Orion Group Half-Year Financial Report January–June 2019



ORION CORPORATION    HALF-YEAR FINANCIAL REPORT JANUARY–JUNE 2019         17 JULY 2019 at 12.00 EEST

 

Orion Group Half-Year Financial Report January–June 2019

Net sales in January–June 2019 totalled EUR 493 million
(EUR 493 million in January–June 2018).

  • Operating profit was EUR 107 (140) million.
  • Profit before taxes was EUR 105 (137) million.
  • Equity ratio was 73% (67%).
  • ROCE before taxes was 27% (65%).
  • ROE after taxes was 24% (70%).
  • Basic earnings per share were EUR 0.59 (0.78).
  • Cash flow per share before financial items was EUR 0.57 (1.75).
  • Financial objectives remain unchanged.
  • Outlook remains unchanged.

 

ORION’S KEY FIGURES FOR THE REVIEW PERIOD  

 4-6/194-6/18Change %1-6/191-6/18Change %1-12/18
Net sales, EUR million251.7246.1+2.3%492.8493.3-0.1%977.5
Operating profit, EUR million52.169.7-25.2%107.2139.5-23.2%252.8
  % of net sales20.7%28.3% 21.7%28.3% 25.9%
Profit before taxes, EUR million51.368.7-25.3%105.2137.3-23.4%248.4
  % of net sales20.4%27.9% 21.4%27.8% 25.4%
Income tax expense, EUR million10.513.1-19.9%21.628.0-22.6%51.0
R&D expenses, EUR million31.526.0+21.3%58.051.7+12.1%104.0
  % of net sales12.5%10.6% 11.8%10.5% 10.6%
Capital expenditure, EUR million12.73.1+310.4%18.819.8-5.3%64.8
  % of net sales5.0%1.3% 3.8%4.0% 6.6%
Assets total, EUR million   898.41,072.9-16.3%1,146.7
Equity ratio, %   73.0%67.1% 68.8%
Gearing, %   1.7%-7.7% -17.1%
Interest-bearing liabilities, EUR million   38.0151.4-74.9%151.5
Non-interest-bearing liabilities, EUR million   220.6219.1+0.7%222.1
Cash and cash equivalents and money market investments, EUR million   27.2205.3-86.7%283.7
ROCE (before taxes), %   27.0%65.4% 44.3%
ROE (after taxes), %   23.7%70.3% 45.5%
Basic earnings per share, EUR0.290.40-27.5%0.590.78-24.4%1.40
Diluted earnings per share, EUR0.290.40-27.5%0.590.78-24.4%1.40
Cash flow per share before financial items, EUR0.171.36-87.3%0.571.75-67.1%2.32
Equity per share, EUR   4.554.99-8.8%5.50
Personnel at the end of the period   3,3523,279+2.2%3,154
Average personnel during the period   3,2323,187+1.4%3,179
Personnel expenses, EUR million   110.6104.2+6.2%200.7

The Diagnostics business, sold on 30 April 2018, has been reported as a discontinued operation since the interim report 1–3/2018 and is not included in consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The return on equity and cash flow per share figures in the comparative period also contain discontinued operations, including the capital gain from the sale of Orion Diagnostica.

President and CEO Timo Lappalainen:

Priority Review for darolutamide marketing authorisation application in the United States

”The single most important growth project for Orion in the next few years took a step forward in the review period, as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Priority Review designation for darolutamide for the treatment of non-metastatic prostate cancer resistant to conventional hormone therapy in April. With Priority Review, darolutamide may be granted marketing authorisation in the United States in the coming months. We are eligible to receive significant milestone payments upon first commercial sales, which amount to EUR 45 million in the United States. In May, new research data was published indicating that darolutamide combined with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) slowed down the worsening of symptoms in men with non-metastatic, conventional hormone therapy-resistant (castration-resistant) prostate cancer (nmCRPC). We also continue our ongoing trial with Bayer which evaluates darolutamide in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Darolutamide’s commercial potential will grow significantly if this second Phase III clinical trial (ARASENS) yields positive results in around 2022.

Another significant Phase III clinical trial, REFALS, which investigates orally administered levosimendan (ODM-109) in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has progressed well. Patient recruitment for the project was completed sooner than expected after the review period in July, and we are expecting results from the REFALS trial in just over a year. We are conducting this trial alone and, if the research findings are positive, it is possible that Orion will commercialise the product on its own not just in Europe but also in some key markets outside Europe.

Our net sales in the first half of 2019 amounted to EUR 493 million and operating profit to EUR 107 million.

In proprietary drugs, the sales of the Easyhaler® product family and Simdax® developed well. Most of the growth in Easyhaler product sales came from the budesonide-formoterol combined formulation. The sales of salmeterol-fluticasone combined formulation have also started, but they have initially developed more slowly than anticipated and for the time being, the product has no material impact on the net sales of the product family. So far there has been no competition for Simdax, but marketing authorisation applications have been submitted for generic versions of the drug in Europe. The sales of Dexdor® was at level with comparative period, but generic competition is expected to intensify in the future.

We have reacquired from Novartis the European sales and distribution rights for the Parkinson’s drugs Stalevo® and Comtan®. Following the reacquisition, we expect the full-year sales of these Parkinson’s drugs to match last year’s despite continuously expanding generic competition. The decline in Parkinson’s drugs sales seen in the first half of the year is explained by the timing of partner deliveries in particular. In 2018, there were more partner deliveries on the first half of the year while this year, we expect there to be more on the second half of the year.

Net sales of specialty products was at level with the previous year although sales in our biggest market, Finland, continued to decline due to price competition. However, the average prices of reference-priced prescription drugs did not decline in the second quarter compared to the first. April to June 2019 was the first quarter in nearly two years when the net sales of this business division increased from the comparative period.

The ongoing projects supporting growth are expected to burden Orion’s profit in 2019 by an estimated
EUR 30 million. This comprises clearly increased depreciation as well as investments in sales and marketing and research. At the same time, operating profit is burdened by intense price competition in the market and gradually expanding generic competition for Orion’s old proprietary drugs.

The outlook remains unchanged. Orion estimates that its net sales in 2019 will slightly increase from 2018. Projected net sales include the possible EUR 45 million milestone payment related to the commercialisation of darolutamide. Operating profit is projected to be on the same level as in 2018. The projection includes the possible EUR 45 million milestone payment associated with the commercialisation of darolutamide as well as significant investments in actions to generate growth. The complete outlook estimate and the basis for it can be found in this report under ‘Outlook for 2019’ and ‘Basis for outlook’.”

Key events in the review period from April to June

1 Apr 2019      The sales and distribution rights in certain European countries for the Parkinson’s disease drug Comtan®, developed by Orion, transferred back to Orion from Novartis. Orion estimates that the return of the sales rights will initially increase its Comtan sales by several million euros on annual level.

29 Apr 2019    The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted the marketing authorisation application for darolutamide for review and granted it Priority Review status.

31 May 2019    New findings on darolutamide were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting 2019.

Events after the period

15 Jul 2019     Orion announced that patient recruitment for the REFALS trial has been finalized.

News conference and teleconference

A news conference and teleconference on the published results will be held on Wednesday 17 July 2019 at 13:30 EEST at Orion’s head office (address: Orionintie 1A, Espoo). President and CEO Timo Lappalainen will give a brief presentation in English on the financial review.

The event can be followed as a live webcast accessible on Orion’s website at www.orion.fi/en/investors. After the presentation, questions can be asked also via teleconference in Finnish and English.

The conference call ID is 5471433 and the telephone numbers to participate in the teleconference are:


Finland: +358 (0)9 7479 0361
Sweden: +46 (0)8 5033 6574
United Kingdom: +44 (0)330 336 9105
United States:  +1 929-477-0324

News conference recordings

A recording of the webcast of the event in English and a recording of the presentation by the President and CEO in Finnish will be available on Orion’s website during Wednesday 17 July 2019.

Financial report material

Financial reports and related presentation material will be available at www.orion.fi/en/investors promptly after publication. The website also has a form for subscribing to Orion’s releases.


Dates in Orion calendar 2019–2020

Interim Report January-September 2019Wednesday 23 October 2019
Financial statement release 2019Wednesday 5 February 2020
Annual General Meeting 2020planned to be held on Wednesday 25 March 2020
Interim Report January–March 2020Tuesday 28 April 2020
Half-Year Financial Report January-June 2020Friday 17 July 2020
Interim Report January-September 2020Wednesday 21 October 2020

The Financial Statements and Report by the Board of Directors for 2019 will be published on the Company’s website at the latest in week 10/2020.

For additional information about the report:

Jari Karlson, CFO                                       tel. +358 50 966 2883


www.orion.fi/en/investors

Financial review for 1 January–30 June 2019

Net sales

Orion Group’s net sales in January–June 2019 totalled EUR 493 (493) million. Exchange rates impacted net sales positively by EUR 3 million. Net sales of Orion’s top ten pharmaceuticals in January–June were EUR 237 (231) million. They accounted for 48% (47%) of the total net sales.

Operating profit

The Orion Group’s operating profit was down by 23% at EUR 107 (140) million.

