Healthy organic sales growth and ongoing margin pressure
Fresenius Medical Care’s business development impacted by delayed effects from improvements in North American Services business in challenging environment
Fresenius Kabi with healthy sales growth and sequential improvement
Fresenius Helios with strong organic sales growth, solid EBIT in line with usual third quarter seasonality
Fresenius Vamed impacted by macroeconomic headwinds and COVID-19
If no timeframe is specified, information refers to Q3/2022.
1 Before special items, Q1/22 restated following remeasurement Humacyte investment 2 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA 3 Excluding Ivenix and mAbxience acquisitions For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Michael Sen, CEO of Fresenius said, “Over the past month, I’ve met with many of my Fresenius colleagues. Like me, they have tremendous passion and commitment to patients, physicians and health care professionals. What we do is life-saving.”
Sen continued, “Everyone at Fresenius knows we must improve on what we do. My priorities are clear: Reset the company aiming at becoming a stronger company and delivering value for our shareholders. Our businesses are growing yet in a more challenging environment. Now we sharpen our focus on structural productivity. More fundamentally, we have embarked on a top-to-bottom review of every business activity, looking at the entire corporate portfolio. The focus is on returns. This will not happen overnight, but we will move at a faster pace and more decisively than ever before. This will benefit all our stakeholders. This is #FutureFresenius.”
Sen concluded, “Fresenius is a strong company, with great products, great market positions. Now we have to make it stronger.”
FY/22 Group guidance
Since Fresenius Medical Care continues to operate in a challenging environment, the impacts of the Company’s focused efforts to improve North American Health Care Services operations are delayed against previous assumptions. Therefore, Fresenius Medical Care now assumes lower contributions in the financial year 2022.
Consequently, Fresenius Medical Care now expects net income (attributable to shareholders of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA) for the financial year 2022 to decline in the high teens to mid-twenties percentage range. The Company continues to anticipate revenue to grow at a low-single digit percentage range in the financial year 2022. These targets are in constant currency and exclude special items.
All other business segments of the Fresenius Group, in particular Vamed, are also affected by a challenging overall economic environment. Thus, there are increased uncertainties, inflation-related cost increases, staff shortages, disruptions in supply chains, and increased energy costs. This has a direct impact on customer and patient behavior.
However, as a consequence of the development at Fresenius Medical Care, Fresenius Vamed, and in view of increasing indications of a persistent unfavorable development of these and other factors for the further course of the financial year, the Management Board has changed its risk assessment and consequently also adjusted the Group outlook for FY/22.
At constant currency, the Company now anticipates Group net income1,2 to decline around ten percent (previously: decline in a low-to-mid single-digit percentage range). Group sales3 in constant currency continue to be expected to grow in a low-to-mid single-digit percentage range.
Without the closed acquisition of Ivenix and the completed acquisition of a majority stake in mAbxience as well as any further potential acquisitions, Fresenius expects the net debt/EBITDA4 ratio to be roughly on the same level as in Q3/22 (3.64x5) by the end of 2022 (December 31, 2021: 3.51x5).
1 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA 2 FY/21 base: €1,867 million, before special items; FY/22: before special items 3 FY/21 base: €37,520 million 4 At LTM average exchange rates for both net debt and EBITDA; pro forma closed acquisitions/divestitures;excluding further potential acquisitions; before special items; including lease liabilities 5 At LTM average exchange rates for both net debt and EBITDA; pro forma closed acquisitions/divestitures;
before special items; including lease liabilities
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Assumptions for guidance FY/22
For 2022 and beyond, Fresenius expects that the current challenging market environment and the global macro-economic headwinds will remain. In particular, the general cost inflation, labor shortages, meaningful uncertainty with regard to the future development of energy prices, burdens from supply chain disruptions and ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to continue. The guidance does not consider a significant disruption of gas or electricity supplies in Europe.
Fresenius will continue to closely monitor the potential further consequences of the overall heightened volatility and muted visibility, including balance sheet valuations.
The war in Ukraine is directly and indirectly affecting Fresenius Group operations. The direct adverse effects of the war amounted to €24 million at net income1 level of Fresenius Group in Q1-3/22 and are treated as a special item.
An unlikely but possible significant deterioration of the situation triggering containment measures that could have a significant and direct impact on the health care sector without any appropriate compensation is not reflected in the Group’s FY/22 guidance.
For Fresenius Medical Care‘s contribution to the Group’s financial figures, the assumptions for Fresenius Medical Care's FY/22 guidance are also fully applicable to Fresenius Group's FY/22 guidance.
All of these assumptions are subject to considerable uncertainty.
The acquisitions of Ivenix and of the majority stake in mAbxience as well as any further potential acquisitions remain excluded from guidance.
1 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
5% sales increase in constant currency
Group sales increased by 12% (5% in constant currency) to €10,459 million (Q3/21: €9,324 million). Organic growth was 4%. Acquisitions/divestitures contributed net 1% to growth. Currency translation increased sales growth by 7%. Excluding estimated COVID-19 effects1, Group sales growth would have been 4% to 5% in constant currency (Q3/21: 7% to 8%).
In Q1-3/22, Group sales increased by 10% (4% in constant currency) to €30,197 million (Q1-3/21: €27,554 million). Organic growth was 3%. Acquisitions/divestitures contributed net 1% to growth. Currency translation increased sales growth by 6%. Excluding estimated COVID-19 effects1, Group sales growth would have been 3% to 4% in constant currency (Q1-3/21: 5% to 6%).
19% net income2,3,4 decline in constant currency
Group EBITDA before special items decreased by 2% (-10% in constant currency) to €1,662 million (Q3/212: €1,703 million). Reported Group EBITDA was €1,658 million (Q3/21: €1,667 million).
In Q1-3/22, Group EBITDA before special items remained nearly unchanged (-6% in constant currency) at €5,006 million (Q1-3/212: €5,008 million). Reported Group EBITDA was €4,781 million (Q1-3/21: €4,957 million).
Group EBIT before special items decreased by 9% (-17% in constant currency) to €949 million (Q3/212: €1,044 million). The decrease was mainly driven by higher labor costs at Fresenius Medical Care in the U.S., general cost inflation, revaluation of contract assets in the international service and project business at Fresenius Vamed as well as higher costs in the Corporate segment. The EBIT margin before special items was 9.1% (Q3/212: 11.2%). Reported Group EBIT was €887 million (Q3/21: €1,008 million).
In Q1-3/22, Group EBIT before special items decreased by 4% (-10% in constant currency) to €2,952 million (Q1-3/212: €3,086 million). The EBIT margin before special items was 9.8% (Q1-3/212: 11.2%). Reported Group EBIT was €2,634 million (Q1-3/21: €3,035 million).
1 For estimated COVID-19 effects please see table on page 20. 2 Before special items 3 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA 4 Excluding Ivenix and mAbxience acquisitions
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Group net interest before special items was -€141 million (Q3/211: -€126 million) mainly due to currency translation effects and overall higher interest rates. Reported Group net interest decreased to -€141 million (Q3/21: -€126 million).
In Q1-3/22, Group net interest before special items improved to -€376 million (Q1-3/211: -€384 million). Reported Group net interest improved to -€375 million (Q1-3/21: -€384 million).
Group tax rate before special items was 25.0% (Q3/211: 22.9%) mainly due to an increase in the proportionate share of non-tax-deductible expenses compared to taxable income at Fresenius Medical Care. Reported Group tax rate was 26.1% (Q3/21: 22.8%). In Q1-3/22, Group tax rate before special items was 23.5% (Q1-3/211: 22.4%) while the reported Group tax rate was 24.1% (Q1-3/21: 22.3%).
Noncontrolling interests before special items were -€235 million (Q3/211: -€273 million) of which 90% were attributable to the noncontrolling interests in Fresenius Medical Care. Reported noncontrolling interests were -€230 million (Q3/21: -€268 million).
