+++++++++++++++++++++++++ Pharmaceutical company Chemeq Ltd (ASX:CMQ) today announced that it has raised $25 million to fund upgrades and expansion of its manufacturing facilities.
The $25 million was raised by a placement, through Bell Potter Securities Limited, of new ordinary shares at $5.35 to institutions and sophisticated investors.
The funds will be partly used for previously announced upgrades and expansion of Chemeq's 20 tonne per annum manufacturing plant, currently under construction, as follows:
1. Expansion and upgrade, so that production will continue, uninterrupted during periods of maintenance and cleaning;
2. Expanded warehousing and formulation areas of the manufacturing facilities, to accommodate future productive capacities of 750 tonnes per annum;
3. Upgrade from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards for veterinary pharmaceuticals to potential manufacture of human pharmaceuticals.
The funds will also be used to expedite the construction of an additional 200 tonne per annum plant as soon as possible, following the completion of the 20 tonne per annum plant within the facilities, due for commencement of commissioning in October 2003.
These manufacturing facilities will produce Chemeq's unique veterinary drug, CHEMEQ RTM polymeric antimicrobial, which supersedes the use of antibiotics in animals for growth purposes.
Chemeq has already received pre-orders for its drug (at $1 million per tonne); potential global market is estimated to be worth $10 billion annually.
For more information:
Andrew Dwyer Jane Cotter COMPANY SECRETARY & CORPORATE FINANCIAL MANAGER COTTER COMMUNICATIONS Chemeq Ltd (03) 9650 1955 (08) 9355 0099
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