Gross profit from product and service sales was EUR 7 million lower than in the comparative period. The negative effect of the decline in net sales calculated in local currencies on gross profit was EUR 2 million, and change in margins reduced the gross profit by EUR 7 million. Exchange rate changes had a EUR 2 million positive effect on the gross profit.

Milestone payments accounted for EUR 1 (3) million and royalties for EUR 7 (9) million of net sales and operating profit. The decline in other operating income also had a EUR 3 million negative impact on the operating profit.

Operating expenses increased by EUR 19 million.

Operating expenses

The Group’s sales and marketing expenses totalled EUR 107 (97) million. The growth was mostly due to depreciation associated with the reacquisition of European rights for Stalevo® as well as investments in the sales of the Easyhaler® product portfolio in particular.

R&D expenses were EUR 58 (52) million. They accounted for 12% (10%) of the Group’s net sales. Research projects are reported in more detail under the ‘Business Review’ part of this report.

Administrative expenses were EUR 24 (22) million.

Other operating income and expenses were EUR 1 (4) million.

Group’s profit

Profit for the period was EUR 84 (109) million.

Basic earnings per share were EUR 0.59 (0.78). Equity per share was EUR 4.55 (4.99).

The return on capital employed before taxes (ROCE) was 27% (65%) and the return on equity after taxes (ROE) 24% (70%). The high figures in the comparative period are explained by the EUR 128 million capital gain recognised for the sale of Orion Diagnostica.

 

Financial position

The Group’s gearing was 2% (-8%) and the equity ratio 73% (67%).

The Group’s total liabilities at 30 June 2019 were EUR 259 (370) million. At the end of the period, interest-bearing liabilities amounted to EUR 38 (151) million, including EUR 5 (1) million of long-term loans. The change in interest-bearing liabilities was mostly due to the fact that the EUR 150 million bond loan issued by Orion in 2013 matured in June 2019. The company acquired substitutive financing by issuing commercial papers.

After the matured bond loan was paid off, the Group had EUR 27 (205) million of cash and cash equivalents and money market investments at the end of the period. The cash and cash equivalents are invested in short-term money market instruments issued by financially solid financial institutions and corporations.

Orion signed a EUR 100 million loan agreement with the European Investment Bank in January 2019. The loan has not yet been raised.

Cash flow

Cash flow from operating activities was EUR 98 (106) million. Cash flow declined less than the operating profit, since cash tied up in working capital increased more slowly than in the comparative period.

The cash flow from investing activities was EUR -18 (140) million. The cash flow from investing activities was positive in the comparative period due to the sale of Orion Diagnostica.

The cash flow from financing activities was EUR -338 (-203) million. The difference to the comparative period is mostly due to the repayment of the bond loan that matured in June. Orion has also bought back its own shares by EUR 7 million.

Capital expenditure

The Group’s capital expenditure totalled EUR 19 (20) million. This comprised EUR 13 (17) million on property, plant and equipment and EUR 5 (3) million on intangible assets.

Key business targets for 2019

TARGETDEVELOPMENT 1–6/2019
Preparing for the launch and commercialisation of the prostate cancer drug darolutamide in collaboration with Bayer, assuming that the marketing authorisation process progresses as planned. Continued research and development collaboration in the ARASENS trial (metastatic prostate cancer) to expand the indication.

 
  • Marketing authorisation applications submitted in main markets.
  • In the United States, the FDA granted Priority Review for the application.
  • With recruitment completed, the ARASENS trial continues as planned.
 
Development of orally administered levosimendan (ODM-109) for ALS in phase III clinical trial and preparation for its possible commercialisation. In research and development, the potential of different projects are reviewed with consideration of the total research portfolio.

 
  • Patient recruitment was completed in July 2019.
 
Strengthening Orion’s position as the most significant provider of generic drugs in Finland and competitive pricing. Development of a competitive product portfolio in Specialty Products and strengthening of product launches.

 
  • Orion’s sales volume of reference-priced prescription drugs in Finland grew faster than the market.
 
Accelerating the growth of the Easyhaler product family and strengthening its market position. The launch of the salmeterol-fluticasone Easyhaler progressing in Europe.

 
  • Easyhaler product family sales increased by 20 per cent.
 
Evaluation of new in-licensing opportunities in Europe, particularly in the area of hospital care.

 
  • The work continues.
 

Orion regularly monitors the progress of these goals in its financial reports.

Outlook for 2019 (issued on 6 February 2019)

Orion estimates that in 2019 net sales will be slightly higher than in 2018 (net sales in 2018 were
EUR 977 million). The estimated net sales include the possible EUR 45 million milestone payment
associated with the commercialisation of darolutamide.

The operating profit is estimated to be at the same level as in 2018 (operating profit in 2018 was EUR 253 million). The estimated operating profit includes the possible EUR 45 million milestone payment associated with the commercialisation of darolutamide as well as significant investments in actions to generate growth.

Basis for outlook in more detail

Orion continues persistent actions to generate growth more rapidly than growth of the market in the long term. The ongoing projects supporting growth are expected to burden Orion’s profit in 2019 by an estimated EUR 30 million. This comprises clearly increased depreciation as well as investments in sales and marketing and research. At the same time, operating profit is burdened by intense price competition in the market and gradually expanding generic competition for Orion’s old proprietary drugs.

Net sales

The sales of the Easyhaler® product family will continue to grow also in 2019 due to combined formulations (budesonide-formoterol and salmeterol-fluticasone) launched in the past few years.

Orion reacquired from Novartis the European sales and distribution rights for the Parkinson’s drugs Stalevo and Comtan in December 2018 and April 2019, respectively. Due to the anticipated additional sales of slightly over EUR 20 million following the transactions, the sales of Orion’s branded Parkinson’s drugs (Comtess®, Comtan® and Stalevo®) are estimated to remain at the same level as in the previous year despite continuously expanding generic competition.

In several European countries, marketing authorisation has been granted for a generic version of Dexdor®. Generic competition commenced in Germany in 2017 and expanded to a few other European countries during 2018. In 2019, generic competition is estimated to further expand in the EU, and the sales of the product to turn to decline. Orion has also been informed that marketing authorisation applications have been filed for a generic version of Simdax® in Europe. It is, however, difficult to estimate the impact of generic competition on the sales of Dexdor and Simdax. The patent for the Simdax molecule expired in September 2015 but this is still not expected to have a material impact on sales of the product in 2019. Orion is continuing actions to defend its rights.

Sales of generic products account for a significant proportion of Orion’s total sales. Competition in Finland, the most important generic market for Orion, remains intense in 2019. However, product launches continue to support Orion’s position as market leader in Finland. At the beginning of 2017, changes were made to the pricing system for substitutable prescription drugs in Finland by narrowing the so-called price band. The change caused an estimated EUR 15 million yearly sales decline both in 2017 and 2018. Thus the cumulative two-year negative impact was around EUR 30 million. The 2019 outlook assumes that the impact of the system change and its effect in lowering prices will still be significant, but slightly smaller than in the two previous years. In the first half of 2019, the sales of reference priced drugs in the Finnish market declined by 8% and the sales of Orion’s reference priced drugs declined by 7%. The volume of these sales grew by 3% and the volume of Orion’s sales by 4% (Source: Pharmarket sales statistics 1-6/2019).

In 2017, the EUR 57 million sales of the biosimilar Remsima® generated a significant portion of the growth in net sales of the Specialty Products business division, but in 2018 Remsima® sales were materially lower due to intensified competition and declined price level. Besides Remsima®, Orion has launched other biosimilars, such as Ritemvia® (rituximab) and Amgevita® (adalimumab). As a whole, the sales of biosimilars are expected to increase from 2018.

Collaboration agreements with other pharmaceutical companies are an important component of Orion’s business model. Agreements often include payments recorded in net sales that vary greatly from year to year. Forecasting the timing and amount of these payments is difficult. In some cases they are conditional on, for instance, the progress or findings of research projects, which are not known until studies have been completed. On the other hand, neither the outcome nor the schedule of contract negotiations is generally known before the final signing of the agreement. The possible EUR 45 million milestone payment associated with the commercialisation of the prostate cancer drug darolutamide in the United States is included in the outlook for 2019 and is expected to materialise in the coming months.


Expenditure

The start of production at Fermion’s new manufacturing plant in Hanko increases production costs by around EUR 3 million following depreciation. The investment is an important part of Orion’s preparation for the future. In the short term, however, increased depreciation has a negative impact on profit since the new plant replaces the one built in the 1970s.

Marketing expenditure will be higher than in the previous year due to additional promotion of sales of the Easyhaler product portfolio in countries where these products have been launched in recent years. In 2019, expenditure will also be increased by a EUR 12 million depreciation related to the acquisition of European sales and distribution rights for the Parkinson’s drugs Stalevo® and Comtan®. Orion paid a total of USD 28 million for the transfer of the sales rights in December 2018 and in April 2019, and the investment will be depreciated over two years.

Because the registrations and launches of new products are projects that generally take more than a year, the increases in resources and other inputs required in 2019 were mainly planned during the previous year.