In Q1-3/22, Noncontrolling interests before special items were -€686 million (Q1-3/211: -€751 million) of which 89% were attributable to the noncontrolling interests in Fresenius Medical Care. Reported noncontrolling interests were -€597 million (Q1-3/21: -€741 million).
Group net income2 before special items decreased by 15% (-22%/-19%3 in constant currency) to €371 million (Q3/211: €435 million). The decrease was mainly driven by higher labor costs at Fresenius Medical Care in the U.S., general cost inflation, revaluation of contract assets in the international service and project business at Fresenius Vamed as well as higher costs in the Corporate/Other segment. Moreover, increased interest expenses and a higher tax rate had a negative effect on Group net income. Excluding estimated COVID-19 effects4, Group net income2 before special items was -26% to -22% in constant currency (Q3/21: 12% to 16%). Reported Group net income2 decreased to €321 million (Q3/21: €413 million).
In Q1-3/22, Group net income2 before special items decreased by 5% (-10%/-8%3 in constant currency) to €1,284 million (Q1-3/211: €1,346 million). Excluding estimated COVID-19 effects4, Group net income2 before special items was -15% to -11% in constant currency (Q1-3/21: 7% to 11%). Reported Group net income2 decreased to €1,117 million (Q1-3/21: €1,319 million).
1 Before special items 2 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA 3 Excluding Ivenix and mAbxience acquisitions 4 For estimated COVID-19 effects please see table on page 20
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Earnings per share1 before special items decreased by 15% (-22% in constant currency) to €0.66 (Q3/212: €0.78). Reported earnings per share1 were €0.57 (Q3/21: €0.74).
In Q1-3/22, earnings per share1 before special items decreased by 5% (-10% in constant currency) to €2.29 (Q1-3/212: €2.41). Reported earnings per share1 were €1.99 (Q1-3/21: €2.36).
Continued investment in growth
Spending on property, plant and equipment was €416 million corresponding to 4% of sales (Q3/21: €449 million; 5% of sales). These investments served primarily for the modernization and expansion of dialysis clinics, production facilities as well as hospitals and day clinics. In Q1-3/22, spending on property, plant and equipment was €1,173 million corresponding to 4% of sales (Q1-3/21: €1,342 million; 5% of sales).
Total acquisition spending was €502 million (Q3/21: €167 million), mainly for the majority stake in mAbxience by Fresenius Kabi. In Q1-3/22, total acquisition spending was €955 million (Q1-3/21: €807 million).
Cash flow development
Group operating cash flow increased to €1,256 million (Q3/21: €1,226 million) with a margin of 12.0% (Q3/21: 13.1%). Free cash flow before acquisitions and dividends increased to €876 million (Q3/21: €793 million). Free cash flow after acquisitions and dividends decreased to €388 million (Q3/21: €594 million).
In Q1-3/22, Group operating cash flow decreased to €2,374 million (Q1-3/21: €3,329 million) with a margin of 7.9% (Q1-3/21: 12.1%). Free cash flow before acquisitions and dividends decreased to €1,202 million (Q1-3/21: €1,986 million). Free cash flow after acquisitions and dividends decreased to -€406 million (Q1-3/21: €352 million).
Solid balance sheet structure
Group total assets increased by 12% (4% in constant currency) to €80,328 million (Dec. 31, 2021: €71,962 million) given currency translation effects, acquisitions and the expansion of business activities. Current assets increased by 11% (6% in constant currency) to €19,443 million (Dec. 31, 2021: €17,461 million), mainly driven by the increase of trade accounts receivables and inventories. Non-current assets increased by 12% (4% in constant currency) to €60,885 million (Dec. 31, 2021: €54,501 million).
Total shareholders’ equity increased by 17% (6% in constant currency) to €34,156 million (Dec. 31, 2021: €29,288 million). The equity ratio was 42.5% (Dec. 31, 2021: 40.7%).
Group debt increased by 5% (1% in constant currency) at €28,607 million (Dec. 31, 2021: € 27,155 million). Group net debt increased by 9% (4% in constant currency) to € 26,479 million (Dec. 31, 2021: € 24,391 million).
As of September 30, 2022, the net debt/EBITDA ratio was 3.74x1,2 (Dec. 31, 2021: 3.51x1,2) mainly driven by lower EBITDA contribution as well as acquisition spending. The net debt/EBITDA as of September 30, 2022 excluding the closed acquisition of Ivenix and the completed acquisition of a majority stake in mAbxience was 3.641,2.
1 At LTM average exchange rates for both net debt and EBITDA; pro forma closed acquisitions/divestitures 2 Before special items
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Business Segments
Fresenius Medical Care
(Financial data according to Fresenius Medical Care press release)
Fresenius Medical Care is the world's largest provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases. As of September 30, 2022, Fresenius Medical Care was treating 344,593 patients in 4,153 dialysis clinics. Along with its core business, the Renal Care Continuum, the company focuses on expanding in complementary areas and in the field of critical care.
Business development continues to be strongly impacted by uncertain inflationary macroeconomic environment
Impacts of improvements in North American Health Care Services operations delayed
COVID-19-related excess mortality in line with expectations
Important step in value-based care achieved with closing of InterWell Health merger
Sales increased by 15% (3% in constant currency) to €5,096 million (Q3/21: €4,441 million). Organic growth was 2%. Currency translation increased sales growth by 12%. In Q1-3/22, sales increased by 11% (2% in constant currency) to €14,401 million (Q1-3/21: €12,972 million). Organic growth was 1%. Currency translation increased sales growth by 9%.
EBIT decreased by 7% (-17% in constant currency) to €472 million (Q3/21: €505 million) resulting in a margin of 9.3% (Q3/21: 11.4%). EBIT before special items decreased by 8% (-18% in constant currency) to €470 million (Q3/21: €513 million), resulting in a margin1 of 9.2% (Q3/21: 11.6%). At constant currency, the decline was mainly due to higher labor costs as well as inflationary and supply chain cost increases. This was partially offset by €80 million (Q3 2021: €0.3 million) of Provider Relief Funding from the U.S. government to compensate for certain COVID-19-related costs. In Q1-3/22, EBIT decreased by 17% (-24% in constant currency) to €1,160 million (Q1-3/21: €1,403 million) resulting in a margin of 8.1% (Q1-3/21: 10.8%). EBIT before special items decreased by 7% (-14% in constant currency) to €1,322 million (Q1-3/21: €1,423 million), resulting in a margin1 of 9.2% (Q1-3/21: 11.0%).
Net income2 decreased by 16% (-24% in constant currency) to €230 million (Q3/21: €273 million). Net income2 before special items decreased by 17% (-25% in constant currency) to €231 million (Q3/21: €280 million). Besides the above-mentioned effects on operating income, the constant currency decline was mainly due to an increase in the proportionate share of non-tax-deductible expenses compared to taxable income.
In Q1-3/22, net income2 decreased by 28% (-34% in constant currency) to €535 million (Q1-3/21: €741 million). Net income2 before special items decreased by 13% (-18% in constant currency) to €660 million (Q1-3/21: €756 million).
Operating cash flow was €658 million (Q3/21: €692million) with a margin of 12.9% (Q3/21: 15.6%). The decrease was mainly due to lower net income. In Q1-3/22, operating cash flow was €1,568 million (Q1-3/21: €1,820 million) with a margin of 10.9% (Q1-3/21: 14.0%).
Based on the delayed impacts of improvements in North American Health Care Services operations, the continuously challenging and uncertain macroeconomic environment, and the results for the third quarter, which had a more pronounced support by one-time effects, Fresenius Medical Care, as a matter of caution, extends its 2022 guidance range for net income2,3 decline from a high-teens to a high-teens to mid-twenties percentage range. The Company confirms its target for revenue4 to grow at a low single digit percentage rate in full year 2022. Revenue and net income guidance are both on a constant currency basis and excluding special items5.
