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November 30th, 2007 Octapharma Receives Investment Grade “Baa2” Credit Rating from Moody`s Investors Service The Octapharma Group is currently experiencing a sustained period of high growth, with total sales growing at an average of greater than 30% pa over the last 3 years. Net sales are forecast to be in excess of €730 mil for 2007. The Octapharma Group is now in a very sound financial position as a result of this exceptional organic growth. It is also possible that future growth may be achieved by acquisitions, which depending on their size often require funding from external sources. So that the Group is better positioned to take advantage of any potential opportunities for acquisition that may arise in the future, Octapharma recently approached Moody’s Investors Service and requested Moody’s to conduct a credit rating of the Octapharma Group. We are very pleased to announce that the Octapharma Group has been assigned a “Baa2 senior unsecured long-term issuer rating with a stable outlook” from Moody`s. This is an investment grade credit rating, which will enable Octapharma to access external funding should this be necessary in the future. The enclosed press release from Moody`s confirms that the present Baa2 rating will still apply even after future reasonable acquisitions. Octapharma is very satisfied with the outcome of this initial credit rating by Moody’s, as it is external validation of the Company’s outstanding financial position by one of the top credit ratings agencies in the world. Octapharma will continue to maintain an annual rating by Moody’s to ensure we have ready access to future financing, in case it is required. If there are any question in relation to this announcement please contact the CFO of the Octapharma Group, Karl Erik Clausen at +41 55 451 21 23. Wolfgang Marguerre Karl Erik Clausen Chairman and CEO CFO © Octapharma AG, 2007 |