Research and development costs are estimated to be higher than in 2018, in particular due to the Phase III REFALS clinical trial evaluating levosimendan (ODM-109) for the treatment of symptoms of ALS. Of the EUR 60 million total investment in the roughly three-year trial, it is estimated that more than EUR 25 million will be spent in 2019. Research and development costs are partly the Company’s internal fixed cost items, such as salaries and maintenance of the operating infrastructure, and partly external variable costs. External costs arise from, among other things, long-term clinical trials, which are typically performed in clinics located in several countries. The most important clinical trials scheduled for 2019 are either continuing from the previous year or at an advanced stage of planning, therefore their cost level can be estimated rather accurately. However, the accrued costs are materially affected by collaboration arrangements and how the costs arising are allocated between Orion and its collaboration partners. For instance, Bayer is paying the majority of the darolutamide research costs.

Investments

The Group’s total capital expenditure in 2019 is expected to be lower than in 2018, when capital expenditure was EUR 65 million.

Near-term risks and uncertainties  

The reacquisition of European sales and distribution rights for Stalevo® and Comtan® will generate additional sales for Orion’s branded Parkinson’s drugs in 2019. On the other hand, sales will decline due to continued generic competition. These effects have been taken into account in the outlook estimate for the current year. However, they still entail uncertainty that may materially affect the accuracy of the estimate made at this stage.

The basic Dexdor® and Simdax® patents have expired and Dexdor’s indication patent expired at the end of March 2019. In several European countries, marketing authorisation has been granted for a generic version of Dexdor. Generic competition commenced in Germany in 2017 and expanded to a few other European countries during 2018. In 2019, generic competition is estimated to further expand in the EU, and the sales of the product to turn to decline. Orion has also been informed that marketing authorisation applications have been filed for a generic version of Simdax in Europe. It is, however, difficult to estimate the impact of generic competition on the sales of Dexdor and Simdax. As regards Simdax, the possible generic competition is still not estimated to materially impact its sales in 2019.

Sales of individual products and also Orion’s sales in individual markets may vary, for example depending on the extent to which the ever-tougher price and other competition prevailing in pharmaceuticals markets in recent years will specifically focus on Orion’s products. Deliveries of Parkinson’s drugs to Novartis, the most important collaboration partner, are based on timetables that are jointly agreed in advance. Nevertheless, they can change, for example as a consequence of decisions by Novartis concerning adjustments of stock levels. In addition, changes in market prices and exchange rates affect the value of deliveries to Novartis.

The structural exchange rate risk due to the US dollar has decreased in recent years because the share of Orion’s net sales invoiced in dollars has fallen to below ten per cent and at the same time the value of purchases in dollars has increased. The greatest exchange rate risk at present relates to European currencies such as the Swedish crown and British pound. However, the overall effect of the risk due to currencies of European countries will be abated by the fact that Orion has organisations of its own in most of these countries, which means that in addition to sales income, there are also costs in these currencies. Changes in the Japanese yen exchange rate have become more important as sales of Parkinson’s drugs in Japan have increased. The exchange rate effect related to the Russian rouble has increased due to the strong volatility of the currency. However, Russian sales are not a significant portion of Orion’s entire net sales.

Orion’s broad product range may cause risks to the delivery reliability and make it challenging to maintain the high quality standard required in production. Authorities and key customers in different countries undertake regular and detailed inspections of development and manufacturing of drugs at Orion’s production sites. Any remedial actions that may be required may at least temporarily have effects that decrease delivery reliability and increase costs. Orion’s product range also includes products manufactured by other pharmaceutical companies. Possible problems related to the delivery reliability or quality of the products of those manufacturers may cause a risk to Orion’s delivery reliability. The single-channel system used for pharmaceuticals distribution in Finland, in which Orion’s products have been delivered to customers through only one wholesaler, may also cause risks to delivery reliability. To ensure deliveries, in addition to Oriola Finland Oy, there are also other distributors temporarily distributing certain Orion products.

Research projects always entail uncertainty factors that may either increase or decrease estimated costs. The projects may progress more slowly or faster than assumed, or they may be discontinued. Nonetheless, changes that may occur in ongoing clinical studies are reflected in costs relatively slowly, and they are not expected to have a material impact on earnings in the current year. Owing to the nature of the research process, the timetables and costs of new studies that are being started are known well in advance. They therefore typically do not lead to unexpected changes in the estimated cost structure. Orion often undertakes the last, in other words Phase III, clinical trials in collaboration with other pharmaceutical companies. Commencement of these collaboration relationships and their structure also materially affect the schedule and cost level of research projects.

Collaboration arrangements are an important component of Orion’s business model. Possible collaboration and licensing agreements related to these arrangements also often include payments to be recorded in net sales that may materially affect Orion’s financial results. In 2014–2018 the annual payments varied from EUR 5 million to EUR 39 million. The payments may be subject to certain conditions relating to the development of research projects or sales, and whether these conditions are triggered and the timing of triggering always entail uncertainties. The possible EUR 45 million milestone payment associated with the commercialisation of the prostate cancer drug darolutamide in the United States is included in the outlook for 2019 and is expected to materialise in the coming months.

Orion’s dividend distribution policy

Orion’s dividend distribution takes into account the distributable funds and the capital expenditure and other financial requirements in the medium and long term to achieve the financial objectives.

Financial objectives

Through the financial objectives Orion aims to develop the Group’s shareholder value and ensure financial stability and profitable growth. Orion’s financial objectives are:

  • Growing net sales more rapidly than growth of the pharmaceuticals market. Achievement of this objective requires continuous investment in development of the product portfolio.
  • Maintaining profitability at a good level. The aim is operating profit that exceeds 25% of net sales.
  • Keeping the equity ratio at least 50%.
  • Distributing an annual dividend that in the next few years will be at least EUR 1.30 per share, and increasing the dividend in the long term.

In the short term what actually happens may deviate from the objectives.

R&D projects that have made promising progress will probably somewhat increase the Company’s research expenses in the next few years. However, agreements already made relating to research projects and their good progress, and possible new agreements with partners relating to other projects are expected to generate material milestone payments in coming years. Successful projects will have a positive effect on Orion’s net sales and especially operating profit even before possible approval of new proprietary drugs and before the actual commencement of product sales.

Shares and shareholders 

On 30 June 2019, Orion had a total of 141,257,828 (141,257,828) shares, of which 36,821,579
(37,120,346) were A shares and 104,436,249 (104,137,482) B shares. The Group’s share capital is EUR 92,238,541.46 (92,238,541.46). At the end of June, Orion held 765,399 (562,440) B shares as treasury shares. On 30 June 2019, the aggregate number of votes conferred by the A and B shares was 840,102,430 (845,981,962) excluding treasury shares.

At the end of June 2019, Orion had 70,699 (74,436) registered shareholders.

Voting rights conferred by shares

Each A share entitles its holder to twenty (20) votes at General Meetings of Shareholders and each B share one (1) vote. However, a shareholder cannot vote more than 1/20 of the aggregate number of votes from the different share classes represented at a General Meeting of Shareholders. The Company itself and Orion Pension Fund do not have the right to vote at an Orion Corporation General Meeting of Shareholders.

Both share classes, A and B, confer equal rights to the Company’s assets and dividends.

Conversion of shares

The Articles of Association entitle shareholders to demand the conversion of their A shares to B shares within the limitation on the maximum number of shares of a class. A total of 298,767 A shares were converted into B shares in January–June 2019.

Trading in Orion’s shares

Orion’s A shares and B shares are quoted on Nasdaq Helsinki in the Large Cap group under the Healthcare sector heading under the trading codes ORNAV and ORNBV. Trading in both of the Company’s share classes commenced on 3 July 2006, and information on trading in the Company’s shares has been available since that date.

On 30 June 2019, the market capitalisation of the Company’s shares, excluding treasury shares, was EUR 4,517 million.

Orion shares are also traded on various alternative trading platforms in addition to Nasdaq Helsinki.

Authorisations of the Board of Directors

On 26 March 2019, the Annual General Meeting of Orion Corporation authorised the Board of Directors to decide on an acquisition of no more than 350,000 Orion Corporation B shares. Based on this authorisation and a decision by the Board of Directors on 25 April 2019, Orion acquired a total of 250,000 B shares between 2 and 13 May 2019. The Board of Directors was authorised by Orion Corporation’s Annual General Meeting on 26 March 2019 to decide on a share issue in which shares held by the Company can be conveyed. The Board of Directors is authorised to decide on a share issue in which no more than 850,000 B shares held by the Company can be conveyed. The authorisation to issue shares is valid for five years from the decision taken by the Annual General Meeting.

The terms and conditions of the authorisations are reported in more detail in a stock exchange release on 26 March 2019.

The Board of Directors is not authorised to increase the share capital or to issue bonds with warrants or convertible bonds or stock options.

Share-based incentive plans

The Group has two currently operating share-based incentive plans for key persons of the Group:
Orion Group’s Long-Term Incentive Plan 2016, announced in a stock exchange release published on 2 February 2016 and Orion Group’s Long-Term Incentive Plan 2019, announced in a stock exchange release published on 6 February 2019.

Share ownership

Orion’s shares are in the book-entry system maintained by Euroclear Finland, and Euroclear Finland maintains Orion’s official shareholder register.

At the end of June 2019, Orion had a total of 70,699 (74,436) registered shareholders, of whom 96% (96%) were private individuals. They held 41% (44%) of the entire share stock and had 61% (63%) of the total votes. There were 48 (43) million nominee-registered and foreign-owned shares, which was 34% (31%) of all shares, and they conferred entitlement to 8% (7%) of the total votes.