1 Before special items 2 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA 3 FY/21 base: €1,018 million, before special items; FY/22 before special items 4 FY/21 base: €17,619 million 5 These targets are based on the 2021 results excluding the costs related to FME25 of EUR 49 million (for Net Income). They are in constant currency and exclude special items. Special items include further costs related to FME25, the impact of the war in Ukraine, the impact of hyperinflation in Turkiye, the Humacyte investment remeasurement, the net gain related to InterWell Health and other effects that are unusual in nature and have not been foreseeable or not foreseeable in size or impact at the time of giving guidance.
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
InterWell Health merger closed
With the closing of the three-way merger of Fresenius Health Partners, InterWell Health and Cricket Health, a premier value-based kidney care provider has been created in the U.S. This is an important step in the execution of Fresenius Medical Care’s strategy. The new company operates under the InterWell Health brand and will be fully consolidated by Fresenius Medical Care as the majority owner. The closing of the merger resulted in a net gain of €56 million (on EBIT level) in the third quarter, which is treated as a special item.
Fresenius Kabi
Fresenius Kabi offers intravenously administered generic drugs, clinical nutrition and infusion therapies for seriously and chronically ill patients in the hospital and outpatient environments. The company is also a leading supplier of medical devices and transfusion technology products. In the biosimilars business, Fresenius Kabi develops products with a focus on oncology and autoimmune diseases.
1 Before special items 2 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA 3 Excluding Ivenix and mAbxience acquisitions
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Solid organic sales growth in all three growth vectors against already strong Q3/21
Biopharmaceuticals continue strong trajectory in line with ambitious plan
Growth in Europe and rest of the world outweighing pressures in North America
Sequentially constant EBIT margin3 despite headwinds from cost increases
Sales increased by 12% (4% in constant currency) to €2,071 million (Q3/21: €1,854 million). Organic growth was 3%. In Q1-3/22, sales increased by 8% (2% in constant currency) to €5,814 million (Q1-3/21: €5,370 million). Organic growth was 2%. Positive currency translation effects of 8% in Q3/22 and 6% in Q1-3/22 were mainly related to the U.S. dollar and Chinese yuan.
Sales in North America increased by 13% (organic growth: -2%) to €668 million (Q3/21: €589 million). The significant sales growth was mainly driven by positive currency effects while organic growth continued to be impacted by ongoing competitive pressure and supply chain challenges. In Q1-3/22, sales in North America increased by 11% (organic growth: -1%) to €1,853 million (Q1-3/21: €1,669 million).
Sales in Europe increased by 8% (organic growth: 6%) to €669 million (Q3/21: €620 million) driven by a broad-based positive development, and biopharmaceuticals. In Q1-3/22, sales in Europe increased by 5% (organic growth: 4%) to €1,967 million (Q1-3/21: €1,880 million).
Sales in Asia-Pacific increased by 4% (organic growth: -4%) to €467 million (Q3/21: €447 million). Organic growth was affected by price pressure from the NVBP (National Volume-Based Procurement) tenders in China. In Q1-3/22, sales in Asia-Pacific increased by 6% (organic growth: -2%) to €1,325 million (Q1-3/21: €1,248 million).
Sales in Latin America/Africa increased by 35% (organic growth: 27%) to €267 million (Q3/21: €198 million), due to a positive business development in both regions. In Q1-3/22, sales in Latin America/Africa increased by 17% (organic growth: 11%) to €669 million (Q1-3/21: €573 million).
Sales in the Biopharmaceuticals business was €64 million. In Q1-3/22, sales in the Biopharmaceuticals business was €116 million.
EBIT1 decreased by 7% (-18%/-11% in constant currency) to €280 million (Q3/21: €300 million), mainly related to ongoing cost inflation, supply chain challenges as well as competitive pressure. EBIT margin1 was 13.5% (Q3/21: 16.2%). Excluding the acquisitions of Ivenix and the majority stake in mAbxience, the constant currency EBIT margin1 was sequentially stable at 14.6%2 in Q3/22 (Q2/22: 14.7%2) despite the mentioned headwinds. In Q1-3/22, EBIT1 decreased by 3% (-12%/-9%2 in constant currency) to €844 million (Q1-3/21: €874 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 14.5%/15.0%2 (Q1-3/21: 16.3%).
Net income1,3 decreased by 11% (-21% in constant currency) to €184 million (Q3/21: €206 million). In Q1-3/22, net income1,3 decreased by 4% (-13% in constant currency) to €574 million (Q1-3/21: €600 million).
1 Before special items 2 Excluding Ivenix and mAbxience acquisitions 3 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Operating cash flow decreased to €301 million (Q3/21: €393 million) with a margin of 14.5% (Q3/21: 21.2%), mainly driven by a working capital build-up from e.g. higher inventories. In Q1-3/22, operating cash flow decreased to €543 million (Q1-3/21: €868 million) with a margin of 9.3% (Q1-3/21: 16.2%).
For FY/22, Fresenius Kabi confirms its outlook and expects organic sales1 growth in a low-single-digit percentage range. Constant currency EBIT2 is expected to decline in a high-single- to low-double-digit percentage range. Both sales and EBIT outlook include expected COVID-19 effects. The financial effects from the acquisitions of Ivenix and the majority stake in mAbxience remain excluded from guidance.
1 FY/21 base: €7,193 million 2 FY/21 base: €1,153 million, before special items, FY/22 before special items,
excluding Ivenix and mAbxience acquisitions
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Fresenius Helios
Fresenius Helios is Europe's leading private hospital operator. The company comprises Helios Germany, Helios Spain and Helios Fertility. Helios Germany operates 87 hospitals, ~130 outpatient centers and 6 prevention centers. Helios Spain operates 50 hospitals, 101 outpatient centers and around 300 occupational risk prevention centers. In addition, the company is active in Latin America with 8 hospitals and as a provider of medical diagnostics. Helios Fertility offers a wide spectrum of state-of-the-art services in the field of fertility treatments.
Fresenius Helios with strong organic sales growth; solid EBIT development in line with usual third quarter seasonality
Helios Germany with gradually improving admissions
Helios Spain with ongoing healthy activity levels
Helios Fertility with lower volumes driven by delayed treatments
Sales increased by 8% (7% in constant currency) to €2,829 million (Q3/21: €2,622 million). Organic growth was 6%. Acquisitions, mainly at Helios Fertility, contributed 2% to sales growth. Divestments reduced sales by 1%. In Q1-3/22, sales increased by 8% (8% in constant currency) to €8,685 million (Q1-3/21: €8,009 million). Organic growth was 6%. Acquisitions contributed 2% to sales growth.
Sales of Helios Germany increased by 6% (organic growth: 5%) to €1,731 million (Q3/21: €1,640 million), mainly driven by gradually increasing admissions, which are however still below pre-pandemic levels. Acquisitions contributed 1% to sales growth. In Q1-3/22, sales of Helios Germany increased by 6% (organic growth: 5%) to €5,272 million (Q1-3/21: €4,988 million). Acquisitions contributed 1% to sales growth.
Sales of Helios Spain increased by 10% (9% in constant currency) to €1,037 million (Q3/21: €941 million). Organic growth of 8% was driven by the continuous high level of treatment activity. The clinics in Latin America also showed a good performance. Acquisitions contributed 1% to sales growth. In Q1-3/22, sales of Helios Spain increased by 10% (9% in constant currency) to €3,227 million (Q1-3/21: €2,937 million). Organic growth was 9%.
Sales of the Helios Fertility were €62 million (Q3/21: €40 million). In Q1-3/22, sales of the Helios Fertility were €184 million.
EBIT1 remained stable (-1% in constant currency) at €222 million (Q3/21: €222 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 7.8% (Q3/21: 8.5%). In Q1-3/22, EBIT1 increased by 5% (5% in constant currency) to €831 million (Q1-3/21: 788 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 9.6% (Q1-3/21: 9.8%).
EBIT1 of Helios Germany increased by 1% to €141 million (Q3/21: €140 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 8.1% (Q3/21: 8.5%). The increase of costs from the use of external staff due to COVID-19 related staff absenteeism continued to weigh on profitability. Inflationary cost effects had only a small negative impact. In Q1-3/22, EBIT1 of Helios Germany increased by 2% to €449 million (Q1-3/21: €442 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 8.5% (Q1-3/21: 8.9%).
EBIT1 of Helios Spain increased by 5% (3% in constant currency) to €83 million (Q3/21: €79 million) despite increased cost inflation. The EBIT margin1 was 8.0% (Q3/21: 8.4%). In Q1-3/22, EBIT1 of Helios Spain increased by 9% (9% in constant currency) to €384 million (Q1-3/21: €352 million). The EBIT margin1 was 11.9% (Q1-3/21: 12.0%).
EBIT1 of Helios Fertility was €4 million with an EBIT margin1 of 6.5% (Q3/21: €9 million). Lower volumes by delayed treatments driven by macroeconomic environment. Prior year quarter was inflated by a positive special item. In Q1-3/22, EBIT1 of Helios Fertility was €15 million (Q1-3/21: €14 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 8.2%.
Net income1,2 increased by 2% (1% in constant currency) to €138 million (Q3/21: €135 million). In Q1-3/22, net income1,2 increased by 6% (5% in constant currency) to €530 million (Q1-3/21: €501 million).
Operating cash flow increased to €353 million (Q3/21: €157 million) with a margin of 12.5% (Q3/21: 6.0%) mainly due to an improved receivables management in Spain. In Q1-3/22, operating cash flow decreased to €411 million (Q1-3/21: €595 million) with a margin of 4.7% (Q1-3/21: 7.4%)
For FY/22, Fresenius Helios confirms its outlook and expects organic sales3 growth in a low- to mid-single-digit percentage range and constant currency EBIT4 growth in a mid-single-digit percentage range. Both sales and EBIT outlook include expected COVID-19 effects.
1 Before special items 2 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA 3 FY/21 base: €10,891 million 4 FY/21 base: €1,127 million, before special items, FY/22 before special items
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Fresenius Vamed
Fresenius Vamed manages projects and provides services for hospitals and other health care facilities worldwide and is a leading post-acute care provider in Central Europe. The portfolio ranges along the entire value chain: from project development, planning, and turnkey construction, via maintenance and technical management to total operational management.
Service business with solid top-line performance, but higher than estimated COVID-19 impact in rehabilitation business impacts earnings
Despite improved top-line development, macro challenges remain a headwind in the project business
Revaluation of contractual assets in the international service and project business weighed on EBIT development
Sales increased by 11% (10% in constant currency) to €572 million (Q3/21: €516 million). Organic growth was 10%. In Q1-3/22, sales increased by 6% (6% in constant currency) to €1,647 million (Q1-3/21: €1,549 million). Organic growth was 6%.
Sales in the service business increased by 2% (1% in constant currency) to €418 million (Q3/21: €410 million) due to increasing rehabilitation treatments given fewer capacity restrictions. Sales in the project business increased by 45% (45% in constant currency) to €154 million (Q3/21: €106 million. In Q1-3/22, sales in the service business increased by 6% (5% in constant currency) to €1,240 million (Q1-3/21: €1,165 million). Sales in the project business increased by 6% (6% in constant currency) to €407 million (Q1-3/21: €384 million).
EBIT1 decreased by 57% to €10 million (Q3/21: €23 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 1.7% (Q3/21: 4.5%) driven by macroeconomic headwinds, ongoing COVID impacts, cost inflation as well as the revaluation of contractual assets in the international service and project business. In Q1-3/22, EBIT1 decreased by 17% to €29 million (Q1-3/21: €35 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 1.8% (Q1-3/21: 2.3%).
Net income1,2 decreased by 64% to €5 million (Q3/21: €14 million). In Q1-3/22, Net income1,2 decreased by 17% to €15 million (Q1-3/21: €18 million).
Order intake was €153 million (Q3/21: €120 million). In Q1-3/22 order intake was €669 million (Q1-3/21: €971 million). As of September 30, 2022, order backlog was at €3,726 million (December 31, 2021: €3,473 million).
Operating cash flow decreased to -€18 million (Q3/21: €9 million) with a margin of -3.1% (Q3/21: 1.7%), due to working capital build-ups. In Q1-3/22, operating cash flow decreased to -€56 million (Q1-3/21: €23 million) with a margin of -3.4% (Q1-3/21: 1.5%).
Fresenius Vamed adjusts its outlook for FY/22 and now expects organic sales3 to grow in a mid-single digit percentage range (previously: high-single to low-double-digit percentage range). Constant currency EBIT4 is expected to be around €100 million (previously: return to absolute pre-COVID-19 levels (FY/19: €134 million). Both sales and EBIT outlook include expected COVID-19 effects.
1 Before special items 2 Net income attributable to shareholders of VAMED AG 3 FY/21 base: €2,297 million 4 FY/21 base: €101 million, before special items; FY/22 before special items
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Future results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, e.g. changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory reforms, results of clinical trials, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, the availability of financing and unforeseen impacts of international conflicts. Fresenius does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.
Business development continues to be strongly impacted by highly uncertain macroeconomic environment driving wage and general cost inflation in all reporting segments
Impacts of improvements in North American Health Care Services operations delayed
COVID-19-related excess mortality in line with expectations
Important step in value-based care achieved with closing of InterWell Health merger
Management Team in the process of detailing broader turnaround plan
Revised FY 2022 targets:
o revenue growth still expected at a low-single digit percentage rate
o income now expected to decline in the high teens to mid-twenties percentage range
Carla Kriwet, Chief Executive Officer of Fresenius Medical Care since 1st October, said: “I am excited having started to work for this great company. From the many visits and exchanges in my first month as CEO, I can witness the tremendous dedication of our employees to our patients around the world, under difficult macroeconomic circumstances. While the FME25 new operating model and savings provide an important foundation, there is also a clear urgency to turnaround our operational performance with bold interventions. We are defining a broader turnaround plan, which will also include a culture of performance and accountability.”
“Fresenius Medical Care continues to operate in a challenging and highly volatile macroeconomic and operational environment. As expected, inflationary developments persisted and weighed on our earnings. Open positions in our dialysis clinics were reduced but remained at an elevated level, impacting both costs and growth in Health Care Services. While it is disappointing that the execution against our North America recovery plan is delayed, we are confident that the intensified efforts will improve the performance. Against this backdrop, as a matter of caution, we revise our guidance for 2022 net income development.”, said Helen Giza, Chief Financial Officer of Fresenius Medical Care.
1 Special items include costs related to the FME25 program, the impact of the war in Ukraine, the impact of hyperinflation in Turkiye, the remeasurement effect on the fair value of the investment in Humacyte, Inc. (Humacyte investment remeasurement), the net gain related to InterWell Health and other effects that are unusual in nature and have not been foreseeable or not foreseeable in size or impact at the time of giving guidance. These items are excluded to ensure comparability of the figures presented with the Company’s financial targets which have been defined excluding special items. For further details please see the reconciliation at the end of the Press Release. 2 Attributable to shareholders of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA
Key priorities
Given the operational environment and the likely headwinds for 2023, the Management Team is defining a broad turnaround plan. It will address performance issues in North American Health Care Services, the structural cost base of Health Care Products and an extended cost saving program.
Based on the Company’s new operating model, that will come to life in January 2023, Fresenius Medical Care will not only simplify its organization and significantly reduce overhead costs but rigorously optimize its portfolio in both – the future Care Delivery (Health Care Services) and Care Enablement (Health Care Products) segments. The subsequent capital allocation will focus on profitable growth businesses and improving operational leverage.
