AGM Statement
06 Maio 2003 - 7:25AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:7269K
NMT Group PLC
06 May 2003
6th May 2003
NMT Group PLC (the "Company")
AGM Trading Update
NMT announces strong sales during the first four months of 2003.
At the Annual General Meeting of NMT Group PLC (LSE: NMT) held today in
Livingston, Scotland, Roy Smith, NMT's Chief Executive, will update shareholders
on the progress made by the Company since the end of the year. The text of the
update is as follows:
The Board is pleased to announce that sales during the first four months of 2003
were significantly ahead of analyst forecasts. The increase was driven by strong
demand for the first generation safety syringe, primarily from the Company's
pharmaceutical partner, Roche.
Sales demand has been matched by increased manufacturing output at the
Livingston, Scotland, manufacturing facility. The continued efforts of the
Company's dedicated manufacturing staff have delivered a steady increase in
consistent unit volume production.
With increased production volumes, the Company is beginning to benefit from
initial reduced unit manufacturing costs. However, further improvements in
productivity and yield must be delivered; these improvements remain a major
priority for the operational management over the forthcoming months.
We have been making progress in other areas of the business. The Group continues
to seek additional 1st Generation syringe business, although no material new
contracts have been signed yet.
Licensing discussions with regard to 2nd Generation technology are progressing,
with several parties demonstrating commercial interest. In addition, the Company
has recently signed an exclusive distribution contract with Alaris Medical
Systems for the supply of the Vaxess IV cannula range within the UK acute care
hospital market.
We continue to assess intellectual property opportunities that will allow NMT to
broaden our safe drug delivery portfolio, particularly in the pre-filled syringe
arena.
The directors remain of the opinion that NMT will successfully defend the
ongoing patent infringement suit brought by Retractable Technologies, Inc.
(RTI), despite the addition of an earlier RTI patent to the litigation. The
addition of the further patent has delayed the trial date until the summer of
2004.
Commenting on the statement, Roy Smith, Chief Executive Officer said, "I am
delighted with the progress that we have achieved in the last four months.
However, whilst the performance is encouraging, the management team fully
recognises the importance of continuous financial and operational improvement.
We look forward to reporting on further progress throughout the year."
-Ends-
Enquiries:
NMT Group PLC
Roy Smith, Chief Executive Officer Tel: 01506 445004
Gerard Cassels, Group Finance Director Tel: 01506 445004
Financial Dynamics Tel: 0207 831 3113
Melanie Toyne-Sewell
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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