UPPSALA, Sweden, Oct. 21, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Biacore --
-- Biacore's sales in the third quarter 2004 amounted to SEK 134.6 million (105.7), an increase of 27%, mainly as a result of strong sales in Europe. For the first nine months of 2004, sales declined by 5% to SEK 337.2 million (354.7). -- Operating income was hit by one-off costs of approximately SEK 58 million related to the array technology write-down and to senior personnel departures including Ulf Jonsson, Biacore's former President and CEO. -- The net loss in the third quarter amounted to SEK 25.1 million (-45.5). For the nine-month period January-September 2004, the net loss was SEK 24.7 million (-11.1). -- The loss per share in the third quarter amounted to SEK 2.57 (-4.67). For the first nine months 2004, the loss per share was SEK 2.53 (-1.14). -- Strategic roll-out of the array technology confirmed following conclusion of the deal in October 2004 with AIST, a major Japanese research institute focused on proteomics. -- The fourth quarter income is expected to be reduced by one-off costs of approximately SEK 36 million related to actions from the Strategic Business Review, announced on October 4. The one-off costs in the third and fourth quarters are expected to lead to net savings in operating costs of approximately SEK 90 million per annum. -- The outlook for the full-year 2004 is dominated by the one-off costs of approximately SEK 94 million, associated with the significant changes that are being made to the organization. As a result of these costs, Biacore expects to record a loss in 2004. Sales are likely to be lower than in 2003. Previously, Biacore had forecast that it did not expect sales and earnings per share for the full-year 2004 to reach the levels achieved in 2003. For further information, please contact: Erik Wallden, President and CEO, Phone +41 (0)79 769 4542 Lars-Olov Forslund, CFO, Phone +41 (0)79 347 9900 Jan Isoz, Investor Relations, Phone +46 (0)708 10 31 17
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