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APNASPENAspen Pharmacare Hldgs14538-111 (-0.76%)

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.

Press Releases

Department of Health and PHEF celebrate investment in human resources

The South African National Department of Health (NDoH) and the Public Health Enhancement Fund (PHEF) celebrated their investment in human resources for health in honour of the late Prof Bongani Mayosi on 30 April 2019. The public and private healthcare sector leaders and professionals converged in honour of post-graduate and medical doctors from various healthcare disciplines at an event held at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Johannesburg. Stavros Nicolaou, Aspen Pharmacare Senior Executive Strategic Trade and Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi The Ministers of Health and Higher Education presided over this event following a social compact between the National Department of Health and 22 healthcare companies, which constitute the PHEF, signed on 8th November 2012 to improve the delivery of healthcare, address debilitating diseases and improve accessibility to medical schools for disadvantaged communities. “We are trying to reverse the damage caused by Bantu education and other disadvantages,” Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi had stated as he signed the agreement five years ago, having convened a group of 22 CEOs in the health sector to focus their attention on building human capital for the country. The PHEF was subsequently designed for the production of post graduates in health, especially at PhD level to improve health research. The objective of the PHEF is threefold: To this end, three programmes were mutually agreed between the National Department of Health and the 22 private companies, who set up the joint PHEF which would fund the programmes. This programme includes the National Health Scholars Programme (NHSP), and is a partnership between the PHEF, the NDoH and the South African Research Medical Council (SAMRC). The SAMRC administers the NHSP, the programme has produced 47 graduates (87% of which are PhDs) in various health professions. The NHSP, which was chaired by the late Professor Bongani Mayosi, is a national asset and flagship programme for advancing the next generation of African health and clinical scientists. He championed the scholarship programme together with Minister Motsoaledi. In honour of one of the major contributions towards health transformation, Professor Mayosi was honoured for his immense contributions and lasting legacy by renaming the programme to the “Bongani Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme”. It was also unveiled by the two Ministers with the heads of medical schools and provincial health, also in attendance. To further demonstrate this public-private partnership as a critical element to nation building, social cohesion and improved healthcare outcomes, an initial R40 million was injected into the joint fund to finance the Social Compact to fund training and mentorship for aspiring medical students from disadvantaged communities. The allocation also included the training of PhDs and Master’s degrees with much focus on HIV/AIDS and TB. To date, over R200 million has been contributed to the fund by the partners, to ensure better health outcomes. As a result of this partnership, 20 post-graduate medical doctors graduated with PhD and Masters, which demonstrates what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together to address inequities in the healthcare system. A total of 107 post-graduate medical doctors (60 Masters and 47 PhDs) who have benefited from the programme since its inception. They are expected to contribute to the overall research and innovation capacity of the country, and to service constrained communities – a success story of the transformation of healthcare system. In his keynote address, Minister Motsoaledi iterated the importance of the public-private partnership. He said, “It is therefore crystal clear that we must build human capital to ensure that we are not left behind and I am pleased that the Public Health Enhancement Fund has been very productive and that today we can announce what we have achieved to date. I want to acknowledge the contribution of Prof Mayosi who was the first chair of the selection committee.” For more information, please contact: Mr Popo Maja: Spokesperson Ministry of Health Mobile: 072 585 3219/082 373 1169

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Aspen approved for secondary listing on A2X

Johannesburg – JSE Limited listed Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (APN), a global multinational specialty pharmaceutical company, has been approved for a secondary listing on A2X Markets with effect from 1 April 2019. Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive said, “We continually strive to identify ways to increase value for our shareholders and the complementary A2X listing offers investors trading benefits while simultaneously providing the prospect of increasing our shareholder base. We will retain our primary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and our issued share capital will be unaffected by the secondary listing.” A2X CEO, Kevin Brady said, “A2X is thrilled to have South Africa’s largest pharmaceutical company on board.  No doubt that Aspen will reap the benefits of a secondary listing, including the opportunity to attract potential new investors through A2X’s lower-cost trading structure and broadening their shareholder base.” A2X is a licensed stock exchange which provides a secondary listing venue for companies. It is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority and the Prudential Authority (SARB) in terms of the Financial Markets Act. A2X began trading in October 2017 and has nine approved brokers that account for about 50% of market activity.

