Actelion announces first quarter 2010 financial results

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Actelion Ltd announced financial results for the first quarter 2010.

In the first quarter of 2010 Actelion continued its growth trajectory, driven yet again by strong demand for its medicines. These results support previously announced 2010 guidance of more than 10 percent net revenue growth (in local currencies) and non-GAAP EBIT growth close to 20 percent (in local currencies).

On 22 April 2010, Epoprostenol for Injection, an improved formulation of epoprostenol that is stable at room temperature, has become available for the treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary hypertension associated with scleroderma spectrum of disease in NYHA Class III and Class IV patients who do not respond adequately to conventional therapy. The introduction of this product demonstrates Actelion’s ongoing commitment to the pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) community. It also expands Actelion’s product portfolio to four marketed medicines.

Actelion’s leading role in the treatment of PAH is further evidenced by two late-stage development candidates – macitentan, a highly potent, tissue-targeting endothelin receptor antagonist and selexipag (proposed INN), a first-in-class, orally active non-prostanoid, selective IP receptor agonist.
 

At the end of March 2010 Actelion had a total of 11 different molecules in clinical development. In addition to macitentan and selexipag, Actelion is also conducting Phase III programs of clazosentan in non-traumatic aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and almorexant in sleep disorders.

Jean Paul Clozel, M.D. and Chief Executive Officer of Actelion commented: “I am very pleased with our performance this quarter, including the robust demand for our products and our strong financial performance. This ongoing strong demand for our medicines positions us well for the future, and allows us to make appropriate investments in a wide range of innovative development candidates. The introduction of new products, like the improved epoprostenol formulation, will also enable us to further leverage our global infrastructure.”

About Actelion Ltd.

Actelion Ltd is a biopharmaceutical company with its corporate headquarters in Allschwil/Basel, Switzerland.  Actelion’s first drug Tracleer®, an orally available dual endothelin receptor antagonist, has been approved as a therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension.  Actelion markets Tracleer® through its own subsidiaries in key markets worldwide, including the United States (based in South San Francisco), the European Union, Japan, Canada, Australia and Switzerland. Actelion, founded in late 1997, is a leading player in innovative science related to the endothelium – the single layer of cells separating every blood vessel from the blood stream.  Actelion’s over 2,300 employees focus on the discovery, development and marketing of innovative drugs for significant unmet medical needs. Actelion shares are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker symbol: ATLN).

For further information please contact:

Roland Haefeli
Vice President, Head of Investor Relations & Public Affairs
Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Gewerbestrasse 16, CH-4123 Allschwil
+41 61 565 62 62
+1 650 624 69 36
www.actelion.com