Wrap Text
Reviewed Condensed Group Financial Results for the year ended 30 June 2025 and Cash Dividend Declaration
ASPEN PHARMACARE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa
Registration number: 1985/002935/06
Share code: APN
ISIN: ZAE000066692
("Aspen" or "the Group" or "the Company")
REVIEWED CONDENSED GROUP FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025 AND CASH
DIVIDEND DECLARATION
The Group has had a challenging financial year. Notable events over the reporting period ("FY 2025"):
- Commercial Pharmaceuticals, Aspen's core business segment comprising more than 70% of
the Group's revenue, has delivered revenue and normalised EBITDA growth of 10% in constant
exchange rate ("CER") underpinned by organic revenue growth in all three segments
(Injectables, OTC and Prescription). This has been supplemented by the launch and rollout of
Mounjaro® in South Africa, while also benefiting from the acquired product portfolio in Latin
America. Reported performance has been diluted by the strength of the ZAR average exchange
rates against Aspen's major trading currencies;
- Considerable progress has been made in executing the Group's generic semaglutide GLP-1
strategy;
- The restructure of Aspen China and its integration with the acquired Sandoz business has been
completed. Consequently, significant restructuring costs of circa R0,5 billion were incurred in
H2 2025 as well as one-off inventory rationalisation and write-offs of R0,3 billion. These diluted
the Group's Injectables gross profit margin percentage in FY 2025. This is expected to revert to
normal levels in FY 2026. The restructured China business, supported by higher EBITDA
margins, is now well positioned to contribute positively towards earnings growth in FY 2026;
- Manufacturing performance and intangible asset impairments have been negatively impacted
by the material contractual dispute ("Dispute") announced on SENS on 22 April 2025, whereby
shareholders were advised that normalised EBITDA from the Manufacturing business for FY
2025 in CER would potentially be R2 billion lower than last guided in March 2025. The Dispute,
the details of which are subject to contractual confidentiality, relates to a manufacturing and
technology agreement with a contract manufacturing customer for mRNA products. As a
consequence of the Dispute and related risks, normalised EBITDA from the Manufacturing
business for FY 2025 of R0,7 billion in CER was 38% of that reported in FY 2024. The Dispute is
now the subject of a contractually prescribed adjudication process;
- Aspen is pleased to report that the validation stage of the insulin contract has been
successfully completed in our South African sterile facility. In anticipation of regulatory
approvals being received shortly, commercial production has already been initiated;
- The retrospective implementation of global minimum tax legislation in South Africa coupled
with the announcement by the Mauritian government of a Qualified Domestic Minimum Top
Up Tax ("QDMTT") of 15%, effective from FY 2025, has negatively impacted both Commercial
Pharmaceuticals intangible asset valuations and Group effective tax rates. As guided
previously, higher Group effective tax rates are expected to be sustained. The QDMTT has
materially increased the tax rate used for Commercial Pharmaceuticals brand related
intangible asset valuations increasing impairments by R1,7 billion. These intangible assets are
only impaired if the individual brand asset value is below carrying amount and are not revalued
above cost where their individual brand value exceeds carrying amount. Despite the negative
impact of the QDMTT, total brand related intangible assets still have a valuation of more than
50% greater than their carrying amount;
- The abovementioned intangible asset impairments totalling R4,1 billion, which comprises the
QDMTT related impact of R1,7 billion, the mRNA asset impairment of R0,8 billion and regional
performance related impairments of R1,6 billion, have resulted in the Group incurring a loss
for the year. These impairments and the increased restructuring costs have adversely impacted
Aspen's earnings per share ("EPS") and headline earnings per share ("HEPS") as compared to
the Group's primary measure of performance being normalised headline earnings per share
("NHEPS");
- Operating cash conversion rate of 147% well exceeded the Group's target of 100%. The
leverage ratio ended at 3.2x. Net debt of R31,2 billion was marginally higher than the R30,0
billion in H1 2025, negatively affected by the weaker ZAR year-end closing rates partly offset
by the stronger second half CER operating cash flows and lower inventory levels; and
- Finance costs benefited from interest rate cuts across the Group's EUR, ZAR and AUD debt
pools in the second half of the year. Despite this, year-on-year finance costs have risen,
influenced by higher net debt levels and increased foreign exchange losses driven by US tariff-
led global volatility in exchange rates.