At the end of June 2019, Orion held 765,399 (562,440) B shares as treasury shares, which is 0.5% (0.4%) of the Company’s total share stock and 0.09% (0.07%) of the total votes.

Personnel

The average number of employees in the Orion Group in January–June 2019 was 3,232 (3,187). At the end of June 2019, the Group had a total of 3,352 (3,279) employees, of whom 2,682
(2,611) worked in Finland and 670 (668) outside Finland.

Salaries and other personnel expenses in January–June totalled EUR 111 (104) million.

Significant legal proceedings

Companies belonging to the Orion Group are parties to various legal disputes, which are not, however, considered to be significant legal proceedings for the Group.


Business review

Review of human pharmaceuticals market

Finland is the most important individual market for Orion, generating about one-third of the Group’s net sales. According to Pharmarket statistics (1-6/2019), the total sales of Orion’s human pharmaceuticals, including both medicinal and non-medicinal products, was behind market trend. The growth in the Finnish pharmaceuticals market has mostly been generated by proprietary products, while they only account for a small share of Orion’s net sales in Finland.

Orion’s biggest product group in Finland are reference-priced prescription drugs in the pharmacy channel. The sales volume of Orion’s reference-priced prescription drugs developed slightly better than the market, but in euros sales declined from the comparative period due to continuing price competition. The average price of reference priced drugs in the market declined in January–June 2019 by approximately 10% from the comparative period (Source: Pharmarket). The impact of price competition on Orion has been significant due to the Company’s broad product range and significant market share in Finland.

Despite the challenging operating environment, Orion has maintained its position as leader in marketing pharmaceuticals in Finland. Orion has a particularly strong position in reference priced prescription drugs and in self-care product sales, with its market share being a quarter of the market in each.

Sales of human pharmaceuticals in Finland (medicinal and non-medicinal products):

EUR million  1-6/191-6/18Change %
Total sales of human pharmaceuticals (hospital and pharmacy channel)   
Market 1,3761,320+4%
Orion 151155-2%
Prescription drugs total (pharmacy channel)    
Market732754+3%
Orion8589-4%
Reference priced prescription drugs (pharmacy channel)   
Market216235-8% 
Orion5660-7% 
Self-care products (pharmacy channel)   
Market 197197+0% 
Orion 4847+1% 

Source: Pharmarket sales statistics 1-6/2019

Orion’s market share in the sales of human pharmaceuticals in Finland (medicinal and non-medicinal products):

Orion’s market share, %1-6/191-6/18
Human pharmaceuticals in total (hospital and pharmacy channel)11%12%
Prescription drugs total (pharmacy channel)12%12%
Reference priced prescription drugs (pharmacy channel)26%26%
Self-care products (pharmacy channel)24%24%


Source: Pharmarket sales statistics 1-6/2019

Orion is a significant player also in the Scandinavian generics market.

According to IQVIA pharmaceutical sales statistics, in Europe total sales of the most common intravenous anaesthetics and intensive care sedatives (propofol, midazolam, remifentanil and dexmedetomidine) in the 12-month period ending in March 2019 were up by 3% at EUR 574 (555) million. Sales of Orion’s Dexdor® intensive care sedative (dexmedetomidine) totalled EUR 64 (64) million in Europe, according to IQVIA pharmaceutical sales statistics.

Proprietary Products

The product portfolio of Proprietary Products consists of patented prescription products in three therapy areas: central nervous system diseases, oncology and critical care, and Easyhaler® pulmonary drugs.

Net sales of the Proprietary Products business division in January-June were down by 5% at EUR 178 (188) million.

Total net sales of the Easyhaler® product family for treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were up by 20% in January–June 2019 at EUR 52 (44) million. The good development was mainly due to the strong sales of the budesonide-formoterol combined formulation, up by 33% at EUR 31 (23) million. The growth was supported by increased resources in the sales and marketing of the product family. Launched in 2014, the product is on sale in all key European markets. Besides Orion’s sales, co-marketing partner Menarini sells the budesonide-formoterol combined formulation in France and in a few Southern European countries. The first marketing authorisation applications have also been submitted outside Europe. Menarini is the distributor of the budesonide-formoterol combined formulation in the Asia and Pacific region, and Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC in the Middle East and North Africa.

The sales of salmeterol-fluticasone combined formulation have also started in several European countries, but they have initially developed more slowly than anticipated and for the time being, the product has no material impact on the net sales of the product family.

Orion’s Easyhaler® is a dry-powder inhaler developed in-house, for which Orion has developed Easyhaler-adapted dry powder formulations of several well-known generic active pharmaceutical ingredients (salbutamol, beclometasone, budesonide, formoterol, salmeterol and fluticasone).


Orion’s drugs for treatment of Parkinson’s disease are Stalevo® (active pharmaceutical ingredients carbidopa, levodopa and entacapone) and Comtess®/Comtan® (entacapone). Their combined net sales in January–June 2019 were down by 27% at EUR 44 (60) million.

Orion reacquired from Novartis the European sales and distribution rights for the Stalevo® and Comtan® drugs in December 2018 and April 2019, respectively. Following this reacquisition, the full-year sales of these Parkinson’s drugs are expected to match last year’s despite continuously expanding generic competition. The fall in Parkinson’s drugs sales seen in the first half of the year is explained by the timing of partner deliveries in particular. In 2018, partner deliveries were more focused on the first half of the year and in 2019 we expect them to be more focused on the second half of the year.

Breakdown of sales of Parkinson’s drugs:

EUR million1-6/20191-6/2018Change %
Deliveries to key partners2349-53%
Orion’s own sales2111+88%

Net sales of Orion’s Dexdor® intensive care sedative (dexmedetomidine) were EUR 34 (34) million. The drug’s indication patent expired on 31 March 2019, and its generic versions have been granted marketing authorisations in several European countries. So far there has been significant generic competition only in a few countries, but it is to be assumed that generic competition will continue to gradually expand in the EU now that the patents have expired. However, there are country-specific differences in the expansion, which depend on the timing of tendering competitions, among other things. Sales of the Precedex® intensive care sedative were down by 47% at EUR 6 (11) million. The sales comprise both royalties and sales of the pharmaceutical ingredient.

Simdax®, a drug for treatment of acute decompensated heart failure is sold in some 60 countries worldwide. The drug’s net sales in January–June increased by 17% to EUR 34 (29) million. Orion has been informed that marketing authorisation applications have been filed for generic versions of Simdax in Europe. The patent for the product’s molecule expired in 2015, but possible generic competition is still not expected to have a material impact on sales of the product in 2019.

Orion is prepared for the commercialisation of darolutamide, the drug developed in cooperation with Bayer, and announced that it will exercise its co-promotion option in Europe as agreed with Bayer. In addition, Orion will manufacture the product for global markets.

 

Specialty Products 

Net sales of the Specialty Products division, which comprises generic prescription drugs, self-care products and biosimilars, totalled EUR 230 (232) million in January–June 2019. April to June 2019 was the first quarter in nearly two years when the net sales of the business division increased from the comparative period.

Finland, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe and Russia are the most important markets for Specialty Products. The business division’s sales in Finland in January–June 2019 were EUR 131 (134) million, down by 3%. Sales declined in particular due to continued intensive price competition in generic drugs, mostly resulting from the changing operating environment, in other words the change made to the pricing system for substitutable prescription drugs in Finland at the beginning of 2017. Price competition reduced Orion’s sales in Finland by approximately EUR 15 million annually both in 2017 and 2018. Orion estimates that the impact of the system change and its effect in lowering prices will still be significant in 2019, but slightly smaller than in 2018. In the second quarter of 2019, the average prices of reference-priced prescription drugs did not decline in comparison with the first quarter.

In Scandinavia the sales of Specialty Products totalled EUR 44 (35) million, up 25%. In Eastern Europe and Russia, Specialty Products sales amounted to EUR 31 (31) million.

In Specialty Products, 68 (70)% of the net sales came from generic drugs, 24 (24)% from self-care products and 8 (6)% from biosimilars. The biosimilars net sales totalled EUR 18 (15) million, up by 24%. In 2018 Orion won the Norwegian national tender for Remsima® (infliximab), and deliveries have started in the first quarter of 2019. The sales of Ritemvia® (rituximab) is proceeding according to the opening of tendering competitions. The launch and sales of Amgevita® (adalimumab) have proceeded according to plan.

Animal Health

In the Nordic countries and some Eastern European markets Orion itself sells veterinary drugs, and in other markets the Company operates through partners. In addition, in the Nordic countries Orion markets and sells veterinary drugs manufactured by several other companies. Orion’s Animal Health business division has a strong market position in the Nordic countries, its home markets.

The first half of the year was good in Animal Health as a whole. Net sales of the Animal Health business division in January–June 2019 were up by 18% at EUR 46 (39) million, mostly due to the timing of deliveries to partners. At EUR 21 (14) million, sales of animal sedative products accounted for 46% (38%) of the Animal Health business division’s total net sales. The animal sedative product family comprises Orion’s animal sedatives Dexdomitor® (dexmedetomidine), Domitor® (medetomidine) and Domosedan® (detomidine), and antagonist Antisedan® (atipamezole), which reverses the effects of the sedatives.

