BRIDGEWATER, N.J., April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alpharma Inc. , a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company, announced it has acquired the assets of Shenzhou Tongde Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd ("Tongde") in Shenzhou City, China. Tongde, a supplier to the company's Animal Health business, currently manufactures and markets zinc bacitracin with annual sales of approximately $5 million. Following the acquisition, the company will continue to support the current customer base of Tongde while also exporting the product to other markets
"This agreement establishes a second footprint for Alpharma in the important Chinese market", commented Dean Mitchell, President and Chief Executive Officer. "In 2006, we announced an agreement with Zhejiang Hisun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd that will double the capacity of the company's largest and fastest growing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient product, vancomycin, subject to the receipt of the required regulatory approvals. The acquisition announced today for the Animal Health business significantly improves our ability to service our global zinc bacitracin customers. Both of these moves are indicative of Alpharma's strategic commitment to invest in Asia to both establish a market presence and further improve our supply chain."
About Alpharma Inc.
Alpharma Inc. is a global specialty pharmaceutical company with leadership positions in products for humans and animals. Alpharma is presently active in more than 60 countries. Alpharma has a growing branded pharmaceuticals franchise in the chronic pain market with its morphine-based extended release KADIAN(R) product. In addition, Alpharma is among the world's leading producers of several specialty pharmaceutical-grade bulk antibiotics and is internationally recognized as a leading provider of pharmaceutical products for poultry and livestock
Statements made in this release include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, including those relating to future financial expectations, involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The 2006 outlook assumes no material adverse event contemplated by the risk factors described in the Company's SEC filings. Information on other significant potential risks and uncertainties not discussed herein may be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Contact: Kathleen Makrakis - VP, Investor Relations kathleen.makrakis@alpharma.com 908-566-3916
Alpharma Inc.CONTACT: Kathleen Makrakis, VP, Investor Relations of Alpharma Inc.,+1-908-566-3916, kathleen.makrakis@alpharma.com
Web site: http://www.alpharma.com/
