Serono S.A. 6-K 04/22/2004

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
________

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of April, 2004
 
Serono S.A.
 

 
(Registrant’s Name)
 
 
 
 
 
15 bis, Chemin des Mines
 
 
Case Postale 54
 
 
CH-1211 Geneva 20
 
 
Switzerland
 

 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
 
 
 
 
1-15096
 

 
(Commission File No.)
 
 
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)

Form 20-F x Form 40-F o

(Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101 (b)(1).) o

(Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101 (b)(7).) o

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.)

Yes o No x

(If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-______)

 
     

 


Media Release

FOR RELEASE APRIL 22, 2004, 7:00 am CET


 
EXCELLENT FIRST QUARTER WITH TOTAL REVENUES UP 25.9% TO $557.1M
AND STRONG EARNINGS PER SHARE GROWTH OF 77.3%
 
- 2004 net income guidance increased to at least 20% growth -



Geneva, Switzerland, April 22, 2004 – Serono (virt-x: SEO and NYSE: SRA), the third largest biotechnology company in the world, today reported its first quarter results for the period ended March 31, 2004.


Key Points for First Quarter 2004
   
Ø
Total revenues up 25.9% to $557.1m (up 16.4% in local currencies)
   
Ø
Product sales up 26.7% to $516.7m (up 16.7% in local currencies)
 
 
Ø
Net income up 76.4% to $106.1m (up 54.7% in local currencies)
 
 
Ø
Basic EPS up 77.3% to $6.73 per bearer share and $0.17 per ADS
 
 
Ø
Increase in 2004 net income growth outlook to at least 20% in local currencies
 
 
Ø
R&D milestones achieved: start of Rebif® vs Copaxone® head-to-head trial and successful completion of Phase I program for oral cladribine
 
 
Ø
Swiss approval of Raptiva®
 
 
Ø
European approval of Gonal-f® prefilled pen

“Our first quarter performance was very strong with all of our businesses doing well.” said Ernesto Bertarelli, Chief Executive Officer of Serono. “With such momentum, I am very pleased to increase our guidance for net income growth to at least 20% for the full year.”

 
  -more-   

 
 
First Quarter Financial Performance

Total revenues increased by 25.9% to $557.1m in the first quarter of 2004 (Q1 2003: $442.4m), or 16.4% in local currencies, reflecting strong underlying growth. Product sales grew 26.7% to $516.7m (Q1 2003: $407.8m), or 16.7% in local currencies, with strong growth from the lead products in each of the therapeutic areas. Royalty and license income increased by 16.6% to $40.4m (Q1 2003: $34.6m), indicative of the company’s strong intellectual property rights.

Gross margin increased to 85.4% of product sales (Q1 2003: 84.6%), as a result of continuing manufacturing improvements.

Selling, General and Administrative expenses were $184.2m or 33.1% of total revenues (Q1 2003: $140.9m or 31.9% of total revenues). The increase in SG&A as a percentage of revenues reflects the investment in pre-launch activities in our new therapeutic area of psoriasis.

Research and Development expenses were $126.2m or 22.7% of total revenues (Q1 2003: $127.9m or 28.9% of total revenues, or 23.2% of total revenues without the Raptiva® milestone payment to Genentech of $25m in that quarter).

Other operating expenses were $54.9m (Q1 2003: $45.8m). Operating income increased by 78.2% to $116.1m or 20.8% of total revenues (Q1 2003: 65.2m or 14.7% of total revenues) and financial income net was $9.0m (Q1 2003: $6.7m).

Total taxes were $20.0m, representing an overall tax rate of 16.0% of profit before tax (Q1 2003: $11.5m, or 16.0% of profit before tax).

Reported net income was up 76.4% to $106.1m (Q1 2003: $60.2m), or 54.7% in local currencies. Excluding the Raptiva® milestone payment to Genentech made in the first quarter of 2003, net income was up 30.8% or 17.7% in local currencies.

Basic earnings per share (EPS) were up 77.3% to $6.73 per bearer share (Q1 2003: $3.80) and $0.17 per American Depositary Share (ADS) (Q1 2003: $0.09).

For the first quarter, net cash flow from operating activities was $102.9m (Q1 2003: $115.2m). Excluding the one-time payment of $55m received from OSI Pharmaceuticals in the first quarter of 2003, operating cash flows increased 70.9%.

As part of our ongoing share buy-back plan, in the first quarter we have purchased CHF131.5m of our bearer shares. Since the commencement of this plan in July 2002, we have bought back shares for a total amount of CHF350.6m, representing 70.1% of the CHF500m authorized amount.

As of March 31, 2004, there were 15,679,471 outstanding equivalent bearer shares of Serono S.A.

 
   -more-  

 
 
Neurology

Neurology sales were $265.5m (Q1 2003: $180.4m) in the first quarter, up 47.2% or 33.7% in local currencies. Sales of Rebif® were up 48.2% (34.2% in local currencies) to $259.6m (Q1 2003: $175.2m).

Rebif® continues its market leadership outside the US with sales increasing by 45.9% to $196.9m (Q1 2003: $134.9m), or 28.3% in local currencies. The Rebif® ready-to-use prefilled syringe is now available with a new ultra-fine needle (29 gauge) in all European countries.

Sales of Rebif® in the US were up 55.7% to $62.7m in the first quarter. Rebif®, the fastest growing MS therapy in the US, continues to gain market share and reached 15.6% of total prescriptions at the end of the first quarter, compared with 13.4% at the end of 2003.

Novantrone® sales in MS in the first quarter were $5.9m (Q1 2003: $5.1m). Total Novantrone® sales were up 19.0% to $15.3m (Q1 2003: $12.8m).

Reproductive Health

In the first quarter, reproductive health sales grew 5.9% to $170.2m (Q1 2003: $160.6m). Sales of Gonal-f® increased by 12.6% (3.8% in local currencies) to $137.4m (Q1 2003: $122.0m).

Serono’s core reproductive health portfolio consisting of three recombinant hormones (Gonal-f®, Ovidrel®/Ovitrelle®, Luveris®) and two complementary products (Cetrotide®, Crinone®) grew by 13.4% (4.5% in local currencies) to $154.8m.

In keeping with the plan of phasing out urinary products, urine-derived gonadotropins sales were $12.9m in the first quarter or 7.6% of reproductive health sales (Q1 2003: $21.8m or 13.6% of reproductive health sales).

In February, the European Commission approved the Gonal-f® prefilled pen, the first ready-to-use pen for the treatment of infertility. The Gonal-f® prefilled pen, which combines the efficacy of the most consistent FSH with enhanced accuracy of dosing, will be available in 3 multidose strengths.

Metabolic Endocrinology

In the first quarter, sales of Serono’s recombinant growth hormone products rose by 17.2% to $62.2m (Q1 2003: $53.0m). Saizen® sales increased by 22.8% (11.5% in local currencies) to $40.7m (Q1 2003: $33.1m). Serostim® sales increased by 8.0% (7.9% in local currencies) to $21.5m (Q1 2003: $19.9m).

 
   -more-  

 
 
Psoriasis

In March, Raptiva® (efalizumab) was approved by Swissmedic, the Swiss regulatory authority, for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Raptiva®’s Swiss approval is the first approval of a biological therapy for psoriasis in Europe and ex-US. In the European Union, the opinion of the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products is expected by the end of June 2004.

Raptiva® provides effective and safe long-term control of the disease and can be self-administered by patients as a single, once-weekly, subcutaneous injection.

Regional Sales

North American sales grew by 22.9% to $183.3m (Q1 2003: $149.2m). European sales increased by 27.0% (8.8% in local currencies) to $230.6m (Q1 2003: $181.5m). In the rest of the world, sales grew by 33.5% (27.8% in local currencies) to $102.8m (Q1 2003: $77.0m).

R&D News

In February, Serono and InDex announced an agreement under which Serono receives exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize InDex’s product Kappaproct® for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and potentially other inflammatory diseases. Kappaproct® is an antisense inhibitor of the p65 protein, a key activator of the pro-inflammatory NF-kappa B pathway. Kappaproct® is currently in Phase II for ulcerative colitis.

Given the positive results from two Phase I clinical trials of a new proprietary oral formulation of cladribine announced in March, and the clinical data already available, Serono intends to meet with the US Food and Drug Administration, and the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products, to discuss the next steps of clinical development.

A multicentre multinational head-to-head trial comparing Rebif® vs. Copaxone® was initiated in January 2004 to investigate the relative efficacy of the two drugs. This is a 2-year study involving more than 600 patients with relapsing remitting MS. The primary endpoint is the time to first relapse during 96 weeks of therapy.

Outlook for 2004

Given the strong first quarter performance, Serono raises its 2004 guidance for net income growth to at least 20%. This guidance is in local currencies relative to 2003 reported net income of $390.0m.