In February 2018, Orion received positive conclusions under the decentralised EU marketing authorisation procedure for Clevor®. Clevor, with ropinirole as the active pharmaceutical ingredient, is an eye-drop formula designed to treat poisoning in dogs. The product is set to be launched before the end of 2019. In June Orion launched an online service, ToxBuddy®, in Finland to provide veterinary practitioners with information and support for treating poisoning in dogs. The service gives tools for the practitioner to assess the severity of poisoning and receive treatment instructions, among other things. The plan is to launch the service in other markets later.

Fermion

Fermion manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients for Orion and other pharmaceutical companies. Its product range comprises nearly 30 pharmaceutical ingredients. Fermion produces the active pharmaceutical ingredients for Orion’s in-house developed proprietary drugs. For other pharmaceutical companies Fermion manufactures generic pharmaceutical ingredients and offers contract manufacturing services for development and manufacturing of new active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Fermion’s net sales excluding deliveries for Orion’s own use were up 16% at EUR 30 (26) million and accounted for over one-half of Fermion’s total net sales. In recent years order cycles in the trade in pharmaceutical raw materials have become ever shorter, and this has led to clearly greater fluctuation in business volume than before within each year and between different years.

Research and development

The Group’s R&D expenses in January–June totalled EUR 58 (52) million, up 12%. They accounted for 12% (10%) of the Group’s net sales. R&D expenses also include expenses related to development of the current portfolio.

In the first quarter of 2018, Orion started a research project to expand the Easyhaler product family for treatment of asthma and COPD, by developing a tiotropium formulation for European markets. The bioequivalence study with the formulation is ongoing. Tiotropium is a long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Orion and Bayer are jointly developing a new orally administered androgen-receptor antagonist, darolutamide, for the treatment of prostate cancer. The Phase III trial (ARAMIS) completed in October 2018 investigated darolutamide in patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC). Based on the research findings, Bayer has submitted marketing authorisation applications for darolutamide to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Japan’s Ministry of Health and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). In April, FDA granted the application Priority Review status, which means that darolutamide could be available in the United States market by the end of 2019. Marketing authorisation applications have also been submitted in other markets.

In May, new findings of the ARAMIS trial were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The findings indicate that darolutamide plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) slowed down the worsening of symptoms and maintained quality of life in men with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer compared to placebo plus ADT even beyond the end of study treatment.

In addition to the completed ARAMIS trial, Orion and Bayer also have another ongoing Phase III clinical trial (ARASENS), which evaluates the efficacy and safety of darolutamide in the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) who are starting hormone therapy. The treatment is darolutamide in combination with hormonal therapy (androgen deprivation therapy) and docetaxel, a chemotherapy drug. The trial, which commenced at the end of 2016, is on track, and patient recruitment was finalized in the second quarter of 2018. The trial is estimated to be completed in 2022.

Orion has an ongoing the Phase III clinical trial (REFALS) evaluating orally administered levosimendan (ODM-109) in the treatment of symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Patient recruitment for the REFALS trial proceeded well in the review period and was finalised after the review period in July. The trial will involve 496 patients and 104 clinical sites in the United States, Canada, the EU and Australia. The patients will be treated in the trial for around one year.

The purpose of the REFALS trial is to demonstrate that orally administered levosimendan, by enhancing respiratory muscle function, can help maintain breathing capacity and so benefit overall functioning of patients with ALS. Levosimendan does not cure ALS. The aim is to delay the need for ventilation support and thus improve the patient’s quality of life. Orion is conducting the trial on its own and is investing around EUR 60 million in the study over approximately three years. If the results of the trial are positive, Orion aims to file for marketing authorisation in the United States and Europe. Orally administered levosimendan has been granted an Orphan Drug Designation. Levosimendan is a molecule developed by Orion and launched already in 2000 for the i.v.-treatment of acute decompensated heart failure.

Orion has an ongoing Phase II clinical trial with a new targeted FGFR+VEGFR inhibitor (ODM-203) for the treatment of cancers. The trial will investigate the efficacy of the drug candidate in slowing the growth of solid cancerous tumours in patients with detected FGFR changes in cancerous tumours.

Orion has an ongoing Phase I clinical trial with a BET protein inhibitor (ODM-207) which inhibits transcription of key oncogenes such as Myc in many cancers. In preclinical studies, ODM-207 has shown antiproliferative effects in several solid tumour cell lines. The trial will investigate the safety and tolerability of the drug candidate and provisionally its efficacy in cancer patients.

In the first quarter of 2018, Orion commenced a Phase I clinical trial for the development of a novel selective hormone synthesis inhibitor (CYP11A1 inhibitor) for castration-resistant prostate cancer. Patient recruitment is proceeding as planned. In preclinical studies, the molecule
(ODM-208) has shown antitumor activity. It has potential efficacy also for those cancers that have become resistant to the standard hormonal treatments. Orion is the first pharmaceutical company to develop a drug that works with this mechanism. The trial will investigate the safety and tolerability of the drug candidate in prostate cancer patients, but Orion also plans to study the potential of the molecule for breast cancer treatment.

Orion has launched a Phase I clinical trial on the ODM-209 molecule. This molecule is a selective hormone synthesis inhibitor (CYP11A1 inhibitor) much like the ODM-208.  In preclinical studies, the molecule (ODM-209) has shown antitumor activity. Like ODM-208, it has potential efficacy also for those hormone-dependent cancers that have become resistant to the standard hormonal treatments. The trial will investigate the safety and tolerability of the drug candidate in breast cancer and prostate cancer patients.

Orion also has several projects in the early research phase investigating central nervous system diseases, cancer, neuropathic pain and rare diseases regarded as Finnish heritage diseases, among others.

In the review period, Orion out-licensed the ORM-12741 molecule (alpha-2C-receptor antagonist) to Denovo Biopharma which plans to investigate its use in personalized medicine in the field of neuropsychiatry. The agreement does not have material financial significance for Orion at least for the time being.

Espoo, 17 July 2019

Board of Directors of Orion Corporation

Orion Corporation

Timo Lappalainen
President and CEO
 Jari Karlson
CFO


Tables

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

EUR million4-6/194-6/18Change %1-6/191-6/18Change %1-12/18
Net sales251.7246.1+2.3%492.8493.3-0.1%977.5
Cost of goods sold-101.5-89.9+12.9%-198.1-187.5+5.6%-387.9
Gross profit150.2156.2-3.8%294.7305.8-3.6%589.6
Other operating income and expenses0.91.0-4.9%1.03.7-71.9%5.5
Sales and marketing expenses-54.6-50.1+9.0%-106.6-96.5+10.5%-195.3
R&D expenses-31.5-26.0+21.3%-58.0-51.7+12.1%-104.0
Administrative expenses-12.9-11.3+13.9%-24.0-21.8+10.3%-43.0
Operating profit52.169.7-25.2%107.2139.5-23.2%252.8
Finance income0.10.0 0.30.0 0.3
Finance expenses-0.9-1.0-6.8%-2.2-2.3-4.0%-4.7
Profit before taxes51.368.7-25.3%105.2137.3-23.4%248.4
Income tax expense-10.5-13.1-19.9%-21.6-28.0-22.6%-51.0
Profit for the period for continuing operations40.855.6-26.6%83.6109.3-23.5%197.3
        
Profit for the period for discontinued operations 130.1  133.4 132.9
        
Profit for the period40.8185.7-78.0%83.6242.8-65.6%330.3
        
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME INCLUDING TAX EFFECTS¹      
        
Translation differences-1.2-0.8 -0.4-1.2 -1.7
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss-1.2-0.8 -0.4-1.2 -1.7
Items due to remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans (continuing operations)0.0-4.5 -0.0-4.5 -21.4
Items due to remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans (discontinued operations) 2.9  2.9 2.9
Items that will not be reclassified to profit and loss0.0-1.6 -0.0-1.6 -18.5
Other comprehensive income net of tax-1.2-2.4-50.0%-0.4-2.8-85.4%-20.1
Comprehensive income for the period including tax effects39.6183.3-78.4%83.2240.0-65.3%310.1
        
PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO¹       
Owners of the parent company40.8185.7-78.0%83.6242.8-65.6%330.3
        
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO¹       
Owners of the parent company39.6183.3-78.4%83.2240.0-65.3%310.1
        
Continuing operations       
        
Basic earnings per share, EUR¹0.290.40-27.5%0.590.78-24.4%1.40
Diluted earnings per share, EUR¹0.290.40-27.5%0.590.78-24.4%1.40
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment14.010.2+37.3%27.620.0+38.0%41.1
Personnel expenses55.548.6+14.2%110.6104.2+6.2%200.7


        
Discontinued operations       
        
Basic earnings per share, EUR1 0.92  0.95 0.95
Diluted earnings per share, EUR1 0.92  0.95 0.95
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 0.2  0.8 0.7
Personnel expenses 2.1  2.1 2.1

¹The figure has been calculated from the profit attributable to the owners of the parent company.

The Diagnostics business, sold on 30 April 2018, has been reported as a discontinued operation since the interim report 1–3/2018.

IFRS 16 has been adopted by using the simplified retrospective method, and therefore figures of the comparative periods have not been adjusted.


