Medartis : provides update on Brazil investigation
December 09, 2019 at 01:10 am EST
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EQS Group-Ad-hoc: Medartis Holding AG / Key word(s): Forecast
Medartis provides update on Brazil investigation
09-Dec-2019 / 07:00 CET/CEST
Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 KR
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Medartis Holding AG
Hochbergerstrasse 60E
CH-4057 Basel
PRESS RELEASE
Medartis provides update on Brazil investigation
Basel, Switzerland, 9 December 2019 - Medartis Holding AG (SIX: MED), a leading manufacturer and provider of medical devices for surgical fixation of bone fractures, today provided an update on the ongoing investigations by Brazilian authorities into possible price and commission agreements across the industry, including at Medartis' former distributor Extera prior to its acquisition by Medartis in 2017. As a result a provision of CHF 3.0 million has been created, which will have an estimated impact on the EBITDA margin of around -2.5 percentage points in the current year. Excluding this provision, Medartis is confirming its guidance for 2019.
As disclosed in the last Annual Report, the authorities in Brazil launched investigations - in the context of intensified anti-corruption efforts in the healthcare sector - into companies including Extera, the former Medartis distributor acquired in 2017 and its former owners due to possible tender price agreements in 2012. Medartis is withholding CHF 1.0 million of outstanding payments for the acquisition of Extera to be potentially offset against the costs arising from this matter and is evaluating to seek further indemnification from the former owners of Extera. Medartis is cooperating with the authorities. Based on its most recent contacts with the relevant authorities in Brazil responsible for the investigations, Medartis has reassessed the probability and currently anticipates potential claims, legal costs and other related expenses of CHF 3.0 million. Accordingly, a corresponding provision has been created. No payments or fines are due at this time.
The provision is expected to impact Medartis' EBITDA margin for 2019 by around -2.5 percentage points. Excluding this impact, Medartis is confirming the outlook for the full year 2019 that it communicated in August 2019, with revenue growth of 8-10% in local currencies and an EBITDA margin in line with the first half of 2019.
The operations and current performance of Medartis in Brazil are not affected by the investigations. In a continuing economically challenging environment, Medartis expects to report a dynamic growth rate of over 25% in Brazil for the full year 2019.
Contact
Patrick Christ
Head Corporate Services
Medartis Holding AG
Phone: +41 61 633 34 70 patrick.christ@medartis.com
About Medartis
Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Medartis is one of the world's leading manufacturers and providers of medical devices for surgical fixation of bone fractures for upper and lower extremities as well as for the craniomaxillofacial region. Medartis employs over 600 individuals across its 13 locations, with products offered in over 50 countries globally. Medartis is committed to providing surgeons and operating theater personnel with the most innovative titanium implants and instruments as well as best in class service. For more information, please visit www.medartis.com.
Disclaimer
This communication does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities of Medartis Holding AG. This publication may contain certain forward-looking statements and assessments or intentions concerning the company and its business. Such statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore not place reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. The company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, assessments or intentions. Further, neither the company nor any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, counsel or advisers nor any other person makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to, and accordingly no reliance should be placed on, the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein or of the views given or implied.
Medartis Holding AG is a Switzerland-based holding company of the Medartis Group, which is engaged in manufacturing medical devices and implants. The Group develops, manufactures and distributes to surgeons, hospitals and medical centers titanium screws, plates, surgical instruments and system solutions for internal fracture fixation. Medartis AG, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, has developed such technologies as TriLock for locking the screw into the plate, SpeedTip, a screw that does not require pre-drilling, and HexaDrive self-holding screw and screw-driver. It has two product lines. The APTUS product line comprises upper and lower extremities products for hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder and foot fixation. The MODUS line combines products dedicated to cranio-maxillofacial (CMF) surgery. The Group's products are sold globally in more than 30 countries, including Germany and the United States, either directly through its sales subsidiaries, or through third-party distributors.