InterWell Health merger closed
With the closing of the three-way merger of Fresenius Health Partners, InterWell Health and Cricket Health, a premier value-based kidney care provider has been created in the U.S. This is an important step in the execution of Fresenius Medical Care’s strategy. The new company operates under the InterWell Health brand and will be fully consolidated by Fresenius Medical Care as the majority owner. The closing of the merger resulted in a net gain of EUR 56 million (on operating income level) in the third quarter, which is treated as a special item.
Improvements in North American Health Care Services delayed
Fresenius Medical Care continues to face an unprecedented labor market situation in the U.S., resulting in staff shortages, high turnover rates and meaningfully higher costs. This has continued to impact growth in U.S. Dialysis Services as well as in downstream assets and consequently affected operational leverage in both. Earnings effects were partially mitigated by income attributable to a consent agreement on certain pharmaceuticals in the third quarter.
The impacts of Fresenius Medical Care’s focused efforts to improve North American Health Care Services operations are delayed against the Company’s previous assumptions. Fresenius Medical Care now expects the related effects to materialize in 2023.
The challenging macroeconomic inflationary environment persists, resulting in higher logistics costs as well as raw material and energy prices. Due to this situation not easing, it is assumed to further significantly impact the earnings development, in particular in Health Care Products, for the remainder of the year.
COVID-19-related excess mortality in line with expectations
In the third quarter, COVID-19-related excess mortality among Fresenius Medical Care’s patients amounted to approximately 1,100 (Q1 2022: ~2,400; Q2 2022: ~800 ), in line with the Company’s expectations for the full year. Fresenius Medical Care carefully observes and assesses the development of infection rates in fall. Excess mortality accumulated to approximately 24,600 since the start of the pandemic.
The overall estimated adverse effect of accumulated excess mortality on organic growth in the Health Care Services business amounted to around 230 basis points in the third quarter.
Earnings impacted by higher labor costs and inflationary cost increases Revenue increased by 15% to EUR 5,096 million (+3% at constant currency, +2% organic) in the third quarter.
Health Care Services revenue grew by 16% to EUR 4,082 million (+2% at constant currency, +2% organic). At constant currency, this was mainly driven by organic growth in EMEA, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, which was partially offset by negative organic growth in North America due to COVID-19 and capacity constraints in certain clinics.
Health Care Products revenue increased by 11% to EUR 1,014 million (+4% at constant currency, +4% organic). Constant currency growth was mainly driven by higher sales of in-center disposables and renal pharmaceuticals, partially offset by lower sales of machines for chronic treatment.
In the first nine months, revenue grew by 11% to EUR 14,401 million (+2% at constant currency, +1% organic). Health Care Services revenue increased by 12% to EUR 11,471 million (+2% at constant currency, +1% organic); Health Care Products revenue grew by 8% to EUR 2,930 million (+3% at constant currency, +3% organic).
Operating income decreased by 7% to EUR 472 million (-17% at constant currency) in the third quarter, resulting in a margin of 9.3% (Q3 2021: 11.4%). Operating income excluding special items1 decreased by 8% to EUR 470 million (-18% at constant currency), resulting in a margin of 9.2% (Q3 2021: 11.6%). At constant currency, the decline was mainly due to higher labor costs as well as inflationary and supply chain cost increases. This was partially offset by EUR 80 million (Q3 2021: EUR 0.3 million) of Provider Relief Funding from the U.S. government to compensate for certain COVID-19-related costs.
3 Historical excess mortality updated for late entries
In the first nine months, operating income declined by 17% to EUR 1,160 million (-24% at constant currency), resulting in a margin of 8.1% (9M 2021: 10.8%). At constant currency, the development was supported by EUR 240 million (9M 2021: EUR 14 million) of Provider Relief Funding from the U.S. government to compensate for certain COVID-19-related costs. Excluding special items1, operating income decreased by 7% to EUR 1,322 million (-14% at constant currency), resulting in a margin of 9.2% (9M 2021: 11.0%).
Net income2 decreased by 16% to EUR 230 million (-24% at constant currency) in the third quarter. Excluding special items, net income2 declined by 17% to EUR 231 million (-25% at constant currency). Besides the above-mentioned effects on operating income, the constant currency decline was mainly due to an increase in the proportionate share of non-tax-deductible expenses compared to taxable income. Basic earnings per share (EPS) decreased by 16% to EUR 0.78 (-24% at constant currency). Excluding special items1, EPS declined by 17% to EUR 0.79 (-25% at constant currency).
In the first nine months, net income2 decreased by 28% to EUR 535 million (-34% at constant currency). Excluding special items1, net income2 declined by 13% to EUR 660 million (-18% at constant currency). EPS decreased by 28% to EUR 1.82 (-34% at constant currency). Excluding special items1, EPS declined by 13% to EUR 2.25 (-19% at constant currency).
Regional developments
In North America, revenue increased by 15% to EUR 3,556 million (-1% at constant currency, -2% organic) in the third quarter. At constant currency, this was mainly due to a decline in organic growth in the Health Care Services business, which was due to COVID-19 and capacity constraints in certain clinics, as well as in the Health Care Products business due to lower sales of machines for chronic treatment including the effects the machine shipping hold, products for acute care treatments and in-center disposables. These effects were only partially offset by contributions from acquisitions. In the first nine months, revenue grew by 12% to EUR 10,021 million (stable at constant currency, -1% organic).
Operating income in North America increased by 5% to EUR 469 million (-8% at constant currency) in the third quarter, resulting in a margin of 13.2% (Q3 2021: 14.5%). At constant currency, the decline in operating income was mainly due to higher labor costs, the impact of COVID-19, as well as inflationary and supply chain cost increases. This was partially offset by provider relief funding from the U.S. government to compensate for certain COVID-19-related costs, the net gain related to InterWell Health and income attributable to a consent agreement on certain pharmaceuticals. In the first nine months, operating income declined by 10% to EUR 1,113 million (-20% at constant currency), resulting in a margin of 11.1% (9M 2021: 13.9%).
Revenue in the EMEA region increased by 7% to EUR 720 million in the third quarter (+8% at constant currency, +8% organic). At constant currency, this was mainly due to organic growth in Health Care Services and Health Care Products, both including the effects of hyperinflation in Turkiye. Organic growth in Health Care Products was also driven by higher sales of in-center disposables and renal pharmaceuticals, partially offset by lower sales of acute cardiopulmonary products. In the first nine months, revenue grew by 4% to EUR 2,121 million (+6% at constant currency, +6% organic).
Operating income in EMEA decreased by 40% to EUR 48 million (-41% at constant currency) in the third quarter, resulting in a margin of 6.6% (Q3 2021: 11.7%). At constant currency, the decline in operating income was mainly due to inflationary operational cost increases, costs associated with the FME25 program, and lower income from certain equity method investees. In the first nine months, operating income declined by 27% to EUR 169 million (-26% at constant currency), resulting in a margin of 8.0% (9M 2021: 11.4%).
In Asia-Pacific, revenue increased by 13% to EUR 565 million (+7% at constant currency, +7% organic) in the third quarter. At constant currency, this was mainly driven by organic growth in the Health Care Products business, which was primarily due to higher sales of in-center disposables, products for acute care treatments and machines for chronic treatment. In the first nine months, revenue increased by 9% to EUR 1,588 million (+4% at constant currency, +4% organic).
Operating income decreased by 1% to EUR 85 million (-2% at constant currency) in the third quarter, resulting in a margin of 15.1% (Q3 2021: 17.2%). At constant currency, the decline in operating income was mainly due to inflationary cost increases and higher bad debt expenses, almost offset by favorable foreign currency transaction effects and growth in certain business lines. In the first nine months, operating income was stable and amounted to EUR 255 million (-1% at constant currency), resulting in a margin of 16.1% (9M 2021: 17.5%).