 
   -more-  

 
 
Conference Call and Webcast

Serono will hold a conference call on April 22nd, 2004, starting at 15:00 Central European Time (9:00 am Eastern Time) during which Serono Management will present the Company's First Quarter 2004 Results. To join the telephone conference please dial 412 858 4600 (from the US), 091 610 5600 (from Switzerland), 0207 866 4111 (from the UK) and +41 91 610 5600 (from elsewhere). Telephone playback will be available one hour after the conference call and until close of business 5.00 pm ET on April 29th, 2004. To access this playback please dial the following numbers: 412 858 1440 (from the US), 091 612 4330 (from Switzerland), 0207 866 4300 (from the UK) and +41 91 612 4330 (from elsewhere) and enter the PIN code 247# from a touch tone telephone.

The event will also be relayed by live audio webcast, which interested parties may access via Serono's Corporate home page, www.serono.com. A link to the webcast will be provided immediately prior to the event and will be available for replay following the event.

###
Some of the statements in this press release are forward looking. Such statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Serono and affiliates to be materially different from those expected or anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on Serono’s current expectations and assumptions, which may be affected by a number of factors, including those discussed in this press release and more fully described in Serono’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 2004. These factors include any failure or delay in Serono’s ability to develop new products, any failure to receive anticipated regulatory approvals, any problems in commercializing current products as a result of competition or other factors, our ability to obtain reimbursement coverage for our products, and government regulations limiting our ability to sell our products. Serono has no responsibility to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.
###

About Serono
Serono is a global biotechnology leader. The Company has seven recombinant products, Rebif®, Gonal-F®, Luveris®, Ovidrel®/Ovitrelle®, Serostim®, Saizen® and Zorbtive™ (Luveris® is not approved in the USA). In addition to being the world leader in reproductive health, Serono has strong market positions in neurology, metabolism and growth. The Company's research programs are focused on growing these businesses and on establishing new therapeutic areas. Currently, there are approximately 30 ongoing development projects.

In 2003, Serono achieved worldwide revenues of US$2,018.6 million, and a net income of US$390.0 million, making it the third largest biotech company in the world. Its products are sold in over 90 countries. Bearer shares of Serono S.A., the holding company, are traded on the virt-x (SEO) and its American Depositary Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (SRA).

 
   -more-  

 
 
For more information, please contact:

Serono in Geneva, Switzerland:
Media Relations:
Investor Relations:
Tel:   
+41-22-739 36 00
Tel:   
+41-22-739 36 01
Fax:   
+41-22-739 30 85
Fax:   
+41-22-739 30 22
http://www.serono.com
Reuters:
SEO.VX / SRA
 
Bloomberg:
SEO VX / SRA US
Serono, Inc., Rockland, MA
 
Media Relations:
Investor Relations:
Tel.
+1 781 681 2340
Tel.
+1 781 681 2552
Fax:
+1 781 681 2935
Fax:
+1 781 681 2912
http://www.seronousa.com
 

On the following pages, there are:
·
Tables detailing sales in dollars by therapeutic area, geographic region and the top 10 products for the 3 months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003.
·
Consolidated statements of income for the 3 months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, the consolidated statements of cash flows for the 3 months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, as well as consolidated statements of equity as of March 31, 2004 and 2003. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of International Financial Reporting Standards.

 
   -more-  

 

 

Sales by therapeutic area

 
 
 
 

Three Months Ended

   
 
 

Three Months Ended

 
 
 

March 31, 2004

   
 
 

March 31, 2003

 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
$ million
 

% of sales

 

% change $

 

$ million

 

% of sales

 

 
Neurology
   
265.5
   
51.4
%
 
47.2
%
 
180.4
   
44.2
%
Reproductive Health
   
170.2
   
32.9
%
 
5.9
%
 
160.6
   
39.4
%
Growth & Metabolism
   
62.2
   
12.0
%
 
17.2
%
 
53.0
   
13.0
%
Others
   
18.8
   
3.7
%
 
37.1
%
 
13.7
   
3.4
%
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

 
Total sales (US$ million)
 
$
516.7
   
100
%
 
26.7
%
$
407.8
   
100
%
 
 
 
Sales by geographic region
 
 
 
 

Three Months Ended

   
 
 

Three Months Ended

 
 
 

March 31, 2004

   
 
 