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Aspen’s encouraging Emerging Market growth

Johannesburg – JSE Limited listed Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (APN), a global multinational specialty pharmaceutical company, has announced interim financial results for the six months ended 31 December 2018 in line with management’s expectations. Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive said, “Revenue increases from Anaesthetics in China and Latin America of 6% and 22% respectively have been very encouraging, despite the supply constraints experienced. China also delivered  strong revenue growth in the Thrombosis portfolio.” “The disposal of our Nutritionals business is nearing completion which will enable us to put all our focus on pharmaceuticals. We are conducting a strategic review of both our European and South African Commercial Pharma businesses and have already decided to split the latter into two distinct divisions to achieve heightened product and customer focus. The second phase of the South African review will focus on developing strategies specific to each division to optimise value delivery.” GROUP RESULTS Aspen’s earnings for the six months ended 31 December 2018 are in line with management’s expectations.  A good performance from Commercial Pharma in Emerging Markets is offset by a decline in revenue from Manufacturing (as guided in the September 2018 result announcement).  Earnings are diluted by higher financing costs. The published results record the impact of recent transactional activity and changes in accounting standards, namely:- In September 2018 Aspen announced that it had reached an agreement to divest of its Nutritionals Business to the Lactalis Group (“Lactalis”). Positive progress has been made in satisfying of the conditions precedent and all but one of the conditions which are reliant on third party consent had been fulfilled before the end of February 2019.  The outstanding third party condition relates to approval by New Zealand’s Overseas Investment Office for Lactalis to invest in that country.  The remaining conditions precedent are within the control of the parties. The parties are mutually committed to working towards a closing date for this transaction of 31 May 2019. The Nutritionals Business has accordingly been classified as discontinued and the related assets transferred to assets held for sale; The Group has concluded various agreements relating to the divestment and discontinuation of a non-core pharmaceutical portfolio in the Asia Pacific region. These products have also been classified as discontinued operations and the assets relating to this portfolio have been transferred to assets held for sale; and Aspen has adopted two new accounting standards, IFRS 9 (Financial instruments) and IFRS 15 (Revenue from contracts with customers) which have resulted in the re-statement of the disclosed comparable financial information for the six months ended 31 December 2017 and the year ended 30 June 2018. Relative movements in exchange rates had an impact on financial performance, as is illustrated in the table below which compares performance in the prior comparable period at previously reported exchange rates and then at constant exchange rates (“CER”).  The CER results for the six months ended 31 December 2017 re-state performance for that period using the average exchange rates for the six months ended 31 December 2018.     Six months ended 31 December   Continuing operations   Reported 2018 R’billion Reported 2017^ R’billion Change at reported rates % CER 2017^ R’billion Change 2018/2017 at CER     % Revenue 19 673 19 509 +1 19 743 0 Normalised EBITDA* 5 535 5 712 -3 5 616 -1 NHEPS (cents) 743 814 -9 792 -6 *Operating profit before depreciation and amortisation adjusted for specific non-trading items as defined in the Group’s accounting policy. ^ Restated for IFRS 9 & 15 implementation. In order to enhance comparability of relevant underlying performance, in this commentary, (1) all performance references are to continuing operations and (2) all December 2017 revenue numbers are stated in CER and all percentage changes in revenue between December 2018 and December 2017 are based on December 2017 CER revenue. SEGMENTAL PERFORMANCE Sterile Focus Brands Sterile Focus Brands, comprising the Anaesthetics and Thrombosis portfolios, delivered revenue in line with the prior comparable period at R7,8 billion. The gross profit from Sterile Focus Brands of R4,3 billion was at an improved gross margin percentage benefitting from lower Thrombosis manufacturing costs. Anaesthetics Brands Revenue from Anaesthetics was 1% lower at R4,4 billion. This is a sound performance given ongoing supply constraints affecting all major territories other than Japan. China (+6%) and Latin America (+22%) are the material regions driving growth. Supply limitations have adversely impacted sales in Europe CIS and Australasia.  Price decreases in Japan offset strong volume gains.  Supply is expected to improve from the commencement of the 2020 financial year and should be unconstrained midway through that year. Thrombosis Brands Thrombosis revenue of R3,4 billion is unchanged from the prior comparable period. Emerging Markets are up 7%, propelled by a strong performance in China, which offsets the declines in Developed Markets. Other Pharmaceuticals Other Pharmaceuticals, comprising Regional Brands and Manufacturing, deliver revenue of R11,9 billion, flat with the prior comparable period. Regional Brands Regional Brands, which comprise 45% of Group revenue, have shown growth of 3%.  The High Potency & Cytotoxic Brands have been reclassified under Regional Brands in line with a change to regional management of this portfolio. Revenue growth has been recorded in most territories, but this has been partially offset by pricing pressure on the oncology portfolio in Europe that also dilutes the margins. Manufacturing Manufacturing revenue declines 10% to R3,0 billion, primarily due to a tender lost in the prior year by one of Aspen’s major third party customers, as reported in the results announcement for the 2018 financial year, and the suspension of sales of heparin to third parties due to limited global availability.  Resultant lower volumes weigh on margins. FUNDING Borrowings, net of cash, has increased by R6,7 billion to R53,5 billion. R1,0 billion of this increase is the consequence of Rand weakness relative to foreign currency denominated loans.  Payments relating to acquisitions of R4,9 billion and capital expenditure of R1,5 billion have been the main other drivers of the higher debt levels.  The gearing ratio covenant measure is 4,43

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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

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Aspen’s participation in the 2018 Investment Conference

Sandton – Aspen welcomes President Ramaphosa’s inaugural Investment Conference, aimed at positioning South Africa as a preferred investment destination and at establishing a more predictable and stable investment environment in our country. Amongst other initiatives, this includes facilitating the ease of doing business and reducing unnecessary regulatory burden in the South African pharmaceutical sector. These initiatives are aimed at rewarding investors and contributing to higher levels of inclusive growth in the country. Following the positive sentiment from the President’s announcement of a $100bn investment target and his recently released economic stimulus measures, Aspen is pleased to announce an additional R3,4bn capital expenditure investment at its Port Elizabeth manufacturing site, South Africa’s single biggest pharmaceutical investment. “The President’s commitment to establishing a more predictable, stable investment environment and reducing regulatory burden in key economic sectors, such as the pharmaceutical sector, is very encouraging and supports Aspen’s decision to make this R3,4bn investment in sterile anaesthetics manufacture, a niche, high tech manufacturing capability that presents both domestic and export opportunities” said Stavros Nicolaou, Aspen Senior Executive, speaking at the conference. During the announcement at the conference, Nicolaou added, “While Aspen operates manufacturing plants in many geographies, it has chosen South Africa as the location for its largest and most critical manufacturing facilities. Aspen is encouraged by the South African Government’s investment direction, but a number of regulatory hurdles remain in the pharmaceutical sector. Our latest investment undertaking is a clear vote of confidence in the President’s commitment to resolving these hurdles and establishing a more conducive investment climate in the sector, bringing with it the momentum for further pharmaceutical investments.” Nicolaou concluded that, “Aspen has become one of the global leaders in a number of niche, specialty therapeutic segments, such as anaesthetic, high potency and injectable anti-coagulant products, which present highly specialised public and private health opportunities. The ongoing investment in our Port Elizabeth site will transform it into one of the world’s leading global hubs for anaesthetic products and will provide a tremendous economic boost for the Eastern Cape, one of the country’s most economically challenged provinces. This is an achievement that both Aspen and our country can be extremely proud of.” Issued by: Shauneen Beukes, Aspen Group Communications Manager Tel: +27 (012) 661-8467: Cell: +27 82 389 8900 On Behalf Of: Stavros Nicolaou Cell: 082 458 3135 Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive Tel: +27 (031) 580-8603 Gus Attridge, Aspen Deputy Group Chief Executive Tel: +27 (031) 580-8605 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. 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 and High Potency & Cytotoxic 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 26 manufacturing facilities across 18 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. 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: https://www.aspenpharma.com/ Disclaimer We may make statements that are not historical facts and relate to analyses and other information based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These are forward looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believe”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “intend”, “seek”, “will”, “plan”, “indicate, “could”, “may”, “endeavor”, “prospects” and “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. By their very nature, forward looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and there are risks that predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward looking statements will not be achieved. If one or more of these risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may be very different from those anticipated. The factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward looking statements are discussed in each year’s annual report. Forward looking statements apply only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not undertake other than in terms of the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited, any obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All profit forecasts published in this report are unaudited.

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Aspen supports the World Thrombosis Day campaign

Aspen remains committed to the World Thrombosis Day campaign to raise awareness of thrombosis as an urgent and growing public health problem. PARIS, FRANCE – Aspen has reinforced its commitment to fight thrombosis worldwide through its long-standing partnership with the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) World Thrombosis Day (WTD) campaign. This initiative aims to increase the awareness about the often overlooked and misunderstood condition of thrombosis. With thousands of educational events being hosted in more than 90 countries, WTD and its partners place a global spotlight on thrombosis as an urgent and growing public health problem. Troy Pople, Aspen Head of Group Marketing said, “Aspen is proud to be an active contributor to the WTD campaign. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is still considered to be the first cause of preventable deaths in hospital, with 10 million cases of VTE reported worldwide annually and with 600,000 deaths being recorded in Europe and the USA every year.” “The campaign’s objective is not only to help patients recognize symptoms and risk factors, but also to assist healthcare professionals (HPCs) to properly assess the potential risk of developing blood clots. This aligns closely to Aspen’s strong commitment to patients and HCPs, particularly with regards to thrombosis as it’s one of Aspen’s core therapeutic areas. We are excited to once again partner with the campaign in a joint effort to help reduce the burden of VTE which still causes the death of 1 out of 4 people worldwide.” “With up to 60% of all VTE events being hospital associated, we need to ensure that patients and care givers realise that VTE remains the leading cause of preventable hospital deaths, ahead of infection and pneumonia” said Gary Raskob, Chairman of the World Thrombosis Day Steering Committee. “In the UK and the USA, VTE kills more people each year than breast cancer, motor vehicle crashes and HIV/AIDS combined thus showcasing the importance of working together to build awareness.” Aspen recently announced important investments in its French-based manufacturing site in Notre Dame de Bondeville for new production lines to meet increasing demand of injectable anticoagulants and other products. “As the second largest manufacturer of injectable anticoagulants worldwide, we remain fully committed to WTD and patient care to go beyond our mission of being a trusted partner and proud provider of high quality products that include leading established anticoagulants,” said Troy Pople. In celebration of WTD, Aspen affiliates will host events across multiple continents together with HCPs to increase understanding of VTE and ensure that patients are aware of the risk factors; are able to identify the signs and symptoms and proactively engage HCPs about the risk and prevention of blood clots, especially if admitted to hospital or having a surgical procedure. For more information about World Thrombosis Day, visit www.worldthrombosisday.org. To learn more about Aspen, visit www.aspenpharma.com. MEDIA CONTACTS Aspen Group Shauneen Beukes Group Communications Manager +27 12 661 8467 SBeukes@aspenpharma.com   World Thrombosis Day Barbara Krolak, Relationship and Campaign Specialist International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis +1 919 929 3807 Barbara_Krolak@isth.org   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 20 years 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 and High Potency & Cytotoxic 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 26 manufacturing facilities across 18 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. 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. ABOUT WORLD THROMBOSIS DAY Launched in 2014 and held annually on 13 October, World Thrombosis Day (WTD) aims to increase public, healthcare professional and health care systems’ awareness of thrombosis and, ultimately, to reduce deaths and disabilities from thromboembolic disease through a greater awareness of its causes, risk factors, signs and symptoms, and evidence-based prevention and treatment. WTD’s mission supports the World Health Assembly’s global target of reducing premature deaths by non-communicable disease by 25 percent by 2025, as well as the WHO global action plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in the 2013-2020 timeframe. Visit www.worldthrombosisday.org for more information. ABOUT THE ISTH Founded in 1969, the ISTH is the leading worldwide not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of thrombotic and bleeding disorders. ISTH is an international professional membership organization with 4,000 clinicians, researchers and educators working together to improve the lives of patients in more than 93 countries around the world. Among its highly regarded activities and initiatives are education and standardization programs such as its Core Curriculum, research activities; meetings and congresses, peer-reviewed publications, expert committees and World Thrombosis Day on 13 October. Visit ISTH online at www.isth.org.

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Aspen’s revenue increases to R42.6 billion

Johannesburg – JSE Limited listed Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (APN), a leading global pharmaceutical company, has announced today, in conjunction with the announcement of its annual results for the year ended 30 June 2018, that it has concluded an agreement to divest of its global Nutritional Business to the Lactalis Group Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive said, “We are pleased to announce that an agreement has been signed to divest of our Nutritionals Business to French-based Lactalis Group, a leading multinational dairy corporation, for Euro 740 million (R12.9 billion at current exchange rates). The disposal is in line with our strategic intention to focus our attention on our core pharmaceutical business which includes the Anaesthetics, Thrombosis and High Potency & Cytotoxic portfolios. The heightened focus is expected to drive increased business efficiency and performance.” “This year we celebrate 20 years since we listed on the JSE. Over the past two decades we have evolved from being a domestic generics player to a global multi-national focusing on specialised niche products that are complex to manufacture. Generic products contribute less than 15% to the Group’s pharma revenue today and our strategic focus is on building our specialty portfolio.” DIVESTMENT OF GLOBAL NUTRITIONALS BUSINESS TO LACTALIS FOR EUR 739.8 MILLION With reference to Aspen’s earlier announcement wherein it advised that it had undertaken a strategic review of its Global Nutritionals Business predominantly carried on in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia Pacific under the S-26, Alula and Infacare brands (“Nutritionals Business”), Aspen is pleased to announce that it has concluded an agreement to divest of its Nutritionals Business to the Lactalis Group, a leading multinational dairy corporation based in Laval, France, for a fully funded cash consideration of EUR 739.8 million / R12.9 billion (translated at ZAR17.4/EUR) (“the Transaction”). The Lactalis Group is a privately owned, global leader in the dairy industry with revenue of EUR 18.4 billion, sales in over 200 countries, approximately 80 000 employees and 246 industrial plants in 47 different countries. Lactalis’ strategic intent is to develop a global infant nutritional business to complement their existing global product range. The transaction is considered to be a compelling opportunity for both the transferring Aspen employees as well as the shareholders of both Aspen and Lactalis. In terms of the Transaction, the disposal of the Nutritionals Business will comprise the following elements: Intellectual property and any related goodwill presently owned by: Aspen Holdings and Pharmacare Limited in respect of the South African and Sub-Saharan Africa Nutritionals Businesses; and Aspen Global Incorporated in respect of the Latin American and Asia Pacific Nutritionals Businesses; Tangible assets (including plant, leased immovable property, equipment, associated fixed assets and inventory) presently owned by various Aspen Group companies in respect of the South African, Sub- Saharan Africa and Latin American Nutritionals Businesses; Product registrations and retail registrations regarding Aspen’s nutritional products; Shares in companies conducting Aspen’s Nutritional Business across Asia Pacific (including the acquisition of shares held by joint venture partners in New Zealand and Hong Kong); and Transfer of dedicated Nutritionals staff employed within each of the geographical regions. Rationale Aspen’s disposal of the Nutritionals Business will allow the Aspen business units in Asia Pacific, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa to dedicate all of their time and attention to their core pharmaceutical businesses. This heightened focus is expected to drive increased business efficiency and performance. Aspen believes that Lactalis’ entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to develop a leading global position in infant nutrition will provide the Nutritional Business and the transferring Aspen employees with exciting future opportunities for growth and development. Financial information The Global Nutritional Business contributed ZAR 3.091 billion to Group revenue and ZAR 512 million to Group segmental contribution profit for the year ended 30 June 2018. The proceeds of EUR 739.8 million will be reduced by approximately EUR 62 million which will be utilised to buy-out Aspen’s joint venture partners in New Zealand and China. The balance of the proceeds from the Transaction, after costs and taxes, will be utilised to reduce Aspen’s gearing, creating greater headroom and capacity. Conditions precedent and completion The Transaction is conditional upon the fulfilment of a number of conditions precedent, the more material of which are the following: Approval by the Mexican and South African Competition/Anti-Trust authorities; South African Reserve Bank approval to the extent required under the Exchange Control Regulations; New Zealand and Australian foreign investment approvals to the extent required; Signature by Aspen and Lactalis of implementation agreements, including certain regional asset purchase and share purchase agreements with the various Aspen subsidiaries; and Signature or renewal of certain transitional service and other incidental agreements, some of which are with third parties. It is anticipated that the Transaction will complete within the next 6 months. Categorisation of the Transaction The Transaction is categorised as a Category 2 transaction in terms of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements. Withdrawal of Cautionary Announcement Aspen has advised shareholders that following the release of the full details of the divestment of the Nutritionals Business, shareholders no longer need to exercise caution when dealing in their Aspen securities in this regard. GROUP PERFORMANCE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018 Revenue increased by 3% to R42.6 billion. Normalised headline earnings per share (“NHEPS”) rose by 10% to 1604.9 cents. Normalised EBITDA increased by 5% to R12.0 billion. Earnings per share grew by 17% to 1316.6 cents. Headline earnings per share increased by 13% to 1468.8 cents. Operating cash flow per share increased by 8% to 1537.3 cents. Distribution to shareholders per share increased by 10% to 315.0 cents. Lower earnings in the second half of the year than in the first half were primarily influenced by the unfavourable impact of the strengthened ZAR. At constant exchange rates (“CER”), revenue in the second half of the financial year was in line with that of the first half. However, the stronger ZAR in the second half resulted in ZAR reported second half revenue being lower by R1.3 billion. Significant factors influencing performance

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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.

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Media Enquiries

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

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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.

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