Grifols' : revenues increase by +5.6% to Euros 959 million, driven by growth of +10.9% for the Bioscience Division

• The Bioscience Division grows by +10.9% (+6.3% cc) and generates revenues of Euros 754.9 million. Positive growth of sales of the main plasma proteins
• Recurring revenues (excluding Raw Materials and Others) rise by +7.1%
• (+2.9% cc) to Euros 938.8 million
• The company continues to strengthen its geographical expansion: sales in ROW (Rest of World) increase by +15.6% (+15.8 cc)
• Solid operating results: EBITDA rises to Euros 282.5 million (+0.9%) and the EBITDA margin stands at 29.5% of revenues
• Increased depreciation charges for the new fractionation plant and a higher effective tax rate have a negative impact on net profit, which amounts to Euros 125.2 million and represents 13.1% of revenues
• The progressive reduction of leverage continues. The net debt to EBITDA ratio stands at 3.10x in March 2016 compared to 3.19x in December 2015
• Operating cash generation is maintained in order to fund growth projects. The cash balance is more than Euros 1,000 million and the liquidity position exceeds Euros 1,450 million
• The company has announced a new industrial expansion plan and continues with its initiatives to increase access to plasma

Barcelona, 5 May 2016.- Grifols (MCE: GRF, MCE: GRF.P and NASDAQ: GRFS) increased its net revenues by +5.6% (+1.5% cc) to Euros 958.9 million in the first quarter of 2016. Recurring sales (excluding Raw Materials and Others) grew by +7.1% (+2.9% cc), with revenues of Euros 938.8 million.

The Bioscience Division was the main driver of growth, with revenues rising by +10.9% (+6.3% cc) to Euros 754.9 million. The demand for plasma proteins continued its upward trend, with growth in the main proteins and a notable contribution from sales of alpha-1 antitrypsin and albumin. The company maintained the leadership position of its IVIG at global level.

Revenues of the Diagnostic Division amounted to Euros 161.0 million, decreasing by -6.7% (-9.9% cc). For comparison purposes, the revenues reported in the first quarter of 2015 included the impact of certain contracts for systems using NAT technology (Procleix® NAT Solutions) signed in Japan, as well as higher revenues deriving from the old contract signed with Abbott, which remained in force during the first half of 2015. The new contract signed in July 2015, with a total value of approximately USD 700 million, includes new conditions and extends the supply of antigens until 2026.

Revenues of the Hospital Division were stable at Euros 22.8 million compared with Euros 23.3 million for the same period of 2015, falling by -1.8% (-1.2% cc). These revenues continue to be impacted by the slowdown in public tenders relating to the areas of Pharmatech (which includes hospital logistics) and Contract Manufacturing. Grifols continues to lay the foundations for the growth of this division in the United States.

Grifols' EBITDA rose by +0.9% to Euros 282.5 million. The EBITDA margin was 29.5% of revenues.

The geographic mix of revenues and improved manufacturing efficiencies helped to offset the negative impact on margins caused by the simultaneous operation of the two fractionation plants in Clayton (North Carolina, United States) while all production is transferred to the new plant; as well as higher plasma costs from the acceleration of investments for the opening of new donor centres, and the trend towards greater incentives to reward donors for their time. The margins seen in the first quarter of 2015 were also favoured by revenues from royalties relating to the transfusion diagnostics unit, which decline in 2016.

EBIT was impacted by the higher depreciation charges expected following the progressive start of operations at the new fractionation plant at Clayton. In the first quarter of 2016, EBIT stood at Euros 231.5 million (-2.1%), representing 24.1% of revenues.

The financial result improved due to lower financial expenses mainly related to the lower impact of exchange differences.

Grifols' net profit was Euros 125.2 million (-2.5%). This represents 13.1% of the company's net revenues. The increase in depreciation charges relating to the new fractionation plant and a higher effective tax rate compared with the first quarter of 2015 explain its evolution.

Grifols' effective tax rate was 24.0%, reflecting the contribution of profits from the different geographical regions in which the company operates.

At the end of the first quarter of 2016, net financial debt was Euros 3,614.7 million, showing the progressive reduction of indebtedness. Most of the company's financial debt is denominated in US Dollars and was favoured by the moderate appreciation of the Euro against the Dollar in the first quarter of the year. Consequently, the net debt to EBITDA ratio fell to 3.10x, compared with 3.19x reported in December 2015. Excluding the exchange rate impact, it was 3.22x.

Grifols maintains strong operating cash generation in order to fund planned growth projects and meet its objective of reducing financial leverage, which remains a priority.

At 31 March 2016, the company's cash position exceeded Euros 1,000 million, with undrawn credit lines for more than Euros 450 million. The group's liquidity position was above Euros 1,450 million.

Total consolidated assets as at March 2016 were Euros 9,239.0 million.

