First half year 2013: Boehringer Ingelheim remains on growth path - MENA grows by 14.3% in the first half of 2013 over last year

Net sales up 3.1 percent (currency-adjusted) to around €7.1 billion

• MENA grows by 14.3% in the first half of 2013 over last year
• Medications for Diabetes, Atrial Fibrillation, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease  (COPD) main growth drivers
• Further growth planned for current financial year

Dubai, UAE, 15 August 2013 – The research-driven pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim grew further in the first half of 2013, despite difficult overall conditions. Net sales rose by 3.1 percent, currency-adjusted, compared to the same period in the previous year, to around €7.1 billion (-0.7 percent in euro terms). The main growth drivers were the oral anticoagulant for atrial fibrillation, the novel medicine for type 2 diabetes, and Boehringer Ingelheim established medicine for  chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“The first half year was marked by numerous challenges, like the continuously cost pressure in healthcare systems, and not only in Europe. The global market in prescription medicines – the most relevant to Boehringer Ingelheim – has almost stagnated in the first quarter[1],“ said Professor Andreas Barner, Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors, presenting the business results for the first six months of 2013. This calls for continuous examination and adjustment of the all structures and processes worldwide in order to be able to react flexibly to the rapidly changing conditions both in the market and in general. “In order to continually heighten our competitiveness, we continue to invest in areas that will determine the future of our group of companies. Going beyond our yet again increased expenditure on research and development, we are further improving our production plants and quality processes. Furthermore, we are preparing for more launches. For example in the Human Pharmaceuticals area, we have developed a new medication for the targeted treatment of lung cancer, which should come onto the market in the initial countries in the next few months, Prof. Barner said. Registration by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was granted for the new medication in July for patients with a specific type of lung cancer. For the European market, the responsible authority has already recommended registration, so that this is expected in the coming weeks. Besides diabetes, oncology is now to become the company's second new indication area.

Full year 2013: Further growth planned

“Boehringer Ingelheim in the MENA region has continued to see high performance, achieving 14.3% growth over last year first half achievement. Established products have made a significant contribution to the overall business, in particular for diseases of high prevalence in the region such as diabetes, high blood pressure, COPD and stroke prevention. Within the GCC countries, KSA has been a significant contributor to growth followed by the UAE. We remain focused on managing our cost structure to reallocate our resources more effectively and invest in our pipeline of our new products and our leaders who are behind this business,” said Karim El Alaoui, Managing Director at Boehringer Ingelheim Middle East and North Africa.

Hubertus von Baumbach, Member of the Board of Managing Directors responsible for Finance, noted: “Despite the difficult circumstances, we assume further growth for the full year 2013. In a stagnating world pharmaceutical market, we expect to achieve net sales growth in the lower single-digit area. This corresponds to a figure that will be above-market, in keeping with our long-term direction.“

Bulk of net sales in Prescription Medicines

Net sales generated with Prescription Medicines, Boehringer Ingelheim's most important business area, rose by 3.5 percent, currency-adjusted, to €5,341 million and thereby accounted for some 75 percent of group revenues. The bestselling medication, as also previously, was for COPD – net sales rose from a high level by 3.9 percent, currency-adjusted, to €1,826 million. The newly launched diabetes medication continues to grow strongly. Within the framework of the German AMNOG (new pharmaceuticals recognition law) process, no additional benefit was attributed to the medication. 

About Boehringer Ingelheim

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 140 affiliates and more than 46,000 employees.

Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

As a central element of its culture, Boehringer Ingelheim pledges to act with social responsibility. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim's endeavours.

In 2012, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about 14.7 billion euro. R&D expenditure in the business area Prescription Medicines corresponds to 22.5% of its net sales.