Hikma Pharmaceuticals says current year has got off to “an encouraging start”

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (LON:HIK) said the current year has got off to “an encouraging start” with its Injectables, Generics and Branded businesses alll benefitting from its broad product portfolio and recent product launches. 

In an update to be delivered at today’s annual general meeting, the FTSE 250-listed generic drugs maker’s CEO Siggi Olafsson, said: “Our efforts to reduce costs across the Group are on track and we continue to focus on enhancing and investing in our pipeline.”

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He added: “Our cash position remains very healthy and our balance sheet is strong. Altogether, these factors reinforce our positive outlook for the Group and enable us to reiterate our guidance for the full year.”

The group said its global Injectables business is performing well, with its product portfolio in the US enhanced by six product launches in the year to date and it is seeing increased demand across its marketed portfolio.

It added that the demand is more than offsetting increasing competition on certain key products, though it continues to expect competition to accelerate over the course of the year. 

For the full year, Hikma continues to expect Injectables revenue to be in the range of US$750mln to US$800mln and core Injectables operating margin to return to more normalised levels in the low to mid-30s.

Generics, Branded also performing well

The firm said its Generics business has had a good start to the year benefitting from a favourable product mix, though market conditions in the US retail market remain challenging.

It reiterated expectations for Generics revenues in 2018 to be in the range of US$550mln to US$600mln and core Generics operating margin in the low-single digits.

Hikma added that its Branded business is also performing well., with recent product launches driving sales growth, though as in 2017, it expects a stronger second half, reflecting the usual seasonality of this business.

The group said it continues to expect Branded revenue growth for the full year to be in the mid-single digits in constant currency.

Hikma will announce its results for the six months to 30 June 2018 on 15 August.  

Story by ProactiveInvestors