March 31, 2003

 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
$ million
 

% of sales

 

% change $

 
$ million
 

% of sales

 

 
Europe
   
230.6
   
44.6
%
 
27.0
%
 
181.5
   
44.5
%
North America
   
183.3
   
35.5
%
 
22.9
%
 
149.2
   
36.6
%
Latin America
   
26.4
   
5.1
%
 
70.6
%
 
15.5
   
3.8
%
Others
   
76.5
   
14.8
%
 
24.1
%
 
61.6
   
15.1
%
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

 
Total sales (US$ million)
 
$
516.7
   
100
%
 
26.7
%
$
407.8
   
100
%

 
   -more-  

 
 
TOP TEN PRODUCTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 

Three Months Ended

   
 
 

Three Months Ended

 
 
   
 
 

March 31, 2004

   
 
 

March 31, 2003

 
         
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
   
* TA
 
$ million
 

% of sales

 

% change $

 
$ million
 

% of sales

 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Rebif®
   
MS
   
259.6
   
50.2
%
 
48.2
%
 
175.2
   
43.0
%
Gonal-f®
   
RH
   
137.4
   
26.6
%
 
12.6
%
 
122.0
   
29.9
%
Saizen®
   
Growth
   
40.7
   
7.9
%
 
22.8
%
 
33.1
   
8.1
%
Serostim®
   
Wasting
   
21.5
   
4.2
%
 
8.0
%
 
19.9
   
4.9
%
Novantrone®
   
MS/Oncology
   
15.3
   
3.0
%
 
19.0
%
 
12.8
   
3.1
%
Pergonal®
   
RH
   
7.4
   
1.4
%
 
(28.0
%)
 
10.3
   
2.5
%
Cetrotide®
   
RH
   
6.3
   
1.2
%
 
12.4
%
 
5.6
   
1.4
%
Crinone®
   
RH
   
4.5
   
0.9
%
 
(0.1
%)
 
4.5
   
1.1
%
Stilamin®
   
Other
   
4.1
   
0.8
%
 
25.0
%
 
3.3
   
0.8
%
Ovidrel®
   
RH
   
3.9
   
0.8
%
 
67.3
%
 
2.3
   
0.6
%

 
* Therapeutic Areas
 
RH
= Reproductive Health
Wasting
= AIDS Wasting
 
MS
= Multiple Sclerosis
Growth
= Growth Retardation
 
Oncology
= Oncology
 
 

 
   -more-  

 
 
Consolidated Income Statements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31
 

2004 *

 

% of

   
 
 

2003 *

 

% of

 
 
 

US$'000

 

Revenues

 

% change

 

US$'000

 

Revenues

 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Revenues
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Product sales
   
516,713
   
 
   
26.7
%
 
407,786
   
 
 
Royalty and license income
   
40,378
   
 
   
16.6
%
 
34,620
   
 
 

 
Total Revenues
   
557,091
   
100.0
%
 
25.9
%
 
442,406
   
100.0
%

 
Operating Expenses
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Cost of product sales
   
75,669
   
 
   
20.8
%
 
62,631
   
 
 
% of Sales
   
14.6
%
 
 
   
 
   
15.4
%
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
   
184,203
   
33.1
%
 
30.7
%
 
140,916
   
31.9
%
Research and development
   
126,199
   
22.7
%
 
(1.4
%)
 
127,937
   
28.9
%
Other operating expense, net
   
54,871
   
9.8
%
 
19.9
%
 
45,751
   
10.3
%

 
Total Operating Expenses
   
440,942
   
79.2
%
 
16.9
%
 
377,235
   
85.3
%

 
Operating Income
   
116,149
   
20.8
%
 
78.2
%
 
65,171
   
14.7
%

 
Financial income, net
   
9,034
   
 
   
35.7
%
 
6,656
   
 
 
Other income, net
   
4
   
 
   
 
   
226
   
 
 

 
Total Non Operating Income, Net
   
9,038
   
 
   
 
   
6,883
   
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Before Taxes and Minority Interests
   
125,187
   
22.5
%
 
73.7
%
 
72,054
   
16.3
%
Taxes
   
20,031
   
 
   
 
   
11,529
   
 
 

 
Income Before Minority Interests
   
105,156
   
 
   
 
   
60,525
   
 
 
Minority interests
   
(974
)
 
 
   
 
   
365
   
 
 

 
Net Income
   
106,130
   
19.1
%
 
76.4
%
 
60,160
   
13.6
%

 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
* Unaudited
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 

