EANS-News: W.O.M. World of Medicine AG / H1/2009: Return on sales within the 2009 target corridor

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Berlin (euro adhoc) - The return on sales before taxes of medical device
manufacturer W.O.M. WORLD OF MEDICINE AG equaled 5.6% in the first half-year of
2009, and thus reached the target corridor for 2009 (6%), which the Management
Board revised in May. Sales reflect a decline in the first six months of 2009
by 13.7% to TEUR17,367. The first half-year of 2008 was hallmarked by its above-
average sales pace following placement of major orders, specifically in the
camera division.

"The second quarter progressed with anticipated restraint," says CEO Peter P.
Wiest. "However, in view of the strategic direction set for the next few years,
these figures merely represent a snapshot of the difficult year 2009. We are
investing in new sales regions such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East and
South America, in order to generate a counterbalance to today's weakened US
market. And an important component: Our presentation at the 'Hospitalar' trade
show in June in Brazil. As a result, in the first half-year 2009, sales in the
Rest of World segment rose once again: by 21.6% to TEUR2,113. In addition, we
are
stepping up our investments in research and development."

The transition to the new generation of Medical-HD® cameras, which have been
batch shipped to specialized retailers since June, is currently underway. In
addition, in the 2nd half-year a new multifunction pump will be brought to the
market, and contracts with OEM customers for new pump systems were executed,
which are expected to come to market within the next 12 months. "We are
therefore focusing on our strategic orientation for the next few years, in
order to expand the Company's market position and secure our employee positions
over the medium- and long-term," says Peter P. Wiest.

According to Wiest, the current year still leaves many issues unanswered. "We
anticipate that - given a cyclical time-delay with the USA - the crisis will be
much more palpable in Europe in the second half-year of 2009. For this reason,
we anticipate a similarly weak 3rd quarter 2009. There are indications of a
recovery in the US market in the 4th quarter. Nevertheless, a current outlook
from July based on the H1 figures shows uncertainties for reaching the sales
and earnings goals set in May if the shift in trends will be postponed to the
1st half-year 2010."

The complete 2009 Half-Year Financial Report is available at:
www.world-of-medicine.com/wsc/pdf/wom/en/qr_halfyearreport_2009_wom.pdf

WORLD OF MEDICINE and its technologies are paving the way in Minimally Invasive
Surgery - or MIS for short. This approach includes safe and gentle surgical
procedures conducted not through major incisions, but through keyhole or
puncture incisions. The Company is the global market leader in a niche of this
future market.

Further inquiry note:
Stefanie Gehrke
Cell Phone: + 49 (0) 172 402 67 40
E-Mail: [email protected]

end of announcement euro adhoc
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emitter: W.O.M. World of Medicine AG
Salzufer 8
D-10587 Berlin
phone: +49 (0)30 399 81-500
FAX: +49 (0)30 399 81-551
mail: [email protected]
WWW: http://www.world-of-medicine.com
sector: Pharmaceuticals
ISIN: DE0006637390
indexes: CDAX, Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
stockmarkets: regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, free trade: Berlin,
Hamburg, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, München
language: English

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