Alpharma AS

www.alpharma.com

The Fine Chemicals Division of Alpharma is the world's leading producer of several important pharmaceutical grade bulk antibiotics for use in finished dose pharmaceutical products which are marketed in more than 50 countries. It is the dominant worldwide supplier of Bacitracin, Bacitracin Zinc, Polymyxin, Tyrothricin and Gramicidin, and a major supplier of Colistin and injectable grade Amphotericin B.

With newly expanded production capacity, it expects to become a significant supplier of Vancomycin. From its production bases in Norway and Denmark, FCD markets its products throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America and today, the U.S. market represents nearly 50% of its revenues. An important element of Alpharma's growth strategy is to develop and/or acquire technically difficult manufacturing processes for high value antibiotics.

During 1997, FCD received U.S. FDA approval for its new vancomycin hydrochloride processing facility in Copenhagen, Denmark which expands entry to the U.S. market for this important antibiotic. During 1997, FCD acquired the Polymyxin business from Cultor Food Science, Inc., which will provide a significant opportunity for revenue expansion.