EUR 106,7 million of revenue

Farmaceutical company Medis closed the first half of this year with revenue of €106.7 million, representing a 30 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Net profit nearly doubled during the same timeframe. Growth was driven primarily by expansion within its existing portfolio, particularly in rare diseases, oncology, and immunology, along with successful introduction of new specialty drugs into markets in Central and Eastern Europe. The growth of Medis, which currently employs 427 people, mainly pharmacists and other professionals, and operates through local teams in 19 markets in Central and Eastern Europe, has been notably international. Most of its revenue was generated outside Slovenia, with the highest growth recorded in Poland, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic. Maja Strnad Cestar, director of Medis, stated that such geographic diversification confirms the company's ability to provide access to modern treatments in very different healthcare and regulatory environments. She emphasized that diseases do not choose patients based on country, hence the company strives to ensure patients in different countries have similar opportunities for accessing appropriate therapies. In addition to increased revenues, Medis also raised the value added per employee to €153,000 in the first half of the year, significantly higher than the same period last year. Strnad Cestar highlighted that this value is created through the company’s own knowledge, experience, local presence, and continuous investments in employees, processes, and quality. She noted that financial stability and capital strength open doors for further investments in knowledge, strategic partnerships, new healthcare solutions, and expansion of local teams, including potential acquisitions. The good business results were largely due to the introduction of new specialty drugs recently made available to patients suffering from severe and rare diseases in various countries. Among these new drugs are treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare condition where parents previously often had to search abroad for treatment options, Friedreich’s ataxia, a rare neuromuscular disease, and a rare form of epilepsy. Alongside expanding its portfolio of drugs for rare diseases, Medis continues to strengthen its existing portfolio and presence in areas of oncology, dermatology, women's health, and grows its own brands for over-the-counter products. Dr. Martina Perharič, the professional director of Medis, stressed that merely delivering a new specialty drug to a specific country and ensuring its distribution to patients is insufficient. Instead, a comprehensive, professionally guided process is needed, involving a thorough understanding of the local healthcare system, inclusion of the treatment in funding systems, providing medical support to healthcare workers, monitoring drug safety, and consistently adhering to quality standards and compliance. Medis is well-equipped to handle all these aspects, she added. Meanwhile, Cinkarna Celje, a producer of white pigment in Celje, reported a net profit of €8.8 million for the first half of the year, down 28 percent compared to the same period last year. Revenue from product sales reached €104.5 million, a six percent decrease from the same time last year. Despite the decline, the company's semi-annual profit already exceeded this year's target of €8 million. However, it should be noted that the company's operations are subject to strong seasonal fluctuations. Last year, Cinkarna Celje achieved a net profit of €19 million, with two-thirds of that amount earned in the first half of the year. This year's target is set at 58 percent lower than last year's performance.