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

ASSETS    
     
EUR million6/196/18Change %12/18
Property, plant and equipment319.6314.4+1.6%316.9
Goodwill13.513.5 13.5
Intangible rights42.826.6+61.0%47.5
Other intangible assets2.72.6+3.0%2.7
Investments in associates0.10.1 0.1
Other investments0.30.3-1.4%0.3
Pension asset31.052.4-41.0%31.5
Deferred tax assets5.35.3+0.6%5.1
Other non-current assets0.82.0-59.3%0.9
Non-current assets total416.0417.2-0.3%418.5
     
Inventories226.7225.8+0.4%222.1
Trade receivables189.6184.0+3.1%188.8
Other receivables38.940.6-4.2%33.7
Money market investments   35.0
Cash and cash equivalents27.2205.3-86.7%248.7
Current assets total482.5655.7-26.4%728.2
     
Assets total898.41,072.9-16.3%1,146.7
     
     
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES    
     
EUR million6/196/18Change %12/18
Share capital92.292.2 92.2
Expendable fund0.50.5 0.5
Other reserves2.52.3+5.8%2.4
Retained earnings544.6607.3-10.3%678.0
Equity attributable to owners of the parent company639.8702.4-8.9%773.1
Equity total639.8702.4-8.9%773.1
     
Deferred tax liabilities36.940.8-9.7%37.8
Pension liability3.53.3+7.8%3.6
Provisions0.30.4-4.2%0.3
Interest-bearing non-current liabilities5.00.5 0.6
Other non-current liabilities16.818.4-8.8%17.4
Non-current liabilities total62.563.4-1.4%59.8
     
Trade payables70.970.6+0.4%74.9
Current tax liabilities 0.4-100.0%1.5
Other current liabilities92.285.2+8.2%86.4
Provisions0.0 +100.0% 
Interest-bearing current liabilities33.0150.9-78.1%150.9
Current liabilities total196.1307.1-36.1%313.8
     
Liabilities total258.7370.5-30.2%373.6
     
Equity and liabilities total898.41,072.9-16.3%1,146.7

 

The Diagnostics business, sold on 30 April 2018, has been reported as a discontinued operation since the interim report 1–3/2018. The comparative balance sheet at 6/2018 contains the assets and liabilities of the discontinued operation.


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

a. Share capital        
b. Expendable fund        
c. Other reserves        
d. Items due to remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans   
e. Translation differences        
f. Retained earnings        
g. Non-controlling interests       
h. Equity total        
 Equity attributable to owners of the parent company  
EUR milliona.b.c.d.e.f.g.h.
Equity at 1 January 201892.20.52.331.9-5.9558.6-0.0679.7
Impact of adoption of the IFRS 15 and IFRS 9 standards     -16.5 -16.5
Adjusted equity at 1 January 201892.20.52.331.9-5.9542.1-0.0663.2
Profit for the period     242.8 242.8
Other comprehensive income        
Translation differences    -1.30.2 -1.2
Items due to remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans   -4.5 2.9 -1.6
Transactions with owners        
Dividend and capital repayment     -203.8 -203.8
Share-based incentive plan     3.2 3.2
Other adjustments  -0.0  -0.20.0-0.2
Equity at 30 June 201892.20.52.327.4-7.3587.1 702.4
         
Equity at 1 January 201992.20.52.410.5-7.7675.3 773.1
Impact of the adoption of the IFRS 16 standard     -0.2 -0.2
Adjusted equity at 1 January 201992.20.52.410.5-7.7675.1 772.9
Profit for the period     83.6 83.6
Other comprehensive income        
Translation differences    -0.60.2 -0.4
Items due to
remeasurement of
defined benefit pension plans
   -0.0   -0.0
Transactions with owners        
Dividend and capital repayment     -211.4 -211.4
Repurchase of own shares     -7.4 -7.4
Share-based incentive plan     1.2 1.2
Other adjustments  0.0  1.1 1.2
Equity at 30 June 201992.20.52.510.5-8.3542.4 639.8



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

EUR million1-6/191-6/181-12/18
Operating profit107.2274.6387.3
Adjustments27.8-108.5-87.8
Change in working capital-5.7-23.9-10.2
Interest paid-5.0-5.4-5.9
Interest received1.01.01.7
Dividends received 0.00.0
Income taxes paid-27.0-31.9-54.3
Total net cash flow from operating activities98.4106.0230.9
    
Investments in property, plant and equipment-13.0-20.6-38.1
Investments in intangible assets-5.0-2.6-28.7
Sales of property, plant and equipment and available-for-sale investments0.20.40.9
Sales of subsidiaries 162.5161.3
Total net cash flow from investing activities-17.7139.795.4
    
Current loans raised29.60.61.3
Repayments of current loans-150.2-0.3-2.6
Non-current loans raised0.10.2 
Repurchase of own shares-7.4  
Dividends paid and other distribution of profits-210.4-203.9-203.9
Total net cash flow from financing activities-338.2-203.4-205.3
    
Net change in cash and cash equivalents-257.542.3121.1
    
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period283.7164.1164.1
Foreign exchange differences1.0-1.0-1.5
Impact of discontinued operations -0.8-0.9
Net change in cash and cash equivalents-257.543.0121.9
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period27.2205.3283.7
    
Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents in statement of financial position   
Cash and cash equivalents in statement of financial position at the end of the period27.2205.3248.7
Money market investments at the end of the period  35.0
Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows27.2205.3283.7

The Diagnostics business, sold on 30 April 2018, has been reported as a discontinued operation since the interim report 1–3/2018. The cash flow statements for the comparative period 1–6/2018 and for 1–12/2018 contain the assets and liabilities of the discontinued operation.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

There are no discontinued operations during the reporting period 2019.

At the outset of the 2018 financial year, Orion announced that it had decided to investigate the possible sale of Orion Diagnostica or other arrangement. As a result of the investigation, an agreement on the sale of all shares in Orion Diagnostica Oy (i.e. the Orion Diagnostica business) was signed with an investment fund managed by Axcel Management A/S (Axcel) on 21 April 2018. In the Financial Review and in the comparative data of the tables of the Interim Report, the Orion Diagnostica segment is treated as a discontinued operation. The profit of discontinued operations in the comparative period, January–June 2018, was EUR 133.4 million.

The selling price of Orion Diagnostica was EUR 161.7 million and Orion booked a EUR 128.4 million capital gain in the comparative period 2018, included in the comprehensive income statement as part of discontinued operations. In addition, Orion has the possibility to receive an additional selling price of EUR 60 million maximum. The payment of the variable component is based on the return on investment for Axcel at the time of the exit. Due to the uncertainty relating to the euro value and timing of the additional price, the estimated capital gain does not include any part of the additional price component.

PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD FOR DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

EUR million1-6/191-6/18Change %1-12/18
Net sales 18.7 18.7
Capital gain from sale of discontinued operations 128.4 128.4
Total expenses -12.3 -12.5
Operating profit 134.8 134.6
Income tax expense -1.3 -1.6
Profit for the period 133.4 132.9

 


CHANGES IN PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

EUR million 6/196/1812/18
Carrying amount at the beginning of the period 316.9323.1323.1
+ Impact of the adoption of the IFRS 16 standard 8.6  
- discontinued operations  -10.0-10.0
Additions 13.417.336.1
Disposals -1.8-0.5-0.9
Amortisation and impairments -17.6-15.4-31.1
Carrying amount at the end of the period 319.6314.4316.9


CHANGES IN INTANGIBLE ASSETS (EXCLUDING GOODWILL)

EUR million 6/196/1812/18
Carrying amount at the beginning of the period 50.239.439.4
- discontinued operations  -8.0-8.0
Additions 5.32.628.7
Disposals -0.0 -0.0
Amortisation and impairments -10.0-4.7-10.0
Carrying amount at the end of the period 45.529.250.2


COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

EUR million 6/196/1812/18
     
CONTINGENCIES FOR OWN LIABILITIES    
Guarantees 6.24.44.5
     
OTHER LIABILITIES    
Unrecognised lease liabilities 5.55.314.5
Other liabilities 0.30.30.3


DERIVATIVES

EUR million 6/196/1812/18
     
CURRENCY FORWARD CONTRACTS AND CURRENCY SWAPS   
Fair value, EUR million -0.40.00.2
Nominal value, EUR million 51.823.032.6
     
CURRENCY OPTIONS    
Fair value, EUR million -0.0-0.10.0
Nominal value, EUR million 39.236.931.8



 

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT AND HIERARCHY OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

EUR millionLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
Derivatives    
  Currency derivatives 0.1 0.1
Available-for-sale financial assets    
  Shares and investments  0.30.3
Assets total 0.10.30.4
     
Derivatives    
  Currency derivatives -0.6 -0.6
Liabilities total -0.6 -0.6


The fair value of level 1 financial instruments is based on quotations available in active markets. The fair value of level 2 derivatives is based on data feeds available in the markets. The fair value of level 3 financial instruments cannot be estimated on the basis of data available in the markets.

In the Group the principle is applied that transfers between levels of fair value hierarchy are recognised on the date on which the event triggering the transfer occurred.

