Swiss Drug Maker Acino Gears-Up With Middle East Business After Acquisition of Mepha

Combining the strength of Swiss heritage and Mepha’s firm market footprint in the Middle East will boost Acino and leverage growth

Dubai,United Arab Emirates - Wednesday, March 14th 2012 [ME NewsWire]

Acino (SIX: ACIN), the Swiss-based pharmaceutical company, today announced it would be sharpening its focus on Middle Eastern markets supported by its recent acquisition of the existing Middle East business of Mepha (now “Mepha LLC - A Member of the Acino Group”), a major Swiss player with firm existing product footprints across the MENA region.

In a joint statement, Acino and Mepha said the combined entity would capitalize on the strong Swiss heritage and new opportunities in the MENA market, which is estimated to be worth US$12 billion and is growing at a CAGR of 15 per cent.

Under one umbrella, Mepha and Acino Switzerland brands will combine their forces to strengthen their common Swiss heritage and their commitment to the region. The Middle East is a key region for growth and the combined entity intends to maintain momentum through organic growth and by capitalizing on brand heritage, product technology and new product launches.

The future will see the introduction of a broad pain-management portfolio and a closer focus on drugs for GI (gastro-intestinal) diseases. Further to this Acino intends to introduce more products in the oncology field, recognized as a leading therapeutic area outpacing even cardio-vascular in the future.

Acino bought the emerging-market business of Mepha last year from Cephalon enabling the Swiss company to gain an enhanced market presence across the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asian territories. “The acquisition has enabled the company to make a ‘quantum leap’ towards establishing a strong presence in the emerging growth market of the Middle East and Africa,” Peter Burema, CEO Acino Group said.

According to independent sources the Middle East pharma market is estimated to be worth US$12 billion and is rapidly growing with the increase in population and education levels, which will bring growth potential for multinational pharma companies and Acino and Mepha will stand to gain in this scenario.

Both Acino Switzerland and Mepha (under the Acino umbrella) will continue to promote their brands separately in the short- to medium-term while in the long-term an integration process will take place allowing capitalization of the full potential of the acquisition, said Ruud van Anraat (CCO Acino Group) by both entities joining forces to invest in the latest product delivery technologies such as patches, implants and oral modified release formulations.

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