PRESS RELEASE
from SARTORIUS STED BIO (EPA:DIM)
Sartorius Stedim Biotech delivers strong operational growth and robust profitability
Sartorius Stedim Biotech SA / Key word(s): 9 Month figures Aubagne, France | October 22, 2026 Sartorius Stedim Biotech delivers strong operational growth and robust profitability
Sartorius Stedim Biotech, a leading provider of innovative technologies for the manufacture of biologics, sustained its positive business trajectory in the first nine months of 2026 and delivered robust growth in sales revenue and profitability. The period was also marked by a significant improvement in cash flow generation and a further reduction in leverage. “Our operational and financial performance throughout the first nine months of 2026 remained strong, with robust growth in sales revenue and profitability,” said Dr. René Fáber, CEO of Sartorius Stedim Biotech. “Our recurring business with consumables continued to be the backbone of our business, while we saw further encouraging progress in bioprocessing equipment. This positive development across all regions, underpinned by healthy market fundamentals, leaves us well positioned for the remainder of the year and clearly reinforces our confidence in our full-year guidance for 2026.” Business development1 During the first nine months of the fiscal year, Sartorius Stedim Biotech generated sales revenue of 2,289 million euros, with operational sales revenue growing by 7.8 percent in constant currencies compared with the prior-year period. The recurring business with consumables remained the main driver of this development. In addition, business with bioprocess equipment grew compared to the prior-year period. The business results reported for the first nine months of the year were influenced by a non-operational effect: In the third quarter, the company received further tariff refunds for levies invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court. As Sartorius Stedim Biotech compensates customers for corresponding tariff surcharges previously paid, the related amounts are recognized as reductions in cost of sales and sales revenue. Including the impact from tariff compensation to customers, which amounts to 28 million euros after the first nine months of 2026, sales revenue grew by 6.5 percent in constant currencies (reported: 4.3 percent). All regions contributed to the positive business performance: The EMEA2 region recorded a 6.5 percent gain in constant currencies compared with the prior-year period, achieving 982 million euros in sales revenue. The Americas region, which continued to be impacted by tariff compensation to customers, generated sales revenue of 783 million euros. Excluding the tariff compensation effect, growth amounted to 7.6 percent in constant currencies; including this effect, the increase was 3.9 percent in constant currencies. The Asia/Pacific region grew significantly by 10.6 percent in constant currencies to 524 million euros, with China contributing positively to regional performance. The Group’s underlying EBITDA rose by 4.8 percent to 716 million euros in the first nine months of 2026, with the corresponding margin increasing by 0.2 percentage points to 31.3 percent (PY: 31.1 percent). Positive volume effects and economies of scale more than offset product mix effects. On a net basis, tariff surcharges and the related customer compensation offset each other, with no impact on profitability. Net profit amounted to 277 million euros (PY: 218 million euros), an increase of 26.7 percent. Underlying net profit increased by 9.4 percent to 350 million euros (PY: 320 million euros). Underlying earnings per share rose to 3.59 euros (PY: 3.28 euros), and earnings per share to 2.84 euros (PY: 2.24 euros). The number of employees at Sartorius Stedim Biotech grew in all regions in the first nine months of the year, primarily due to the hiring of additional production personnel. As of September 30, 2026, the company employed 10,483 people (December 31, 2025: 10,265). Sartorius Stedim Biotech introduced several new products designed to meet key customer needs in bioprocessing and advanced therapies. A single-use bioreactor bag with an improved sparger for better oxygen transfer enables more efficient process intensification in upstream, thereby facilitating adoption of single-use processes in commercial production by helping customers produce higher output from smaller bioreactor volumes. In advanced therapies, the company added ready-to-use cytokines in closed sterile bags and a new animal‑component-free cell culture medium to the portfolio. Key financial indicators Sartorius Stedim Biotech’s balance sheet and key financial indicators improved further from already very robust levels. As of September 30, 2026, equity amounted to 4,390 million euros, corresponding to an increased equity ratio1 of 54.6 percent (December 31, 2025: 4,126 million euros and 51.7 percent, respectively). Cash flow from operating activities increased by 11.6 percent to 498 million euros in the first nine months of the current fiscal year (PY: 446 million euros). Key drivers were the positive earnings development and tariff refunds received. Investments in the company’s global research and production infrastructure totaled 232 million euros in the first nine months of 2026 (PY: 276 million euros). The ratio of capital expenditure to sales revenue stood at 10.1 percent (PY: 12.6 percent). Based on the positive trend in operating cash flow and the lower investment volume, free cash flow increased disproportionately by 58.5 percent to 264 million euros (PY: 167 million euros). Gross debt was 2,310 million euros, while net debt amounted to 2,138 million euros. As planned, the company continued to reduce its ratio of net debt to underlying EBITDA1, which reached 2.26 as of September 30, 2026 (December 31, 2025: 2.38). Guidance for fiscal year 2026 confirmed and partially refined Based on the business performance in the first nine months of 2026 and the continued positive development of the relevant end markets, management confirms its sales and profitability guidance for the full year and refines the expected ratio of capital expenditure to sales revenue. Sartorius Stedim Biotech continues to expect sales revenue growth in constant currencies of around 6 to 10 percent. Operational growth excluding tariff-related effects is expected to be around the midpoint of the range, while growth including the intended customer compensation for unlawfully imposed U.S. tariffs is expected to be in the lower half. Customer compensation could reduce sales revenue by up to 35 million euros compared with initial assumptions. With regard to profitability, management continues to project the underlying EBITDA margin to increase to slightly above 31 percent. The ratio of capital expenditure to sales revenue is now expected to be around 13 percent and thus slightly below the previously expected prior-year level of 13.3 percent. The ratio of net debt to underlying EBITDA should decrease to slightly above 2 (PY: 2.38). Forecasts have been prepared based on historical information and are consistent with accounting policies. All forecast figures are based on constant currencies, as in past years. Management points out that the dynamics and volatility in the industry have increased significantly in recent years. In addition, uncertainties arising from the changed geopolitical situation, such as emerging decoupling tendencies among various countries as well as changes in trade policy frameworks, are playing a greater role. This results in greater uncertainty when forecasting business figures. 1 Sartorius Stedim Biotech publishes alternative performance measures that are not defined by international accounting standards. These are determined with the aim of improving comparability of business performance over time and within the industry.
This media release contains forward-looking statements about the future development of the Sartorius Stedim Biotech Group. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Sartorius Stedim Biotech assumes no liability for updating such statements in light of new information or future events. Sartorius Stedim Biotech shall not assume any liability for the correctness of this release. The original French press release is the legally binding version. Conference call for investors Dr. René Fáber, CEO of the Sartorius Stedim Biotech Group, will discuss the company’s nine-month results in a conference call for investors on October 22, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. CEST. Register here: https://sar.to/9M_2026_IR_Call Financial calendar February 23, 2027 – Full-year figures 2026 and 2026 Annual Report April 13, 2027 – Annual Shareholders' Meeting April 22, 2027 – Q1 quarterly statement January to March 2027 July 22, 2027 – Half-year report for January to June 2027 October 21, 2027 – 9M quarterly statement January to September 2027 Unaudited Key Figures for the First Nine Months and Third Quarter of 2026
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