On 4 January 2016, the stock split approved by Grifols' Board of Directors became effective. Consequently, the company's share capital as at 31 March 2016 was unchanged at Euros 119.6 million, although the total number of shares was modified. Following the stock split, Grifols' share capital was represented by 426,129,798 ordinary shares (Class A) with a nominal value of Euros 0.25 per share and 261,425,110 non-voting shares (Class B) with a nominal value of Euros 0.05 per share.

Key figures for the first quarter of 2016:

REVENUES BY DIVISION

Bioscience Division: 78.7% of revenues

Revenues of the Bioscience Division rose by +10.9% compared with the first quarter of 2015, to Euros 754.9 million. On a like-for-like basis, at constant exchange rates (cc), they grew by +6.3%. The company is focused on the growth in demand for its main proteins, geographical expansion and innovation.

Sales of alpha-1 antitrypsin contributed significant growth driven by North America and Europe, which is the result of the effectiveness of Grifols alpha-1 screening programs in those regions. Sales of this protein continue to be one of the division's drivers of growth, and reflect the ongoing commercial efforts made to strengthen the pneumology area and to position Grifols in the field of respiratory diseases.

Sales of albumin were very strong in China and the United States, the main markets for this protein, while sales of factor VIII maintained its upward trend, driven by growth in the commercial market, mainly in the United States, and by the increased volumes provided by the public tenders market. The growth in sales of IVIG was steady, with a stabilisation of the competitive dynamic seen for this plasma product in the United States in recent periods.

Grifols continued with its strategy of pursuing balanced growth in sales of plasma products in order to optimise raw materials costs and production capacity.

The most significant milestones of the first quarter of 2016 included the following:

• FDA approval to use the fraction IV-1 produced at the Parets del Vallès fractionation plant (Barcelona, Spain) in the purification plant also located in Parets del Vallès for producing the alpha-1 antitrypsin marketed in Europe. Until that time, it had been possible to use only the intermediate product manufactured at the Clayton fractionation plant, so this approval provides flexibility, agility and greater efficiency for the production processes, in line with Grifols' goals.
• Grifols' logistics centre in Ireland obtained authorisation from the Irish medicines agency (Health Products Regulatory Authority, HPRA) to import and store plasma and intermediate products, as well as to import, label and distribute finished medicinal products from Grifols' three hemoderivatives manufacturing plants in the United States and Spain. This authorisation represents an important milestone for the start of activity in the facilities.

With regard to investment, the company continues with its policy of increasing its industrial capacity and plasma collection. To this end, Grifols has announced a new industrial expansion plan and is going ahead with its initiatives to increase plasma availability by opening new donor centres in the United States. In this regard, after the end of the first quarter, Grifols announced the agreement with Interstate Blood Bank Inc. (IBBI) to acquire 49% of its share capital for USD 100 million, subject to approval by the US competition authorities. In this way, Grifols strengthens its existing commercial ties with this company.

Diagnostic Division: 16.8% of revenues

Revenues of the Diagnostic Division amounted to Euros 161.0 million, decreasing by -6.7% (-9.9% cc). The blood typing line continues to be the division's main growth driver. Sales of instruments (Wadiana® and Erytra®) and blood-typing reagents (DG-Gel® cards) remained strong and continued to drive the division's penetration of the United States. This market has great potential for Grifols.

Revenues from systems using NAT technology (Procleix® NAT Solutions) for virological screening of blood donations and plasma were stable, despite the competitive landscape and the lower number of blood transfusions performed in certain developed countries. In comparative terms, however, these revenues were penalised by the high revenues reported in the same quarter of 2015, when a number of contracts signed in Japan were recognised.

When comparing sales of antigens used to manufacture diagnostic immunoassays it must be taken into account the impact of the new contract signed with Abbott which entered into force in the second half of 2015, with the old one remaining in force during the first part of the year. The new contract, with a total value of approximately USD 700 million, includes new conditions and extends the supply of antigens until 2026, ensuring higher levels of recurring income for this business line.

The most significant milestones of the first quarter of 2016 included the following:

• The company continues to make major efforts to promote its global expansion and strengthen its presence in strategic markets. Among the notable initiatives during the quarter, was the company's presence at the 2016 Arab Health Exhibition & Congress one of the most important events held in the Middle East.
• A significant initiative in the field of innovation was the launch of an update for the Procleix® Tigris® system, the reference automated platform for blood banks all over the world, which allows blood donations to be analysed and screened for viruses. Under the name MAX Package, the system makes it possible to improve processing capacity.
• In relation to strategic agreements, Grifols will be marketing the new Meridian Illumigene diagnostic test in Spain, which allows detection of the malaria virus. Meridian recently received the CE Mark for this test. Illumigene is notable for its speed and effectiveness of diagnosis.

