Aspen business in licensing deal with GSK

In terms of the agreements Aspen will license intellectual property and supply finished dosage form pharmaceuticals to GSK through Aspen Group companies including Onco Therapies Limited (“OTL”), Aspen's 50% owned joint venture with Strides Arcolab Limited (“Strides”) of India.

The licensing and supply agreements are for emerging market territories excluding Sub-saharan Africa and India. Aspen and OTL will recover intellectual property development costs from GSK in addition to sharing profits with GSK from the commercialization of the products.

Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chef Executive said “We see this as a great opportunity to extend the worldwide reach of the Aspen business benefiting from GSK's excellent strength in branding and marketing. GSK will achieve effective distribution for products in many countries which Aspen is presently unable to reach. This deal further endorses the quality of Aspen's development of intellectual property and its manufacturing capabilities. The inclusion of the OTL joint venture adds an additional dimension to the products we have been able to offer to GSK and I would like to commend the significant contribution from Strides in this regard.”

The first of the products commercialised under this arrangement is expected to be launched in 2010.

Stephen Saad, Aspen Holdings Group Chief Executive
Tel: +27-31- 580-8602
Cell: +27-83-303-4833

Gus Attridge, Aspen Holdings Deputy Group Chief Executive
Tel: +27-31- 580-8604
Cell: +27-83-628-8813