Latin America revenue increased by 36% to EUR 243 million (+36% at constant currency, +37% organic) in the third quarter, mainly driven by organic growth in the Health Care Services business, as well as higher sales of machines for chronic treatment and in-center disposables. In the first nine months, revenue grew by 25% to EUR 633 million (+23% at constant currency, +24% organic).
Operating income increased to EUR 11 million in the third quarter, resulting in a margin of 4.5% (Q3 2021: 2.4%). At constant currency, the increase in operating income was mainly due to income from investments in debt securities, favorable foreign currency transaction effects and lower bad debt expense, partially offset by inflationary cost increases. In the first nine months, operating income grew by 17% to EUR 16 million (-6% at constant currency), resulting in a margin of 2.5% (9M 2021: 2.7%).
Cash flow development
In the third quarter, Fresenius Medical Care generated EUR 658 million of operating cash flow (Q3 2021: EUR 692 million), resulting in a margin of 12.9% (Q3 2021: 15.6%). The decrease was mainly due to lower net income. In the first nine months, operating cash flow amounted to EUR 1,568 million (9M 2021: EUR 1,820 million), resulting in a margin of 10.9% (9M 2021: 14.0%).
Free cash flow4 amounted to EUR 501 million (Q3 2021: EUR 511 million) in the third quarter, resulting in a margin of 9.8% (Q3 2021: 11.5%). In the first nine months, free cash flow amounted to EUR 1,082 million (9M 2021: EUR 1,259 million), resulting in a margin of 7.5% (9M 2021: 9.7%).
Patients, clinics and employees
As of September 30, 2022, Fresenius Medical Care treated 344,593 patients in 4,153 dialysis clinics worldwide and had 122,758 employees (full-time equivalents) globally, compared to 123,528 employees as of September 30, 2021.
FME25 Savings generation on track
The target range of EUR 40-70 million set for 2022 as part of the FME25 transformation program has been reached with savings of EUR 54 million in the first nine months of the year. Fresenius Medical Care will continue to look for opportunities to extend FME25 initiatives to support the turnaround plan.
4 Net cash provided by / used in operating activities, after capital expenditures, before acquisitions, investments, and dividends
Outlook
Based on the delayed impacts of improvements in North American Health Care Services operations, the continuously challenging and uncertain macroeconomic environment, and the results for the third quarter, which had a more pronounced support by one-time effects, Fresenius Medical Care, as a matter of caution, extends its 2022 guidance range for net income decline from a high-teens to a high-teens to mid-twenties percentage range. The Company confirms its target for revenue to grow at a low single digit percentage rate in full year 2022.
Revenue and net income guidance are both on a constant currency basis and excluding special items.5
Conference call
Fresenius Medical Care will host a conference call to discuss the results of the third quarter 2022 on October 31, at 3:30 p.m. CET / 10:30 a.m. EDT. Details will be available in the “Investors” section of the Company’s website. A replay will be available shortly after the call.
5 These targets are based on the 2021 results excluding the costs related to FME25 of EUR 49 million (for Net Income). They are in constant currency and exclude special items. Special items include further costs related to FME25, the impact of the war in Ukraine, the impact of hyperinflation in Turkiye, the Humacyte investment remeasurement, the net gain related to InterWell Health and other effects that are unusual in nature and have not been foreseeable or not foreseeable in size or impact at the time of giving guidance.
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, legal changes, regulatory approvals, impacts related to COVID-19, results of clinical studies, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.
Implementation of measures as presented herein may be subject to information and consultation procedures with works councils and other employee representative bodies, as per local laws and practice. Consultation procedures may lead to changes on proposed measures.
Healthy organic sales growth and ongoing margin pressure
Fresenius Medical Care’s business development impacted by delayed effects from improvements in North American Services business in challenging environment
Fresenius Kabi with healthy sales growth and sequential improvement
Fresenius Helios with strong organic sales growth, solid EBIT in line with usual third quarter seasonality
Fresenius Vamed impacted by macroeconomic headwinds and COVID-19
If no timeframe is specified, information refers to Q3/2022.
1 Before special items, Q1/22 restated following remeasurement Humacyte investment 2 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA 3 Excluding Ivenix and mAbxience acquisitions
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Michael Sen, CEO of Fresenius said, “Over the past month, I’ve met with many of my Fresenius colleagues. Like me, they have tremendous passion and commitment to patients, physicians and health care professionals. What we do is life-saving.”
Sen continued, “Everyone at Fresenius knows we must improve on what we do. My priorities are clear: Reset the company aiming at becoming a stronger company and delivering value for our shareholders. Our businesses are growing yet in a more challenging environment. Now we sharpen our focus on structural productivity. More fundamentally, we have embarked on a top-to-bottom review of every business activity, looking at the entire corporate portfolio. The focus is on returns. This will not happen overnight, but we will move at a faster pace and more decisively than ever before. This will benefit all our stakeholders. This is #FutureFresenius.”
Sen concluded, “Fresenius is a strong company, with great products, great market positions. Now we have to make it stronger.”
FY/22 Group guidance
Since Fresenius Medical Care continues to operate in a challenging environment, the impacts of the Company’s focused efforts to improve North American Health Care Services operations are delayed against previous assumptions. Therefore, Fresenius Medical Care now assumes lower contributions in the financial year 2022.
Consequently, Fresenius Medical Care now expects net income (attributable to shareholders of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA) for the financial year 2022 to decline in the high teens to mid-twenties percentage range. The Company continues to anticipate revenue to grow at a low-single digit percentage range in the financial year 2022. These targets are in constant currency and exclude special items.
All other business segments of the Fresenius Group, in particular Vamed, are also affected by a challenging overall economic environment. Thus, there are increased uncertainties, inflation-related cost increases, staff shortages, disruptions in supply chains, and increased energy costs. This has a direct impact on customer and patient behavior.
However, as a consequence of the development at Fresenius Medical Care, Fresenius Vamed, and in view of increasing indications of a persistent unfavorable development of these and other factors for the further course of the financial year, the Management Board has changed its risk assessment and consequently also adjusted the Group outlook for FY/22.
At constant currency, the Company now anticipates Group net income1,2 to decline around ten percent (previously: decline in a low-to-mid single-digit percentage range). Group sales3 in constant currency continue to be expected to grow in a low-to-mid single-digit percentage range.
Without the closed acquisition of Ivenix and the completed acquisition of a majority stake in mAbxience as well as any further potential acquisitions, Fresenius expects the net debt/EBITDA4 ratio to be roughly on the same level as in Q3/22 (3.64x5) by the end of 2022 (December 31, 2021: 3.51x5).
1 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA 2 FY/21 base: €1,867 million, before special items; FY/22: before special items 3 FY/21 base: €37,520 million 4 At LTM average exchange rates for both net debt and EBITDA; pro forma closed acquisitions/divestitures;excluding further potential acquisitions; before special items; including lease liabilities 5 At LTM average exchange rates for both net debt and EBITDA; pro forma closed acquisitions/divestitures;
before special items; including lease liabilities
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Assumptions for guidance FY/22
For 2022 and beyond, Fresenius expects that the current challenging market environment and the global macro-economic headwinds will remain. In particular, the general cost inflation, labor shortages, meaningful uncertainty with regard to the future development of energy prices, burdens from supply chain disruptions and ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to continue. The guidance does not consider a significant disruption of gas or electricity supplies in Europe.
Fresenius will continue to closely monitor the potential further consequences of the overall heightened volatility and muted visibility, including balance sheet valuations.
The war in Ukraine is directly and indirectly affecting Fresenius Group operations. The direct adverse effects of the war amounted to €24 million at net income1 level of Fresenius Group in Q1-3/22 and are treated as a special item.
An unlikely but possible significant deterioration of the situation triggering containment measures that could have a significant and direct impact on the health care sector without any appropriate compensation is not reflected in the Group’s FY/22 guidance.
For Fresenius Medical Care‘s contribution to the Group’s financial figures, the assumptions for Fresenius Medical Care's FY/22 guidance are also fully applicable to Fresenius Group's FY/22 guidance.
