GALENICA TAKES OVER E-PRICA LTD
Galenica buys back Kudelski's share in the e-prica joint-venture and become full owner
Galenica and the Kudelski Group created the joint venture e-prica Ltd. in 2000. The company develops security systems for the electronic identification and communication of sensitive data in the Swiss healthcare market. e-prica has been fully taken over by Galenica retroactive to 1 January 2003 and has been organizationally integrated into the business sector Services. Kudelski's withdrawal from the capital of this joint-venture reflects the Group's willingness to focus on its core business. Galenica and Kudelski will however continue to cooperate on future projects.
e-prica's innovative technology can be applied at two levels. The Professional Card enables the secure authentication of communication between health specialists. This system already enjoys a high level of recognition among physicians and health insurance companies. The Professional Card will continue to be distributed by specialists within the Services business sector. The Patient's Card is also technically ready to be launched. Once the legal framework is in place, there will be nothing standing in the way of a rapid rollout.
Galenica
Galenica is a diversified group active throughout the healthcare market which, among other things, develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products, runs pharmacies, provides logistical and database services and sets up networks. The Galenica Group enjoys a leading position in all its areas of activity - pharmaceutical manufacturing, prewholesaling, distribution, associated services and retailing. A large part of the Group's income is generated by international operations.
Additional information concerning the Galenica Group can be found on our website www.galenica.com.
Kudelski
The Kudelski Group (www.nagra.com) is the world's leading provider of conditional access solutions for digital television. The Group also offers smart card-based physical access solutions for public sites (ski-lifts, car parks, events, etc.). The Nagra Audio division markets a range of professional and high-end hi-fi audio products.
Founded in 1951, the Kudelski Group is headquartered in Cheseaux-sur-Lausanne in Switzerland and employs more than 1'400 persons. The Kudelski stock (SW "KUD") is listed on the Swiss Market Index as well as on the Morgan Stanley Capital International Index
Contact:
GALENICA
René Jenny, Leiter Generaldirektion Märkte, Galenica Group
Tel. 031 990 85 17
Mail [email protected]
KUDELSKI
Catherine Hugon, Corporate Communications
Tel. 021 732 01 54
Mail [email protected]