No transfers between levels occurred during the reporting period.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

EUR million 6/196/1812/18
Management’s employment benefits 3.74.45.9


Business reviews


NET SALES BY BUSINESS DIVISION

EUR million 4-6/194-6/18Change %1-6/191-6/18Change %1-12/18
  Proprietary Products 1) 89.095.6-7.0%178.4188.5-5.4%356.9
  Specialty Products 118.3114.3+3.4%229.5232.0-1.1%473.1
  Animal Health 25.018.7+33.9%45.638.6+18.1%80.4
  Fermion 15.013.5+11.0%30.025.9+15.8%50.7
  Contract manufacturing and other4,53.9+16.5%9.38.4+10.9%16.3
Group total 251.7246.1+2.3%492.8493.3-0.1%977.5


1) The net sales of Proprietary Products during the period 1–6/2019 includes EUR 1.0 (1–6/2018: 1.0) million of sales revenue for performance obligations to be transferred to customers that will be entered as income over time.


NET SALES AND OPERATING PROFIT BY QUARTER

 201920182017
EUR million4-61-310-127-94-61-310-127-9
Net sales251.7241.0262.4221.8246.1247.2265.9241.5
Operating profit52.155.068.644.669.769.870.554.9


GEOGRAPHICAL BREAKDOWN OF NET SALES BY QUARTER

 201920182017
EUR million4-61-310-127-94-61-310-127-9
Finland75.274.382.774.075.480.084.680.4
Scandinavia44.643.940.436.436.941.242.444.0
Other Europe85.782.883.572.073.075.580.573.2
North America16.513.915.914.913.514.027.016.8
Other markets29.926.139.724.447.336.631.427.1
Group total251.7241.0262.4221.8246.1247.2265.9241.5

 

TOP TEN BEST-SELLING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS

EUR million 4-6/194-6/18Change %1-6/191-6/18Change %1-12/18
Easyhaler® product family (asthma, COPD) 26.021.9+18.6%52.143.5+19.7%90.4
Stalevo®, Comtess® and Comtan® (Parkinson’s disease)22.632.1-29.5%43.760.0-27.2%100.1
Simdax® (acute decompensated heart failure)17,815.2+17.5%34.429.5+16.7%59.4
Dexdor® (intensive care sedative) 14.616.4-10.8%33.933.9-0.2%63.1
Dexdomitor®, Domitor®, Domosedan® and Antisedan® (animal sedatives)11,66.1+90.7%21.214.5+46.4%33.6
Biosimilars (rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases)8,94.1+116.6%18.214.6+24.1%24.8
Burana® (inflammatory pain) 5.85.3+11.2%11.911.0+8.0%23.5
Divina series (menopausal symptoms)4,35.0-14.0%8.89.2-3.9%18.8
Marevan® (anticoagulant) 3.83.9-2.8%7.18.2-14.1%17.8
Solomet® (inflammation) 3.43.4+0.8%6.26.0+3.2%12.7
Total 118.8113.4+4.9%237.4230.5+3.0%444.2
Share of net sales 47%46% 48%47% 45%

 

 

KEY CLINICAL PHARMACEUTICAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

 

Project
 

Indication
PHASE 

Registration
IIIIII
Easyhaler® tiotropiumCOPDBioequivalence study* 
Darolutamide 1)Prostate cancer (nmCRPC)IIIIII*
Darolutamide 1)Prostate cancer (mHSPC)IIIIII* 
ODM-109 (oral levosimendan)ALSIIIIII* 
ODM-203 (targeted FGFR+VEGFR inhibitor)Solid tumoursIII*  
ODM-207 (BET protein inhibitor)CancerI*   
ODM-208 (CYP11A1 inhibitor)Prostate cancer (CRPC)I*   
ODM-209 (CYP11A1 inhibitor)Breast cancer
Prostate cancer (CRPC)
I*   
1) In collaboration with Bayer*= Phase ongoing
III= Status changed vs. previous quarter


Information on Orion’s shares

BASIC SHARE INFORMATION, 30 JUNE 2019

     A shareB shareTotal
Trading code on Nasdaq Helsinki    ORNAVORNBV 
Listing day    1 Jul 20061 Jul 2006 
ISIN code    FI0009014369FI0009014377 
ICB code    45004500 
Reuters code    ORNAV.HEORNBV.HE 
Bloomberg code    ORNAV.FHORNBV.FH 
Share capital, EUR million    24.068.292.2
Counter book value per share, EUR    0.650.65 
Total number of shares    36,821,579104,436,249141,257,828
% of total share stock    26%74%100%
Number of treasury shares 765,399765,399
Total number of shares excluding treasury shares    36,821,579103,670,850140,492,429
Minimum number of shares      1
Maximum number of A and B shares, and maximum number of all shares500,000,0001,000,000,0001,000,000,000
Votes per share    201 
Number of votes excluding treasury shares736,431,580103,670,850840,102,430
% of total votes    88%12%100%
Total number of shareholders    20,55456,61870,699

 

Both share classes, A and B, confer equal rights to the Company’s assets and dividends.


INFORMATION ON TRADING ON NASDAQ HELSINKI, 1 JANUARY – 30 JUNE 2019

     A shareB shareTotal
Shares traded    955,08845,708,90446,663,992
% of the total number of shares    2.6%43.8%33.0%
Trading volume, EUR million    30.21,436.31,466.5
Closing quotation on 31 December 2018, EUR    30.3030.28 
Lowest quotation, EUR (A and B: 13 May 2019)  28.2028.19 
Average quotation, EUR    31.6731.42 
Highest quotation, EUR (A and B: 20 March 2019)   35.2535.40 
Closing quotation on 30 June 2019, EUR    31.9532.23 
Market capitalisation on 30 June 2019, EUR million1,176.43,341.34,517.8


 

PERFORMANCE PER SHARE

 4-6/194-6/18Change %1-6/191-6/18Change %1-12/18
Basic earnings per share, continuing operations, EUR0.290.40-27.5%0.590.78-24.4%1.40
Basic earnings per share, continuing and discontinued operations, EUR 1.32  1.73 2.35
Diluted earnings per share, continuing operations, EUR0.290.40-27.5%0.590.78-24.4%1.40
Diluted earnings per share, continuing and discontinued operations, EUR 1.32  1.73 2.35
Cash flow per share before financial items, EUR0.171.36-87.3%0.571.75-67.1%2.32
Equity per share, EUR   4.554.99-8.8%5.50
Average number of shares excluding treasury shares, 1,000 shares140,593140,695 140,652140,658 140,677

The Diagnostics business, sold on 30 April 2018, has been reported as a discontinued operation since the interim report 1–3/2018.


Appendices

Reporting

Orion Corporation is the parent company of the Orion Group. The Group consists of one business area or operating segment and four business divisions. Orion reports on its operations segmentally.

  • Pharmaceuticals business
    • Proprietary Products (patented prescription products for three therapy areas)
    • Specialty Products (off-patent generic prescription products, self-care products and biosimilars)
    • Animal Health (veterinary products for pets and production animals)
    • Fermion (active pharmaceutical ingredients for Orion and other companies)

Contract manufacturing and other, i.e. manufacturing for other companies, is included in the Pharmaceuticals business segment, but it is not a separate business division.

Accounting policies

This report has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in International Accounting Standard 34 on Interim Financial Reporting. The same accounting principles have been applied as in the 2018 financial statements, besides which the amendments to existing IFRS and IAS standards endorsed by the EU have been adopted as of 1 January 2019.

Orion Group adopted the new IFRS 16 standard as of 1 January 2019, and its impact on the consolidated financial statements is described below. Other new interpretations and amendments to existing IFRS standards adopted from 1 January 2019 have not affected the consolidated financial statements.

The policies and calculation methods applied during the period can be found on the Orion website at http://www.orion.fi/en/investors.

Adoption of IFRS 16 (Leases)

Information on transition on 1 January 2019

IFRS 16 (Leases) has replaced IAS 17 and related interpretations, which previously regulated the accounting treatment of leases, as of 1 January 2019. The Group has applied the simplified method permitted by IFRS 16 in the transition and recognised the cumulative effect in the opening balance sheet on 1 January 2019 as retained earnings and does not present comparative information.

The Group has recognised as lease liability under IFRS 16 the present value of remaining lease payments, discounted using the Group’s incremental borrowing rate. The right-of-use asset has been measured at carrying amount as if the standard had been applied since the commencement date of the lease. The right-of-use asset is measured by discounting future lease payments using the Group’s incremental borrowing rate from the adoption date. The difference in value of the lease liability and the right-of-use assets has been recognised in equity as adjustment to retained earnings.

The Group has applied the following practical expedients permitted under IFRS 16 in its adoption of the standard. The Group has applied a single discount rate to a portfolio of leases with reasonably similar characteristics. In the transition, leases previously classified as finance leases have been recognised at the carrying amounts of the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities measured applying IAS 17. In addition, the Group has applied the exemptions permitted by the standard and accounted for leases for which the term ends within 12 months of the date of initial application as short-term leases and for leases of low-value assets as low-value asset leases. The expense arising from these have been recognised through profit or loss in the accounting period beginning on 1 January 2019. The Group will assess details such as the accuracy of lease terms after the date of initial application and revise these later if mandated by facts.

The Group has assessed the impact of IFRS 16 on the consolidated balance sheet with regard to all leases identified by the Group as well as with regard to any arrangements that may involve leases. The Group identified a total of around 400 lease agreements in different
operating countries. The weighted average of the Group’s incremental borrowing rate, or the discounting rate used in transition, is based on IRS market rates plus a country risk based premium.

Following the adoption of IFRS 16, the Group has recognised an increase of EUR 8.6 million in right-of-use assets. EUR 8.9 million has been recognised as increase in lease liabilities on the balance sheet. EUR 0.2 million has been recognised as decrease of retained earnings in equity. An increase of EUR 0.0 million has been recorded as deferred tax assets.

BALANCING LEASE COMMITMENTS ON 31 DECEMBER 2018 TO LEASE LIABILITIES ON 1 JANUARY 2019

EUR million    
Lease commitments on 31 December 2018   14.5
     
Discounted value on 1 January 2019   14.8
Finance lease liabilities on 31 December 2018   1.6
Short-term and low-value leases  -5,0
Leases commencing in 2019 not yet included in the lease liability  -1,8
Lease liabilities on 1 January 2019   8.9
     
     
ADJUSTED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND OTHER KEY FIGURES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2018 (CONTINUING OPERATIONS)
1) Comparative information previously reported in the interim report and financial statement release. 
2) Comparative information previously reported in the interim report and financial statement releases, if impact of IFRS 16 is taken into account
     
 1-6/181-12/18
 1)2)1)2)
Net sales, EUR million493.3493.3977.5977.5
Operating profit, EUR million139.5139.6252.8253.0
  % of net sales28.3%28.3%25.9%25.9%
Profit before taxes, EUR million137.3137.4248.4248.4
  % of net sales27.8%27.8%25.4%25.4%
Income tax expense, EUR million28.028.051.051.0
Profit for the period, EUR million242.8242.8330.3330.3
Other comprehensive income net of tax, EUR million240.0240.0310.1310.1
Deferred tax assets, EUR million5.35.35.15.1
Interest-bearing non-current liabilities, EUR million0.57.50.66.4
Interest-bearing current liabilities, EUR million150.9153.8150.9153.9
Equity total, EUR million702.4702.2773.1773.1
Assets total, EUR million1,072.91,082.61,146.71,155.6
Equity ratio, %67.1%65.3%68.8%68.2%
Gearing, %-7.7%-6.3%-17.1%-15.9%
ROCE (before taxes), %65.4%65.1%44.3%43.9%
ROE (after taxes), %70.3%70.3%45.5%45.5%
Basic earnings per share, EUR0.780.781.401.40
Diluted earnings per share, EUR0.780.781.401.40
Equity per share, EUR4.994.995.505.50

Accounting of leases under IFRS 16

Determining whether an arrangement contains a lease

The Group will assess at the time of inception whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract contains a lease when it contains an identified asset and it conveys the right to direct the use of that asset for a specific period of time. The precondition is that the Group pays a consideration to the contracting party in exchange for this right.

The asset can be identified either explicitly, for example, based on a specific identification code, or implicitly, when the asset is not specified in the contract but in practice the contract can only be performed using a specific asset. The identified asset may also be a physically separable part of a larger asset, if it represents a substantial part of the total capacity of the asset. If the contracting party may substitute the asset with another one and gain financially in the process, the contract does not involve an identified asset and thus does not constitute a lease.

A contract conveys control to the Group when the Group gains substantially all the economic benefits from using the asset and has the right to direct the use of the identified asset during its useful life. Determination of the Group’s right to direct the use of an asset involves considering its right to change things such as:

  • what type of output is generated;
  • when the output is generated;
  • where the output is generated; and
  • how much output is generated

Separating components of a contract

In some cases, contracts may contain lease components, which is due to the fact that the contract obligates the contracting party to provide various obligations to the Group. In such multi-component arrangements, the Group will specify each lease component and process them separately in accounting. The right to use the underlying asset is a separate lease component when the Group is able to benefit from the use of the asset either as such or jointly with other easily accessible resources and the asset is not highly dependent on other assets stipulated by the contract or it is not strongly attached to them. The Group allocates the contractual consideration to each lease component in proportion to their relative individual prices.

Lease term

The lease term is the period during which the lease cannot be cancelled. The lease term is extended by the period covered by an extension or termination option, if the Group is reasonably certain to exercise the extension option or not to exercise the termination option. 

Leases with a term of 12 months or less and leases of low-value assets are classified as operating leases. For these leases, the lease payable to the lessor is recorded as an expense on an accrual basis. The underlying assets are not capitalised in the balance sheet.

Recognition at the inception of the lease

At the commencement of a lease, the Group recognises a lease liability and a corresponding right-of-use asset.

The lease liability is measured at the present value of the lease payments payable over the lease term that have not yet been paid. The leases are discounted at the rate implicit in the lease or the Group’s incremental borrowing rate. In practice, the Group discounts the leases using the Group’s incremental borrowing rate, since the rates implicit in the Group’s leases typically cannot be readily determined. The incremental borrowing rate is based on market rates plus a country risk associated premium.

The right-of-use asset is initially measured at acquisition cost, which includes the original amount of the lease liability plus any initial direct costs incurred by the Group, estimated restoration costs and any lease payments made at or prior to commencement, less lease incentives obtained.

Leases paid by the Group consist of fixed payments, variable leases, amounts payable based under residual value guarantees, purchase option exercise prices, if it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised as well as of payments associated with termination sanctions if it has been taken into account in the lease term that the Group will exercise its lease termination option.

When a variable lease depends on an index or a rate, these are taken into consideration when determining lease liability. Variable lease payments are initially measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date. Other variable leases, such as leases to be payable based on asset performance, are not included in the lease liability. Factually fixed payments, which are dependent on the functioning of an asset, for example, are taken into consideration when measuring the lease liability.

Subsequent measuring of a lease

After lease commencement, the Group measures the right-of-use asset using the acquisition cost model. The right-of-use asset is measured at acquisition cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment, adjusted by any cost of remeasurement of the lease liability. Depreciation is recognised in accordance with IAS 16 (Property, plant and equipment). The residual value and useful life of the right-of-use asset is reviewed when necessary, but at least at every year end for the financial statements, and an impairment is recognised if expected economic benefits change.

The Group values the lease liability in subsequent periods using the effective interest method.

The lease liability is remeasured if actual lease payments materially differ from lease payments contained in the original measurement and if the change in lease payments is based on clauses of the lease agreement that were in force at the inception of the lease. The lease is subsequently remeasured, for example, when there is a change in future lease payments due to a change in the index or rate used to determine those payments, or if there is a change in the amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee. Changes in the assessment of a purchase option of an underlying asset or an extension or termination option may also lead to a remeasurement of the lease liability. The carrying amount of the right-of-use asset is adjusted by the lease liability amount following a remeasurement, or if the right-of-use asset has a carrying amount of zero, it is recognised through profit or loss.

The Group may re-negotiate leases during the lease term. Changes may lead to a revision of the duration of the lease term or to changing the underlying asset. The Group processes lease modifications in accordance with IFRS 16 as modifications of the scope of the lease or of the consideration payable, which were not part of the original terms agreed at the inception of the lease.

Other matters

The figures in this Interim Report have not been audited.

The figures in parentheses are for the corresponding period of the previous year. All the figures in this report have been rounded, which is why the total sums of individual figures may differ from the total sums shown.

CALCULATION OF THE KEY FIGURES

Return on capital employed (ROCE), %=Profit before taxes + Interest and other finance expensesx 100
Total assets - Non-interest-bearing liabilities (average during the period)
Return on equity (ROE), %=Profit for the periodx 100
Total equity (average during the period)
Equity ratio, %=Equityx 100
Total assets - Advances received
Gearing, %=Interest-bearing liabilities - Cash and cash equivalents - Money market investmentsx 100
Equity
Earnings per share, EUR=Profit available for the owners of the parent company 
Average number of shares during the period, excluding treasury shares
Cash flow per share
before financial items, EUR
=Cash flow from operating activities + Cash flow from investing activities 
Average number of shares during the period, excluding treasury shares
Equity per share, EUR=Equity attributable to owners of the parent company 
Number of shares at the end of the period, excluding treasury shares
Dividend per share, EUR=Dividend to be distributed for the period 
Number of shares at the end of the period, excluding treasury shares
Payout ratio, %=Dividend per sharex 100
Earnings per share
Effective dividend yield, %=Dividend per sharex 100
Closing quotation of the period
Price/earnings ratio (P/E)=Closing quotation of the period 
Earnings per share
Average share price, EUR=Total EUR value of shares traded 
Average number of traded shares during the period
Market capitalisation, EUR million=Number of shares at the end of the period × Closing quotation of the period 

Publisher:
Orion Corporation
http://www.orion.fi/en
http://www.twitter.com/OrionCorpIR

Orion is a globally operating Finnish pharmaceutical company – a builder of well-being. Orion develops, manufactures and markets human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The company is continuously developing new drugs and treatment methods. The core therapy areas of Orion’s pharmaceutical R&D are central nervous system (CNS) disorders, oncology and respiratory diseases for which Orion develops inhaled Easyhaler® pulmonary drugs. Orion’s net sales in 2018 amounted to EUR 977 million and the company had about 3,200 employees at the end of the year. Orion’s A and B shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.

Attachment


Attachments

EN_Orion_H1_2019