niche-type capability to offer the market specialised therapeutics and increase its footprint within the global pharmaceutical environment,” said Minister Davies.” Aspen’s operations in the Eastern Cape employ over 2500 people of which 2000 are at the Port Elizabeth site with more than 90% of these employees being recruited from local communities. The high containment facility, together with the new sterile facility being built at the same site, will provide for some 500 additional jobs. In order to ensure world class training capabilities in its employees, Aspen is in the process of establishing a Training Academy. The intention is to give Aspen employees the opportunity to attain national accredited qualifications in pharmaceutical manufacture. The 23,000m² facility has been audited by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority and the German regulator, Landesamt für soziale Dienste des Landes Schleswig-Holstein (LAsD) both of which have granted the requested approval. At full capacity, the high containment facility is expected to produce approximately 3.6 billion tablets annually and package some 3 million bottles per month.   Issued jointly by the Department of Trade and Industry and Aspen Pharmacare Download a PDF version of this document here. About Aspen Aspen is a leading global player in specialty, branded and generic pharmaceuticals with an extensive basket of products that provide treatment for a broad spectrum of acute and chronic conditions experienced through all stages of life. With an acknowledged presence of nearly 2 decades in the pharmaceutical sector, Aspen remains committed to its core values of providing quality and effective healthcare solutions to millions of patients in more than 150 countries, with its core focus being in the Thrombosis, Anaesthetic, High Potency & Cytotoxic and Nutritional therapeutic categories. Aspen has a strong presence in both emerging and developed countries. Its emerging market footprint includes Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, China, South East Asia, Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, comprising Russia and the former Soviet Republics. It is also a leading pharmaceutical company in developed countries including Australia and most notably in Western Europe. Aspen operates with an established business presence in approximately 50 countries spanning 6 continents and employs more than 10,000 people. The Group operates 25 manufacturing facilities across 17 sites. Aspen holds international manufacturing approvals from some of the most stringent global regulatory agencies including the FDA, TGA and EMA. Aspen’s manufacturing capabilities are scalable to demand and cover a wide variety of product-types including oral solid dose, liquids, semi-solids, steriles, biologicals, APIs and infant nutritionals. With a market capitalisation of approximately $10 billion, Aspen is the largest pharmaceutical company listed on the JSE Limited (share code: APN) and ranks amongst the top 20 listed companies on this exchange.  For more information visit www.aspenpharma.com

Read More

CNBC Exclusive with Aspen CEO Stephen Saad

Aspen Pharmacare billionaire Steven Saad opens up with the inside story of the fall of his shares. Exclusive on CNBC Africa first in business worldwide. CNBC Exclusive with Aspen CEO Stephen Saad from Aspen Pharmacare Pty Limited on Vimeo.

Read More

Aspen cleared of alleged anti-competitive behavior by DA

Durban – JSE Limited-listed Aspen Pharmacare (APN), a leading pharmaceutical company in the southern hemisphere, has welcomed the statement issued by the Democratic Alliance (“DA”) earlier today in which it has confirmed that it is satisfied that there is no evidence that Aspen has engaged in alleged anti-competitive behavior as per the DA’s statement issued on 19 April 2017. The statement issued by the DA on 29 May follows below: Competition Commission investigates conduct of all pharmaceutical companies operating in South Africa and BRICS The DA welcomes the Competition Commission’s preliminary investigation into the market conduct of all pharmaceutical companies operating in South Africa and in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, Brazil, India, China and South Africa) consortium. The World Bank has raised concerns about cartel-like practices that tend to drive medicine prices upwards and this requires investigation. Following extensive high-level engagements between Aspen Pharmacare and the Health Portfolio of the Democratic Alliance, necessitated by a previous press release, the DA is satisfied that there is no evidence that Aspen is involved in the same practices that they are accused of having pursued in Europe.

Read More

Aspen concludes strategic M.O.U with the Russian Federation

Windhoek, Namibia – JSE Limited listed Aspen Pharmacare (APN), a leading pharmaceutical company in the southern hemisphere, has announced that a memorandum of understanding (“M.O.U”) has been concluded between Aspen’s Russian business and the Vladivostok Far Eastern Federal University (“F.E.F.U”). The Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Mr. Yury Trutnev, who has delegated authority from the Russian President for the Far Eastern Federal Region of Russia, oversaw proceedings and committed the region and university to this collaborative effort. Stavros Nicolaou, Aspen Senior Executive Strategic Trade Development said, “The Group welcomes this latest collaboration with the Russian Federation which further complements existing relations with that country. The M.O.U provides for cooperative efforts to improve the quality of education and contribute towards advanced innovative technology in the fields of thrombosis and anaesthesia through joint training and research efforts with the FEFU. The goal of the programme is to decrease the mortality rate of thrombotic events and to increase the quality of anaesthesia use in the Russian Federation. This will improve the life expectancy of Russian citizens in the medium to long term, as clinicians will have access to some of the newest low molecular weight heparin technology, which has an improved safety profile against older interventions.” Aspen was established in the Russian Federation in 2013 and employs over 150 specialist representatives  detailing critical medicine areas that include anti-thrombosis and anaesthesiology. One of the principle products in Aspen’s thrombosis therapeutic portfolio is Fraxiparine (Nadroparine Calcium), which substantially diminishes the risk of the formation of life-threatening blood clots. This low molecular weight heparin is manufactured through a complex process and provides one of the best in class safety and efficacy anti-thrombotic profiles. Aspen is in discussion with the Ministry of Health for the inclusion of Fraxiparine on the Russian Federation Essential Drug List. The use of anti-thrombotic agents in the Russian Federation is approximately 10% of that of the European Union. In 2015 Aspen commenced technology transfer for the Russian-based manufacture of Fraxiparine through its Russian partner Nanolek L.L.C, which is in the Kirov region of Russia.  Aspen’s products are distributed throughout the Russian Federation.

Read More

Media Enquiries

Shauneen Beukes
Group Communications Consultant
+27 31 580 8600
+27 82 389 8900
sbeukes@aspenpharma.com

Share on social

Follow on social

Closed Period

Aspen is in a closed period from 1st January 2026 until the publication of the interim results on the JSE SENS platform on the 3rd March 2026.

The live presentation will take place in Cape Town at 08h30 on 2 March 2023.

Corporate

Our career opportunities are across the corporate spectrum, including Human Capital, Digital Technology, Legal, and Risk & Sustainability. Our employees are given the opportunity to hone their skills and develop the experience of excellence in their chosen field in the pharmaceutical industry.

View our teams below: