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APNASPENAspen Pharmacare Hldgs20800-274 (-1.30%)

Aspen is in a closed period from 1 January until the publication of our interim results on the JSE SENS platform to be released on 4 March 2024.

Business Segment

Sterile Focus Brands

Aspen’s Sterile Focus Brands encompass a diverse range of trusted post-patent pharmaceutical products designed primarily for acute hospital settings. This diverse portfolio places a strong emphasis on sterile preparations and covers critical medical areas such as anaesthetic and thrombosis therapies.

Overview

Brand Description
Diprivan

General anaesthetic

Emla

Local anaesthetic

Fraxiparine

Low molecular weight heparin

Marcaine

Regional and spinal anaesthetic

Ultiva

Opioid analgesic

Xylocaine

Regional anaesthetic

Sterile Focus Brands Revenue
2023
R’million
2022 (CER)
R’million
Change
%

Revenue

10 588

10 253

3

Gross profit percentage

60,6%

60,7%

Sterile Focus Brands first half performance was negatively impacted by the COVID lockdowns in China and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. However, the second half enjoyed a strong rebound with reported revenue increasing by 14% (CER +2%) compared to H2 2022. This positive turnaround was primarily driven by improved performance in the Americas and the lifting of lockdowns in China resulting in a robust second-half performance relative to the corresponding prior year. Full year revenue grew by 3% (CER -6%) to R10 588 million aided by the strong second half performance and exchange rate tailwinds.

 

The gross profit percentage of 60,6% was closely aligned with the previous financial year (FY2022: 60,7%) despite inflationary and logistical pressures, external supplier challenges and the negative impact of VBP in China. Continued cost of goods savings from insourcing anaesthetic production and a favourable sales mix have been key contributors.

Revenue and EBITDA performance in FY2024 is anticipated to be adversely impacted by potential VBP risk in China on two products being Fraxiparine and Diprivan. To mitigate this VBP risk, potential acquisitive opportunities are being actively explored to diversify and de-risk the product portfolio in that country on a sustainable long-term basis.

 

The plan to transfer a large  proportion of our anaesthetic portfolio from third-party contractor sites to Aspen-owned facilities in South Africa, France, and Germany has progressed with estimated cumulative savings of R400 million being achieved since inception. Delays in the South African and French facilities, primarily due to the reprioritisation of vaccine production and disruptions caused by COVID in previous years, have been particularly impactful. Consequently, the completion timeline and the extent of cost-saving advantages have extended beyond the initially communicated target of the 2024 financial year. This extension now spans an additional 18 to 24 months with a further R400 million of savings expected over the FY2024, FY2025 and FY2026 financial years.

Closed Period

Aspen is in a closed period from 1 January until the publication of our interim results on the JSE SENS platform scheduled to be released on 1 March 2023.

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