All of these assumptions are subject to considerable uncertainty.
The acquisitions of Ivenix and of the majority stake in mAbxience as well as any further potential acquisitions remain excluded from guidance.
1 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
5% sales increase in constant currency
Group sales increased by 12% (5% in constant currency) to €10,459 million (Q3/21: €9,324 million). Organic growth was 4%. Acquisitions/divestitures contributed net 1% to growth. Currency translation increased sales growth by 7%. Excluding estimated COVID-19 effects1, Group sales growth would have been 4% to 5% in constant currency (Q3/21: 7% to 8%).
In Q1-3/22, Group sales increased by 10% (4% in constant currency) to €30,197 million (Q1-3/21: €27,554 million). Organic growth was 3%. Acquisitions/divestitures contributed net 1% to growth. Currency translation increased sales growth by 6%. Excluding estimated COVID-19 effects1, Group sales growth would have been 3% to 4% in constant currency (Q1-3/21: 5% to 6%).
19% net income2,3,4 decline in constant currency
Group EBITDA before special items decreased by 2% (-10% in constant currency) to €1,662 million (Q3/212: €1,703 million). Reported Group EBITDA was €1,658 million (Q3/21: €1,667 million).
In Q1-3/22, Group EBITDA before special items remained nearly unchanged (-6% in constant currency) at €5,006 million (Q1-3/212: €5,008 million). Reported Group EBITDA was €4,781 million (Q1-3/21: €4,957 million).
Group EBIT before special items decreased by 9% (-17% in constant currency) to €949 million (Q3/212: €1,044 million). The decrease was mainly driven by higher labor costs at Fresenius Medical Care in the U.S., general cost inflation, revaluation of contract assets in the international service and project business at Fresenius Vamed as well as higher costs in the Corporate segment. The EBIT margin before special items was 9.1% (Q3/212: 11.2%). Reported Group EBIT was €887 million (Q3/21: €1,008 million).
In Q1-3/22, Group EBIT before special items decreased by 4% (-10% in constant currency) to €2,952 million (Q1-3/212: €3,086 million). The EBIT margin before special items was 9.8% (Q1-3/212: 11.2%). Reported Group EBIT was €2,634 million (Q1-3/21: €3,035 million).
1 For estimated COVID-19 effects please see table on page 20. 2 Before special items 3 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA 4 Excluding Ivenix and mAbxience acquisitions
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Group net interest before special items was -€141 million (Q3/211: -€126 million) mainly due to currency translation effects and overall higher interest rates. Reported Group net interest decreased to -€141 million (Q3/21: -€126 million).
In Q1-3/22, Group net interest before special items improved to -€376 million (Q1-3/211: -€384 million). Reported Group net interest improved to -€375 million (Q1-3/21: -€384 million).
Group tax rate before special items was 25.0% (Q3/211: 22.9%) mainly due to an increase in the proportionate share of non-tax-deductible expenses compared to taxable income at Fresenius Medical Care. Reported Group tax rate was 26.1% (Q3/21: 22.8%). In Q1-3/22, Group tax rate before special items was 23.5% (Q1-3/211: 22.4%) while the reported Group tax rate was 24.1% (Q1-3/21: 22.3%).
Noncontrolling interests before special items were -€235 million (Q3/211: -€273 million) of which 90% were attributable to the noncontrolling interests in Fresenius Medical Care. Reported noncontrolling interests were -€230 million (Q3/21: -€268 million).
In Q1-3/22, Noncontrolling interests before special items were -€686 million (Q1-3/211: -€751 million) of which 89% were attributable to the noncontrolling interests in Fresenius Medical Care. Reported noncontrolling interests were -€597 million (Q1-3/21: -€741 million).
Group net income2 before special items decreased by 15% (-22%/-19%3 in constant currency) to €371 million (Q3/211: €435 million). The decrease was mainly driven by higher labor costs at Fresenius Medical Care in the U.S., general cost inflation, revaluation of contract assets in the international service and project business at Fresenius Vamed as well as higher costs in the Corporate/Other segment. Moreover, increased interest expenses and a higher tax rate had a negative effect on Group net income. Excluding estimated COVID-19 effects4, Group net income2 before special items was -26% to -22% in constant currency (Q3/21: 12% to 16%). Reported Group net income2 decreased to €321 million (Q3/21: €413 million).
In Q1-3/22, Group net income2 before special items decreased by 5% (-10%/-8%3 in constant currency) to €1,284 million (Q1-3/211: €1,346 million). Excluding estimated COVID-19 effects4, Group net income2 before special items was -15% to -11% in constant currency (Q1-3/21: 7% to 11%). Reported Group net income2 decreased to €1,117 million (Q1-3/21: €1,319 million).
1 Before special items 2 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA 3 Excluding Ivenix and mAbxience acquisitions 4 For estimated COVID-19 effects please see table on page 20
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Earnings per share1 before special items decreased by 15% (-22% in constant currency) to €0.66 (Q3/212: €0.78). Reported earnings per share1 were €0.57 (Q3/21: €0.74).
In Q1-3/22, earnings per share1 before special items decreased by 5% (-10% in constant currency) to €2.29 (Q1-3/212: €2.41). Reported earnings per share1 were €1.99 (Q1-3/21: €2.36).
Continued investment in growth
Spending on property, plant and equipment was €416 million corresponding to 4% of sales (Q3/21: €449 million; 5% of sales). These investments served primarily for the modernization and expansion of dialysis clinics, production facilities as well as hospitals and day clinics. In Q1-3/22, spending on property, plant and equipment was €1,173 million corresponding to 4% of sales (Q1-3/21: €1,342 million; 5% of sales).
Total acquisition spending was €502 million (Q3/21: €167 million), mainly for the majority stake in mAbxience by Fresenius Kabi. In Q1-3/22, total acquisition spending was €955 million (Q1-3/21: €807 million).
Cash flow development
Group operating cash flow increased to €1,256 million (Q3/21: €1,226 million) with a margin of 12.0% (Q3/21: 13.1%). Free cash flow before acquisitions and dividends increased to €876 million (Q3/21: €793 million). Free cash flow after acquisitions and dividends decreased to €388 million (Q3/21: €594 million).
In Q1-3/22, Group operating cash flow decreased to €2,374 million (Q1-3/21: €3,329 million) with a margin of 7.9% (Q1-3/21: 12.1%). Free cash flow before acquisitions and dividends decreased to €1,202 million (Q1-3/21: €1,986 million). Free cash flow after acquisitions and dividends decreased to -€406 million (Q1-3/21: €352 million).
Solid balance sheet structure
Group total assets increased by 12% (4% in constant currency) to €80,328 million (Dec. 31, 2021: €71,962 million) given currency translation effects, acquisitions and the expansion of business activities. Current assets increased by 11% (6% in constant currency) to €19,443 million (Dec. 31, 2021: €17,461 million), mainly driven by the increase of trade accounts receivables and inventories. Non-current assets increased by 12% (4% in constant currency) to €60,885 million (Dec. 31, 2021: €54,501 million).
Total shareholders’ equity increased by 17% (6% in constant currency) to €34,156 million (Dec. 31, 2021: €29,288 million). The equity ratio was 42.5% (Dec. 31, 2021: 40.7%).
Group debt increased by 5% (1% in constant currency) at €28,607 million (Dec. 31, 2021: € 27,155 million). Group net debt increased by 9% (4% in constant currency) to € 26,479 million (Dec. 31, 2021: € 24,391 million).
As of September 30, 2022, the net debt/EBITDA ratio was 3.74x1,2 (Dec. 31, 2021: 3.51x1,2) mainly driven by lower EBITDA contribution as well as acquisition spending. The net debt/EBITDA as of September 30, 2022 excluding the closed acquisition of Ivenix and the completed acquisition of a majority stake in mAbxience was 3.641,2.