2004

 

2003

 

% Change

   
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Basic Earnings per Share (in U.S. dollars)
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

             
- Bearer shares
   
6.73
   
3.80
   
77.3
%
 
 
   
 
 

             
- Registered shares
   
2.69
   
1.52
   
77.3
%
 
 
   
 
 

             
- American depositary shares
   
0.17
   
0.09
   
77.3
%
 
 
   
 
 

             
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Diluted Earnings per Share (in U.S. dollars)
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

             
- Bearer shares
   
6.71
   
3.79
   
77.0
%
 
 
   
 
 

             
- Registered shares
   
2.69
   
1.52
   
77.0
%
 
 
   
 
 

             
- American depositary shares
   
0.17
   
0.09
   
77.0
%
 
 
   
 
 

             
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Basic earnings per share are calculated in accordance with IAS 33 (Earnings per Share) by dividing the net income of the group, US$106.1 million (2003 US$60.2 million), by an appropriate number of shares. This is 11,368,535 bearer shares (2003 11,443,975) and 11,013,040 registered shares (2003 11,013,040). The total weighted average equivalent number of bearer shares is 15,773,751 (2003 15,849,191) for the three months ended March 31, 2004. As each American depositary share represents ownership interest in one fortieth of a bearer share, basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share is calculated as one fortieth of the earnings per bearer share.
 
For diluted earnings per share, the total number of bearer shares is adjusted to assume conversion of all in the money share options granted to employees and directors and does not take into consideration the impact of the convertible bond because it is anti-dilutive. The number of bearer shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share is 11,403,634 (2003 11,451,180).

 
   -more-  

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Three months ended March 31
 

2004 *

 

2003 *

 
 
 

US$'000

 

US$'000

 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
   
 
   
 
 
Income before taxes and minority interests
   
125,187
   
72,054
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
33,204
   
34,498
 
Financial income
   
(16,864
)
 
(12,087
)
Financial expense
   
6,896
   
2,161
 
Other non-cash items
   
8,647
   
13,686
 

 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities Before Working Capital Changes
   
157,070
   
110,312
 

 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Working Capital Changes
   
 
   
 
 
Trade accounts payable, other current liabilities and deferred income
   
19,332
   
74,800
 
Trade accounts receivable
   
(16,154
)
 
(9,982
)
Inventories
   
1,148
   
(22,638
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
(20,817
)
 
(6,200
)
Taxes paid
   
(37,704
)
 
(31,081
)

 
Net Cash Flows From Operating Activities
   
102,875
   
115,211
 

 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
   
 
   
 
 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
   
(39,492
)
 
(57,468
)
Purchase of intangible and other long-term assets
   
(3,510
)
 
(7,257
)
Purchase of financial assets
   
(415,231
)
 
(130,926
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
   
2,954
   
2,220
 
Interest received
   
26,931
   
21,330
 

 
Net Cash Flows From Investing Activities
   
(428,348
)
 
(172,101
)

 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
   
 
   
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of share capital
   
10,333
   
13,090
 
Proceeds from exercises of stock options
   
318
   
159
 
Premiums received on written calls
   
--
   
384
 
Issuance of long-term financial debt
   
8,784
   
--
 
Purchase of treasury shares
   
(103,125
)
 
(24,637
)
Repayment of bank advances
   
(5,582
)
 
(9,260
)
Repayment of long-term debt
   
--
   
(1,517
)
Other non-current liabilities
   
1,985
   
(4,308
)
Interest paid
   
(1,894
)
 
(1,102
)

 
Net Cash Flows From Financing Activities
   
(89,181
)
 
(27,191
)

 
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents
   
(1,489
)
 
1,371
 

 
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents
   
(416,143
)
 
(82,710
)

 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
   
 
   
 
 
- Beginning of period
   
1,003,972
   
686,033
 

 
- End of period
   
587,829
   
603,323
 

 
 
   
 
   
 
 
* Unaudited
   
 
   
 
 

 
   -more-  

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
 
As of
 

March 31, 2004 *

 

December 31, 2003

 
 
 

US$'000

 

US$'000

 
Assets
   
 
   
 
 
Current Assets
   
 
   
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
587,829
   
1,003,972
 
Short-term financial assets
   
572,149
   
434,810
 
Trade accounts receivable
   
325,742
   
318,388
 
Inventories
   
288,779
   
319,820
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
237,007
   
220,334
 

 
Total Current Assets
   
2,011,506
   
2,297,324
 

 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Non-Current Assets
   
 
   
 
 
Property, plant and equipment
   
682,277
   
701,453
 
Long-term financial assets
   
1,382,371
   
1,104,333
 
Intangible assets
   
253,035
   
259,626
 
Deferred tax assets
   
168,264
   
169,693
 
Other long-term assets
   
38,562
   
39,174
 

 
Total Non-Current Assets
   
2,524,509
   
2,274,279
 

 
Total Assets
   
4,536,015
   
4,571,603
 

 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Liabilities
   
 
   
 
 
Current Liabilities
   
 
   
 
 
Trade and other payables
   
348,586
   
338,862
 
Short-term financial debts
   
44,925
   
51,224
 
Income taxes
   
123,556
   
146,086
 
Deferred income - current
   
47,300
   
47,200
 
Other current liabilities
   
155,460
   
170,019
 

 
Total Current Liabilities
   
719,827
   
753,391
 

 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Non-Current Liabilities
   
 
   
 
 
Long-term financial debts
   
525,598
   
532,022
 
Deferred tax liabilities
   
15,935
   
15,919
 
Deferred income - non current
   
167,996
   
174,911
 
Provisions and other long-term liabilities
   
216,129
   
213,556
 

 
Total Non-Current Liabilities
   
925,658
   
936,408
 

 
Total Liabilities
   
1,645,485
   
1,689,799
 

 
 
   
 
   
 
 

 
Minority Interests
   
614
   
1,614
 

 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Shareholders' Equity
   
 
   
 
 
Share capital
   
254,314
   
253,895
 
Share premium
   
1,019,681
   
1,002,991
 
Treasury shares
   
(257,578
)
 
(157,642
)
Retained earnings
   
1,775,830
   
1,669,700
 
Fair value and other reserves
   
32,751
   
22,711
 
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments
   
64,918
   
88,535
 

 
Total Shareholders' Equity
   
2,889,916
   
2,880,190
 

 
 
   
 
   
 
 

 
Total Liabilities, Minority Interests and Shareholders' Equity
   
4,536,015
   
4,571,603
 

 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
* Unaudited
   
 
   
 
 

 
   -more-  

 

 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Cumulative
   
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
foreign
   
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Fair value
   
currency
   
 
 
 
   
Share
   
Share
   
Treasury
   
Retained
   
and other
   
translation
   
 
 
 
   
capital
   
premium
   
shares
   
earnings
   
reserves
   
adjustments
   
Total
 
 
   
US$'000
   
US$'000
   
US$'000
   
US$'000
   
US$'000
   
US$'000
   
US$'000
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance as of January 1, 2003
   
253,416
   
989,141
   
(126,460
)
 
1,364,626
   
(44,807
)
 
25,282
   
2,461,198
 
Issue of share capital to employees
   
435
   
12,480
   
3,571
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
16,486
 
Net income for 2003
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
60,162
   
 
   
 
   
60,162
 
Purchase of treasury shares
   
 
   
 
   
(24,637
)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
(24,637
)
Revaluation adjustments
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
(6,705
)
 
 
   
(6,705
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
13,381
   
13,381
 

 
Balance as of March 31, 2003 *
   
253,851
   
1,001,621
   
(147,526
)
 
1,424,788
   
(51,512
)
 
38,663
   
2,519,885
 

 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance as of January 1, 2004
   
253,895
   
1,002,991
   
(157,642
)
 
1,669,700
   
22,711
   
88,535
   
2,880,190
 
Issue of share capital to employees
   
419
   
16,690
   
3,189
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
20,298
 
Net income for 2004
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
106,130
   
 
   
 
   
106,130
 
Purchase of treasury shares
   
 
   
 
   
(103,125
)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
(103,125
)
Revaluation adjustments
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
10,040
   
 
   
10,040
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
(23,617
)
 
(23,617
)

 
Balance as of March 31 2004 *
   
254,314
   
1,019,681
   
(257,578
)
 
1,775,830
   
32,751
   
64,918
   
2,889,916
 

 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
* Unaudited
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

 
   -end-  

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



 
 
 
 
SERONO S.A.
 
 
 
 
 
a Swiss corporation
 
 
 
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
April 22, 2004
 
By:
 
/s/ Allan Shaw
 

 
 
 
 
Name:
Allan Shaw
 
 
 
 
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer