Port Klang – CCM Duopharma Biotech Berhad (CCMD) recorded a 10.6 per cent increase in profit after tax (PAT) of RM32.04 million for its financial year ended December 31, 2007 (FY07) from RM28.98 million posted last year.

CCMD’s gross profits jumped 11.2 per cent to RM63.35 million from RM56.95 million on the back of a 9.9 per cent growth in revenue to RM115.55 million compared to RM105.10 million recorded in 2006.

The Company’s earnings per share also saw an increase of 10.5 per cent to 23.09 sen from 20.89 sen registered in the previous year and the increase in shareholder value exemplified CCMD’s role as one of the main profit contributors to the CCM Group.

The Board of Directors is not recommending any final dividend for the financial year ended December 31, 2007. The total dividend for FY07 is 96 per cent (48 sen) per share amounting to approximately RM48.6 million.

CCMD chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman told the Company’s seventh Annual General Meeting here that CCMD has implemented strategic initiatives to strengthen its presence in the local and international pharmaceutical market.

Meanwhile, CCMD recorded its first quarter revenue of RM27.47 million for the period ended March 31, 2008 (Q108), down 2.2 per cent from RM28.11 million posted in the corresponding quarter in 2007.

PAT shed 7.8 per cent to RM7.31 million from RM7.93 million achieved in the same period last year. The drop was mainly attributable to the increase in the prices of raw materials and absorbed by the Company as well as the decrease in sales to the private markets and government hospitals.
Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Abu Bakar said that despite the minor setback, CCMD expects increase in its revenues in the next quarter (Q2 08) following the implementation of the strategic initiatives.
 
“We believe that these initiatives will significantly enhance our market penetration and development efforts in the immediate term,” said Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Abu Bakar.

In 2007, CCMD added the Chewies children’s chewable vitamins, Milidon paracetamol analgesics and Cosmos dietary supplements, to extend its product portfolio following the CCM Group’s acquisition of Malayan Pharmaceutical’s brands and assets. These products will effectively enrich CCMD’s over-the-counter (OTC) product offering and enhance opportunities to capture a bigger slice of the market.

Following the acquisition, CCMD embarked on a rebranding exercise led by the repackaging of Chewies to create product appeal and introduced Chewies the Lion mascot in April 2008 to demonstrate the brand’s attributes and values to the children while helping them to develop a healthy body and alert mind.

CCMD’s wide range of products is also marketed online through the PosOnline web site, in collaboration with PosNiaga eShop. Among products available include Donna for effective relief of osteoarthritis symptoms and Natberry for relief of tired eyes.

CCMD also obtained the Halal certification for 17 of its products. Tan Sri Dato Dr Abu Bakar said that this would leverage CCMD’s halal credentials and accreditation by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) to penetrate the lucrative halal market by offering consumers, both Muslims and non-Muslims the benefits of its health supplements. CCMD also showcased its products at the World Halal Forum and the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) to inform and educate local and foreign consumers on the availability of quality halal pharmaceutical products.

“We are committed to improving our products and services to meet and exceed the consumers’ expectations. Through our investment in R&D efforts, we look forward to developing high quality and innovative products for the fast developing pharmaceutical industry,” said Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Abu Bakar.

Some of CCMD’s top OTC products in the market include Donna Forte 500mg, an extension of Donna 250mg, to treat symptoms of osteoarthritis, Diamelon which is derived from bitter gourd and is traditionally used to maintain general health and Legarin that contains silymarin to promote liver health.
CCM Duopharma Biotech Berhad is a subsidiary of CCM Berhad which is listed on the main board of Bursa Malaysia with a market capitalisation of RM1 billion and is a key player in the fertilizers, chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries.

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Issued with the compliments of Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad
For further information, please contact: Ida Fazila Ismail
of Eric Pringle Associates Public Relations Sdn Bhd
at Tel No: 21617144 or email: ifazila@epapr.com.my