Hospital Division: 2.4% of revenues

Revenues of the Hospital Division were stable at Euros 22.8 million compared with Euros 23.3 million for the same period of 2015, -1.8% (-1.2% cc). These revenues remain impacted by the slowdown in public tenders relating to the areas of Pharmatech (which includes hospital logistics) and Contract Manufacturing.

Grifols continues to lay the foundations for the growth of this division in the United States. A significant event during the quarter was the first introduction of the Kiro® Oncology system, which automates the preparation of intravenous medication for chemotherapy, in this market. The prestigious Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago was the first centre in the United States to adopt this system, with training and support provided by Grifols' team.

Raw Materials and Others Division: 2.1% of revenues

Grifols' non-recurring revenues in the Raw Materials and Others Division amounted to Euros 20.1 million, representing 2.1% of total revenues. These include, among others, third-party engineering projects performed by Grifols Engineering, all income deriving from manufacturing agreements with Kedrion, and revenues from royalties. As anticipated, the lower revenues for this division are directly related to the reduction in royalties earned by the transfusion diagnostics unit.

Revenues by division:

REVENUES BY GEOGRAPHIC REGION

94.0% of Grifols' revenues were generated in international markets. The company continued to focus heavily on international markets in the first quarter of 2016.

In the United States and Canada, revenues rose by Euros 618.6 million, representing an increase of +9.1% (+2.6% cc). In the European Union, revenues fell by -6.5% (-6.6% cc) to Euros 159.8 million. Sales of plasma products (Bioscience Division) remained positive in both regions. However, the lower number of blood transfusions performed in certain developed countries restricted revenue growth in the area of transfusion medicine using NAT technology (Diagnostic Division) in the European and US markets.

The highest growth was seen in ROW (Rest of World), where revenues increased by +15.6% (+15.8% cc), and it already accounts for 16.7% of total revenues. Global expansion is one of the company's main strategic pillars, and the Asia-Pacific region continues to be a priority due to its high potential for growth.

Revenues by geographic region:

INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES: R&D, CAPEX AND ACQUISITIONS

Research & Development (R&D)

From January to March 2016, net investment in R&D amounted to Euros 51.0 million, representing 5.3% of revenues.

In addition, Grifols invested Euros 3.8 million in AlbaJuna Therapeutics, a spin-off from the IrsiCaixa Institute for AIDS Research, which is developing a new treatment strategy based on monoclonal antibodies with great potential to neutralise HIV and activate the 'natural killer' cells responsible for destroying cells infected by the virus.

The company continuous with various research projects in all its divisions.

Capital Expenditure (CAPEX)

In the first three months of the year, Grifols invested Euros 57.5 million to continue improving and expanding the manufacturing facilities of its three divisions. The investments under way are progressing as planned.

In addition, Grifols' Board of Directors approved a new industrial investment plan for the Bioscience Division, amounting to USD 360 million for the period 2016-2021, with the aim of ensuring sustained growth for the company over the long term. The planned new investments will allow Grifols to increase its production capacity in order to meet the growing demand for plasma products until 2028-2030.

The plan includes the construction of four plants: a plasma fractionation plant and an immunoglobulin purification plant, both in Clayton (United States); an albumin purification plant in Dublin (Ireland); and an alpha-1 antitrypsin purification plant in Barcelona (Spain).

The breakdown of these various projects is as follows:

The new fractionation plant will increase Grifols' plasma needs. To ensure sufficient supplies of plasma, in 2015 the company approved a plan for the opening of new plasma donor centres in the United States, as well as the expansion, renovation and relocation of existing centres. The aim is to bring the total number of active plasmapheresis centres to 225 by 2021. The company already has 160 operational centres boasting the latest technology to increase the efficiency of the donation process.

In addition, Grifols plans to build a third analysis laboratory to absorb the increase in samples deriving mainly from the planned plasma donor centres. This is expected to be operational before 2019.

Acquisitions

Minority stake (49%) in Interstate Blood Bank Inc. (IBBI)

After the end of the quarter, Grifols reached an agreement to make a financial investment of USD 100 million for 49% of the share capital of Interstate Blood Bank Inc. IBBI is one of the main private and independent plasma suppliers in the United States. The agreement includes an option to acquire the remaining 51% of the share capital for an additional USD 100 million. The purchase option price is USD 10 million and has to be exercised by 2019.

The acquisition of this stake will enable Grifols to strengthen its existing commercial ties with this company.

Increase of Grifols' stake in Progenika to 89.1%

In the first quarter of 2016, Grifols exercised the option to acquire 32.9% of Progenika's shares for a total of Euros 25 million. Following this operation, Grifols' stake in Progenika increased to 89.1% of the share capital.

Progenika specialises in the design and production of genomic and proteomic tests for in vitro diagnostics, disease prognosis, response prediction and drug therapy monitoring. It is also a pioneer in the development of molecular diagnostic technologies. With this acquisition, Grifols once again reinforces its commitment to research and development for its Diagnostic Division.