UPPSALA, Sweden, Feb. 10, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Q-Med (Stockholm:QMED):
-- Sales increased during the year by 36 percent to SEK 517.8 (380.2) million. During the fourth quarter turnover increased by 21 percent and amounted to SEK 148.3 (122.7) million. -- The corporate surplus value attributable to the intangible assets in Ixion Biotechnology, Inc. was written down by SEK 37.0 million. -- Operating income excluding items affecting income attributable to Ixion amounted to SEK 71.6 (55.2) million for 2002 and the operating margin was 14 (15) percent. During the fourth quarter the corresponding operating income amounted to SEK 26.8 (19.5) million. Operating income including Ixion amounted to SEK 9.5 (23.7) million for 2002. -- The Q-Med Group divests the North American business regarding the esthetic products RESTYLANE, RESTYLANE Fine Lines and PERLANE for USD 160 million. Queries should be addressed to: Bengt Agerup, President and CEO +46 18-474 90 00 or +46 70-974 90 25 Johan Hahnel, Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications +46 70-231 08 07 This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/02/10/20030210BIT00540/wkr0001.doc The full report www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/02/10/20030210BIT00540/wkr0002.pdf The full report