GROUP PERFORMANCE
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS(1)
Reported Reported Change Change
June 2025 June 2024 at at CER(2)
reported
rates
R'million R'million % %
Revenue 43 363 44 706 (3) 1
Gross profit 19 129 19 454 (2) 4
Operating profit 1 437 6 998 (79) (77)
Normalised EBITDA(3) 9 591 11 255 (15) (8)
Headline earnings per share (cents) 792.1 1 356.6 (42) (35)
Normalised headline earnings per 1 055.8 1 492.1 (29) (22)
share (cents)(4)
(Loss)/earnings per share (cents) (243.9) 991.4 >(100) >(100)
Dividend per share (cents)(5) 211 359 (41)
(1) The Group assesses its operational performance using constant exchange rates ("CER"). The table above compares performance to the
prior comparable period at reported exchange rates and at CER.
(2) The CER % change is based upon the performance for the year ended 30 June 2024 recalculated using the average exchange rates for the
year ended 30 June 2025.
(3) Operating profit before depreciation and amortisation adjusted for specific non-trading items as defined in the Group's accounting policy.
(4) Normalised headline earnings per share ("NHEPS") is headline earnings per share ("HEPS") adjusted for specific non-trading items as
defined in the Group's accounting policy.
(5) Dividend declared on 3 September 2025, to be paid on 6 October 2025 (2024: Declared on 3 September 2024 and paid 23 September
2024).
SEGMENTAL PERFORMANCE
Commercial Pharmaceuticals
Commercial Pharmaceuticals delivered solid revenue growth of 5% (10% CER) to R32 216 million and
normalised EBITDA growth of 1% (10% CER) with CER EBITDA growth well aligned to CER revenue
growth despite absorbing proportionately higher operating expenses in the business acquired from
Sandoz in China. Organic revenue growth of 7% CER was achieved when excluding the portfolio
acquired in Latin America. Gross profit margins of 58,1% (FY 2024: 59,4%) were diluted by lower
Injectables gross profit margins and the relative strength of the average ZAR exchange rates against
Aspen's major trading currencies.
Prescription
Prescription Brands reported growth of 10% (16% CER), with revenue of R12 519 million. Americas led
the growth, benefitting from the full year addition of the portfolio acquired in Latin America which
enjoyed double digit growth on a comparable basis in H2 2025. Africa Middle East, the largest region
within this segment, grew 8% with solid organic growth of 6% augmented by the Lilly franchise. Gross
profit percentage of 61,8% (FY 2024: 60,9%) was supported by a favourable sales mix from Americas.
OTC
OTC revenue grew by 1% (5% CER) to R9 812 million buoyed by an expected stronger second half
performance from Africa Middle East which recorded full year growth of 5% (6% CER). The Australasia
OTC portfolio revenue, which grew 5% in CER, now exceeds the region's Prescription segment and is
well positioned for future growth. Gross profit percentage of 58,3% was closely aligned to the prior
period (FY 2024: 58,7%).
Injectables
The Injectables portfolio returned to growth in FY 2025 rising 4% (10% CER) to R9 885 million. Africa
Middle East growth of 45% was boosted by the successful launch and rollout of Mounjaro® in South
Africa. The product swop transaction with Sandoz impacted Asia positively and Europe negatively.
Gross profit percentage declined to 53,2% (FY 2024: 58,2%) influenced by the impact of national
volume-based procurement and related one-off inventory write-offs in China.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing revenue of R11 147 million ended 21% lower (-19% CER). Reduced revenue from
Heparin was the main cause of this decline as the business benefitted from high once-off sales in the
prior year due to the transition to a working capital light toll model. Normalised EBITDA of R668 million
in CER ended 62% lower than the prior year impacted mainly by the Dispute within the Finished Dose
Form ("FDF") segment.
PROSPECTS
Aspen is focused on optimisation strategies for its Manufacturing business and building on the gains
made in Commercial Pharmaceuticals.
For FY 2026, Commercial Pharmaceuticals is expected to record mid-single digit organic revenue and
stronger EBITDA growth in CER. This will be supported by a higher profit contribution from the
reshaped business in China and further incremental growth from Mounjaro® in South Africa following
the recent regulatory approval of the Kwikpen® delivery system indicated for type 2 diabetes
management and pending approval of the chronic weight management indication. Aspen has also
recently concluded a long-term distribution and promotional agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim
for its product portfolio in South Africa, effective from 1 September 2025.
Considerable progress has been made in executing on Aspen's generic semaglutide GLP-1 strategy
(sterile injectable products for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity). This has required
extensive investment in both intellectual property("IP") and infrastructure. To give the Group every
chance of success, Aspen has followed a strategy of both developing its own IP and
licensing/partnering on IP with licensors. It is anticipated that the first revenue from this initiative
could be as early as the latter part of FY 2026. No such revenue has been included in the Commercial
Pharmaceuticals guidance detailed above.
The FDF segment of the Manufacturing business is working to recover lost profitability by FY 2027. Key
to achieving this objective is:
- Commercialising the insulin contract, following an intensive technical transfer process. This is
an exciting opportunity for both Aspen and patients. Resultant revenue of R0,3 billion is
forecast for FY 2026, ramping up to more than R1 billion for FY 2027; and
- Reshaping both Aspen's French and South African sterile facilities to match resources with the
existing contracts on hand. It is intended that most of the restructuring will be addressed in
this calendar year.
The benefits of both increased revenue and cost reductions will positively impact H2 2026 and are
expected to be fully realised in FY 2027.
Aspen is well positioned to execute on its strategic opportunities that will further enhance
Manufacturing profitability which include, inter alia:
- Procuring regulatory approval from SAHPRA and WHO for the Serum paediatric vaccines, to
be followed by commercialisation with potential sales in calendar year 2026 and increased
volumes thereafter;
- On-boarding GLP-1 injectable production volumes at both the French and South African sterile
facilities following the operationalisation of Aspen's generic semaglutide strategy; and
- Securing further contracts in the South African and French sterile facilities.
The Group anticipates double digit CER growth in normalised headline earnings in FY 2026.
Manufacturing normalised EBITDA was positively impacted by the contribution from the mRNA
contract in H1 2025 but negatively impacted by the reversal of a portion of this contribution in H2 2025
following the onset of the Dispute. Consequently, the relative CER normalised headline earnings are
expected to be lower in H1 2026 followed by stronger double-digit growth in H2 2026.
The continued focus on working capital, enhanced Manufacturing efficiencies and expected lower
investment in capital expenditure (following higher GLP-1 and sterile related investments in FY 2025)
should assist the Group in reducing net debt levels and achieving an operating cash conversion rate
target of greater than 100% in FY 2026. The Group expects to achieve a leverage ratio of less than 3.0x
at the end of FY 2026.
Any forecast information in the above-mentioned paragraphs has not been reviewed or reported on
by the Group's auditors and is the responsibility of the directors.
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
The contents of the short form announcement are the responsibility of the Board of directors of
Aspen. The information in the short form announcement is a summary of the full announcement
available on the Company's website at https://www.aspenpharma.com/investor-relations/#financial-
results-and-presentations on 03 September 2025 and accordingly does not contain full or complete
details. The full announcement can also be accessed online at
https://senspdf.jse.co.za/documents/2025/jse/isse/APN/YEresults.pdf
REVIEW BY INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
These condensed Group Financial Results for the year ended 30 June 2025 have been reviewed by
independent external auditors, Ernst & Young Inc. and their unmodified review report is included in
the full announcement. The review was performed in accordance with ISRE 2410 'Review of Annual
Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity'. Any reference to future
financial performance included in this announcement has not been reviewed or reported on by the
Group's external auditors. The auditor's review report does not necessarily report on all of the
information contained in this announcement/financial results. Shareholders are therefore advised
that in order to obtain a full understanding of the nature of the auditor's engagement, they should
refer to the full announcement. Any investment decisions by shareholders/investors should be based
on the full announcement.
DECLARATION OF DIVIDEND
The Board has declared a gross dividend of 211 cents per ordinary share (2024: 359 cents per share)
(or 168,8 cents net of a 20% dividend withholding tax, where this maximum rate of tax applies)
which is 20% of normalised headline earnings per share and aligned to the Group's capital allocation
framework. The dividend will be paid from income reserves.
Shareholders should seek their own advice on the tax consequences associated with the dividend
and are particularly encouraged to ensure their records are up to date with Aspen so that the correct
withholding tax rate is applied to their dividend. The Company income tax number is 9325178714.
The issued share capital of the Company is 446 252 332 ordinary shares. Future distributions will
continue to be decided on a year-to-year basis. In compliance with IAS 10 - Events After the
Reporting Period, the dividend will be accounted for in the financial statements in the year ended 30
June 2026.
Last day to trade cum dividend Tuesday, 30 September 2025
Shares commence trading ex-dividend Wednesday, 1 October 2025
Record date Friday, 3 October 2025
Payment date Monday, 6 October 2025
Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Wednesday, 1 October 2025
and Friday, 3 October 2025.
Registered office
Building 8
Healthcare Park
Woodlands Drive
Woodmead
Sandton
3 September 2025
Sponsor:
Investec Bank Limited
Date: 03-09-2025 01:00:00
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