Celadon Pharmaceuticals Regulatory News (CEL)

7 Feb 2008 07:00

Celsis International PLC07 February 2008 CELSIS INTERNATIONAL PLC ("Celsis", "the Company" or "the Group") INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT 7 February 2008: Celsis International plc, the life sciences products andlaboratory services company, today provides its Interim Management Statement forthe quarter ended 31 December 2007. Celsis has continued to see strong trading into the second half of the financialyear following its positive interim results. Excellent performances have beenseen from the Rapid Detection and In Vitro Technologies divisions, particularlyduring December, and the Group overall continues to trade in line with theBoard's expectations. The Rapid Detection division, which provides rapid microbial detection systemsto more quickly ensure product safety and quality, has continued to build on itssolid first half instrument placements and reagent and consumable sales, withstrong demand across all geographical regions and sectors of this business.This positive trend is expected to continue for the remainder of the financialyear. The In Vitro Technologies division, which provides in vitro products anddevelopment services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries toreduce the time and cost of drug discovery and development, remains on track andhas seen very good trading during this quarter. Encouraging growth from thisdivision is expected to continue as its sales team builds momentum andstrengthens its presence in both North America and the EU. First full yearresults from the IVT division are expected to be healthy with a strong mix ofproduct sales. The Analytical Services division, which provides outsourced laboratory testingservices to the pharmaceutical industry, has seen good progress from three ofits four business areas in this quarter, although there has been continuedconsolidation of the Celsis New Jersey chemistry business following excellentprior year performance. Focused marketing and business development plans are inplace to recover this segment but are not likely to come to full fruition beforethe year end. Although the other three businesses are progressing well, theAnalytical Services division is expected to complete the full year slightly downon last year's exceptional 25% increase. Commenting on today's announcement, Jay LeCoque, CEO of Celsis said: "Celsis iswell positioned to grow organically, with progress in the Rapid Detection and InVitro Technologies divisions being particularly encouraging during the quarter.In addition, we continue to review new acquisition opportunities. Overall, theCompany looks forward to a positive year end performance, with revenue andprofit growth in line with the Board's expectations." ENQUIRIES: Celsis International plc Tel: 01223 598 428Jay LeCoque, Chief Executive OfficerChristian Madrolle, Finance Director and Company Secretary Financial Dynamics Tel: 020 7831 3113Ben AtwellDavid Yates Notes to editors Celsis International plc Celsis International plc is a world leading provider of innovative life scienceproducts and laboratory services to the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, andconsumer products industries through its three business areas; rapid detection,analytical and drug development services and ADME-Tox in vitro technologies.The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (CEL.L) Each division of Celsis International plc has the capacity to deliversubstantial time and cost savings to its customers, in addition to ensuringproduct quality and safety for consumers. Celsis Rapid Detection divisionutilises proprietary enzyme technology to develop and supply diagnostic testinginstruments and consumables for the rapid detection of microbial contaminationin pharmaceutical and consumer products. These rapid testing systems providesignificant economic value by reducing the time it takes to test and release rawmaterials, in process and finished goods to market. Celsis Analytical Servicesdivision provides cost effective outsourced laboratory testing services topharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. Its comprehensive serviceofferings include a full spectrum of laboratory services from drug developmentand discovery to analytical chemistry and biological sciences to stabilitystorage and testing. Celsis In Vitro Technologies (Celsis IVT) employsproprietary expertise in hepatocyte (liver cell) technology to supply in vitrotesting products to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. CelsisIVT's consumable testing products screen drug compounds for liver toxicity earlyin the drug discovery process, thereby reducing the time and cost of furtherdevelopment or trial on those compounds which will not be properly metabolisedby the human liver. Further information can be found on its website at www.celsis.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange