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ALKALOID: Total consolidated sales in the first quarter of 2024 reached 79.9 million euros

Total consolidated sales of ALKALOID AD Skopje in the first quarter of 2024 reached 79.9 million euros, which is 13 percent higher compared to the same period last year.

Consolidated sales achieved in the domestic market increased by 11 percent, while the total consolidated export of the company grew by 14 percent. Of the total consolidated sales, 27 percent was achieved in N. Macedonia, while, on the other hand, 73 percent was achieved in foreign markets. By region, 26 percent was achieved in Southeast European countries, 24 percent in Western European countries (EU and EFTA), 22 percent in Eastern European countries (CIS, UKR..), and other markets accounted for 1 percent of total consolidated sales.

The largest increase in major export markets compared to last year was recorded in sales achieved in the United Kingdom, amounting to 1.9 million euros, which increased 4 times; followed by Georgia, where sales increased 3 times, and Ukraine, where they increased 2.5 times. This is followed by Hungary (65% growth), Romania (27% growth), Albania (27% growth), Poland (20% growth), Italy (12% growth), Croatia (11% growth), Armenia (10% growth), Slovenia (10% growth), Greece (10% growth), etc.

When viewed by product groups, the largest share in the structure of total consolidated sales comes from the pharmaceutical segment, specifically 91 percent, while the chemistry, cosmetics, and medicinal herbs segment contributes 9 percent. Among pharmaceutical products, antibiotics have a larger share in total sales with 31 percent, OTC preparations with 19 percent, cardiological preparations with 12 percent, neurological preparations with 11 percent of total consolidated sales, etc.

In 2024, in the direction of commitment to continuous modernization and expansion of production capacities, production volume, and assortment, ALKALOID AD Skopje completed the realization of its largest investment project in the last two decades – a new facility for the production of solid pharmaceutical forms, Tablet Department 2.0, and the corresponding technical space. The new technical-technological capacity, aimed at more than doubling the volume and greater flexibility in the production of solid pharmaceutical forms, occupies an area of 6,200 m2 (production-technical space), and for this, ALKALOID invested a total of 19.4 million euros. Total investments in fixed assets in the period January – March 2024 amount to 4.8 million euros.

In recent years, ALKALOID has initiated the process of redesigning existing generic pharmaceutical products for new indications, with the aim of creating value-added medicines that enable treatment and meet the needs of individuals or specific groups of patients. Strategic investments in modernizing the production portfolio have led to the successful development of the first patented value-added medicine from ALKALOID, primarily intended for the treatment of reflux esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). First-line drugs in the treatment of reflux esophagitis and GERD are the so-called proton pump inhibitors, a group that includes Omeprazole, which are usually available in the form of gastro-resistant tablets and capsules, as well as powder for dissolution. For the first time in history, ‘Alkaloid’ has developed a liquid form of the drug Omeprazole, ready for use.

For the oral solution Omeprazole, ‘Alkaloid’ received the first international patent for a value-added medicine (Value Added Medicine – VAM), and the first approvals for the marketing of this innovative drug for the Macedonian market and for the market in the United Kingdom have already been issued. Registration procedures for countries in Europe and for markets in the European Union are underway, and approval for the marketing of the drug and its subsequent launch is expected.

Consolidated earnings before financial costs, taxes, and depreciation (EBITDA) exceeded 13 million euros and recorded a growth of 6 percent, while consolidated net profit of 7.8 million euros increased by 9 percent.

The ALKALOID Group has 2,910 employees, of which 2,215 are in N. Macedonia, and 695 are employed in capital-related companies abroad.

The price of ALKALOID AD Skopje shares on the official market of the Macedonian Stock Exchange in the period January – March 2024 ranged from 295 to 340 euros or an average of 319 euros per share. As of March 31, 2024, the company’s market capitalization amounted to 475 million euros.

The shareholders’ assembly of ALKALOID AD Skopje on April 1, 2024, made a decision on the payment of dividends for 2023 in the amount of 8.78 EUR gross or 7.90 EUR net per share, which compared to the dividend paid per share for the previous year of 7.97 euros gross, or 7.17 euros net, is an increase of 10.2%. For the payment of dividends and income tax, the company will allocate about 12.6 million euros.

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