Shares in Aspen Pharmacare soared by more than 20% at the close of December, following a major strategic pivot. Africa’s largest drugmaker announced a landmark agreement to sell its entire Asia-Pacific (APAC) operations – excluding China – to Australia’s BGH Capital for A$2.37 billion (around R26.5 billion). The Aspen APAC divestment comes after an unsolicited offer from the private equity…
Tag: Aspen Pharmacare
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HIV Prevention in SA Needs Local Lenacapavir Manufacturing
South Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its long battle against HIV. While the country has made remarkable strides since the mass rollout of antiretrovirals, boosting rural life expectancy by over 10 years, a new medical innovation could accelerate progress even further. Experts warn that unless stakeholders prioritise local manufacturing, the drug’s full potential for HIV prevention may remain…
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Aspen Pharmacare Dispute Ends with R500m Settlement
Aspen Pharmacare is set to receive a R500m windfall following the resolution of a damaging legal battle with an undisclosed manufacturing client. This closes a seven-month chapter of significant financial uncertainty for Africa’s largest pharmaceutical producer. In a statement, Aspen advised shareholders that the dispute had been settled. The counterparty is required to pay the R500m “before December 1 2025,…
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Aspen Targets Mounjaro Expansion in Africa Following Approval
Aspen targeting Mounjaro expansion will bring the high-demand drug Mounjaro to Sub-Saharan Africa. Mounjaro is also known as tirzepatide. Launches across the continent are anticipated in 2026. CEO Stephen Saad confirmed this plan. He announced it in his annual letter to shareholders. The move follows major success in South Africa. It also comes after a new regulatory approval. This approval…
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Aspen Boosted by Mounjaro: A New Era in Weight Loss
Aspen Pharmacare’s share price saw a notable increase. This followed the announcement that the high-profile diabetes drug, Mounjaro (tirzepatide), has received approval from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) for use as a chronic weight management treatment. Aspen was notably boosted by Mounjaro’s approval, signalling a positive development for the company. The JSE-listed pharmaceutical giant confirmed that SAHPRA…
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Aspen Unlocking Value with New Manufacturing Strategies
Aspen Pharmacare’s CEO, Stephen Saad, has declared that all hands are on deck to overhaul the group’s manufacturing business. He identified the performance of its sterile unit as a significant drag on earnings. This underperformance has caused the market to undervalue the company. This move is part of Aspen’s effort to unlock value for its stakeholders and enhance its market…
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Pharma Giants Sidelined in R15.5bn HIV Drug Tender
The National Department of Health has awarded its latest three-year antiretroviral (ARV) tender, valued at R15.5 billion. This decision leaves several of South Africa’s largest domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers without a contract. The government’s procurement strategy sidelines pharma giants and sparks a fresh debate. This debate pits aggressive cost-saving measures against its stated goal of bolstering local industrial capacity. The tender…
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Ozempic and Mounjaro are reshaping South Africa’s health market
The landscape of weight management and diabetes treatment in South Africa is undergoing a dramatic transformation. This change is driven by the meteoric rise in popularity of a class of drugs known as GLP-1s, including Ozempic and Mounjaro. These medications, initially developed for Type 2 diabetes, have shown significant efficacy in promoting weight loss. As a result, there is unprecedented…
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Aspen Pharmacare Manufacturing Dispute Shrouded in Mystery
ASPEN Pharmacare has issued a stark warning to investors. They are signalling a potential R2 billion plunge in core earnings for its 2025 financial year. This is due to the significant Aspen Pharmacare manufacturing dispute detailed this week. In a regulatory filing on Tuesday, Aspen alerted shareholders to emerging risks. It highlighted a “material contractual dispute” with an unnamed contract…
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FDA warns Aspen Pharmacare over eye drop production standards
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has raised serious concerns regarding the manufacturing standards of eye drops produced by Aspen Pharmacare at its sterile facility in Gqeberha, South Africa. In a warning letter, the FDA highlighted potential risks of microbial contamination due to inadequate controls. The FDA’s warning letter, published following a September audit, revealed that Aspen’s manufacturing processes…
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Aspen secures licensing agreement to enter GLP-1 market
Aspen Pharmacare’s CEO, Stephen Saad, has celebrated the company’s new licensing agreement to enter the rapidly expanding GLP-1 agonist market. He said this milestone marks a “significant coup” for the company, enabling it to prepare for the market by 2026 and capitalise on the anticipated demand for diabetes and obesity treatment solutions. The global GLP-1 market, driven by increased demand…