1 At LTM average exchange rates for both net debt and EBITDA; pro forma closed acquisitions/divestitures 2 Before special items
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Business Segments
Fresenius Medical Care (Financial data according to Fresenius Medical Care press release)Fresenius Medical Care is the world's largest provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases. As of September 30, 2022, Fresenius Medical Care was treating 344,593 patients in 4,153 dialysis clinics. Along with its core business, the Renal Care Continuum, the company focuses on expanding in complementary areas and in the field of critical care.
Business development continues to be strongly impacted by uncertain inflationary macroeconomic environment
Impacts of improvements in North American Health Care Services operations delayed
COVID-19-related excess mortality in line with expectations
Important step in value-based care achieved with closing of InterWell Health merger
Sales increased by 15% (3% in constant currency) to €5,096 million (Q3/21: €4,441 million). Organic growth was 2%. Currency translation increased sales growth by 12%. In Q1-3/22, sales increased by 11% (2% in constant currency) to €14,401 million (Q1-3/21: €12,972 million). Organic growth was 1%. Currency translation increased sales growth by 9%.
EBIT decreased by 7% (-17% in constant currency) to €472 million (Q3/21: €505 million) resulting in a margin of 9.3% (Q3/21: 11.4%). EBIT before special items decreased by 8% (-18% in constant currency) to €470 million (Q3/21: €513 million), resulting in a margin1 of 9.2% (Q3/21: 11.6%). At constant currency, the decline was mainly due to higher labor costs as well as inflationary and supply chain cost increases. This was partially offset by €80 million (Q3 2021: €0.3 million) of Provider Relief Funding from the U.S. government to compensate for certain COVID-19-related costs. In Q1-3/22, EBIT decreased by 17% (-24% in constant currency) to €1,160 million (Q1-3/21: €1,403 million) resulting in a margin of 8.1% (Q1-3/21: 10.8%). EBIT before special items decreased by 7% (-14% in constant currency) to €1,322 million (Q1-3/21: €1,423 million), resulting in a margin1 of 9.2% (Q1-3/21: 11.0%).
Net income2 decreased by 16% (-24% in constant currency) to €230 million (Q3/21: €273 million). Net income2 before special items decreased by 17% (-25% in constant currency) to €231 million (Q3/21: €280 million). Besides the above-mentioned effects on operating income, the constant currency decline was mainly due to an increase in the proportionate share of non-tax-deductible expenses compared to taxable income.
In Q1-3/22, net income2 decreased by 28% (-34% in constant currency) to €535 million (Q1-3/21: €741 million). Net income2 before special items decreased by 13% (-18% in constant currency) to €660 million (Q1-3/21: €756 million).
Operating cash flow was €658 million (Q3/21: €692million) with a margin of 12.9% (Q3/21: 15.6%). The decrease was mainly due to lower net income. In Q1-3/22, operating cash flow was €1,568 million (Q1-3/21: €1,820 million) with a margin of 10.9% (Q1-3/21: 14.0%).
Based on the delayed impacts of improvements in North American Health Care Services operations, the continuously challenging and uncertain macroeconomic environment, and the results for the third quarter, which had a more pronounced support by one-time effects, Fresenius Medical Care, as a matter of caution, extends its 2022 guidance range for net income2,3 decline from a high-teens to a high-teens to mid-twenties percentage range. The Company confirms its target for revenue4 to grow at a low single digit percentage rate in full year 2022. Revenue and net income guidance are both on a constant currency basis and excluding special items5.
1 Before special items 2 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA 3 FY/21 base: €1,018 million, before special items; FY/22 before special items 4 FY/21 base: €17,619 million 5 These targets are based on the 2021 results excluding the costs related to FME25 of EUR 49 million (for Net Income). They are in constant currency and exclude special items. Special items include further costs related to FME25, the impact of the war in Ukraine, the impact of hyperinflation in Turkiye, the Humacyte investment remeasurement, the net gain related to InterWell Health and other effects that are unusual in nature and have not been foreseeable or not foreseeable in size or impact at the time of giving guidance.
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
InterWell Health merger closed
With the closing of the three-way merger of Fresenius Health Partners, InterWell Health and Cricket Health, a premier value-based kidney care provider has been created in the U.S. This is an important step in the execution of Fresenius Medical Care’s strategy. The new company operates under the InterWell Health brand and will be fully consolidated by Fresenius Medical Care as the majority owner. The closing of the merger resulted in a net gain of €56 million (on EBIT level) in the third quarter, which is treated as a special item.
Fresenius Kabi Fresenius Kabi offers intravenously administered generic drugs, clinical nutrition and infusion therapies for seriously and chronically ill patients in the hospital and outpatient environments. The company is also a leading supplier of medical devices and transfusion technology products. In the biosimilars business, Fresenius Kabi develops products with a focus on oncology and autoimmune diseases.
1 Before special items 2 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA 3 Excluding Ivenix and mAbxience acquisitions
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Solid organic sales growth in all three growth vectors against already strong Q3/21
Biopharmaceuticals continue strong trajectory in line with ambitious plan
Growth in Europe and rest of the world outweighing pressures in North America
Sequentially constant EBIT margin3 despite headwinds from cost increases
Sales increased by 12% (4% in constant currency) to €2,071 million (Q3/21: €1,854 million). Organic growth was 3%. In Q1-3/22, sales increased by 8% (2% in constant currency) to €5,814 million (Q1-3/21: €5,370 million). Organic growth was 2%. Positive currency translation effects of 8% in Q3/22 and 6% in Q1-3/22 were mainly related to the U.S. dollar and Chinese yuan.
Sales in North America increased by 13% (organic growth: -2%) to €668 million (Q3/21: €589 million). The significant sales growth was mainly driven by positive currency effects while organic growth continued to be impacted by ongoing competitive pressure and supply chain challenges. In Q1-3/22, sales in North America increased by 11% (organic growth: -1%) to €1,853 million (Q1-3/21: €1,669 million).
Sales in Europe increased by 8% (organic growth: 6%) to €669 million (Q3/21: €620 million) driven by a broad-based positive development, and biopharmaceuticals. In Q1-3/22, sales in Europe increased by 5% (organic growth: 4%) to €1,967 million (Q1-3/21: €1,880 million).
Sales in Asia-Pacific increased by 4% (organic growth: -4%) to €467 million (Q3/21: €447 million). Organic growth was affected by price pressure from the NVBP (National Volume-Based Procurement) tenders in China. In Q1-3/22, sales in Asia-Pacific increased by 6% (organic growth: -2%) to €1,325 million (Q1-3/21: €1,248 million).
Sales in Latin America/Africa increased by 35% (organic growth: 27%) to €267 million (Q3/21: €198 million), due to a positive business development in both regions. In Q1-3/22, sales in Latin America/Africa increased by 17% (organic growth: 11%) to €669 million (Q1-3/21: €573 million).
Sales in the Biopharmaceuticals business was €64 million. In Q1-3/22, sales in the Biopharmaceuticals business was €116 million.
EBIT1 decreased by 7% (-18%/-11% in constant currency) to €280 million (Q3/21: €300 million), mainly related to ongoing cost inflation, supply chain challenges as well as competitive pressure. EBIT margin1 was 13.5% (Q3/21: 16.2%). Excluding the acquisitions of Ivenix and the majority stake in mAbxience, the constant currency EBIT margin1 was sequentially stable at 14.6%2 in Q3/22 (Q2/22: 14.7%2) despite the mentioned headwinds. In Q1-3/22, EBIT1 decreased by 3% (-12%/-9%2 in constant currency) to €844 million (Q1-3/21: €874 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 14.5%/15.0%2 (Q1-3/21: 16.3%).
Net income1,3 decreased by 11% (-21% in constant currency) to €184 million (Q3/21: €206 million). In Q1-3/22, net income1,3 decreased by 4% (-13% in constant currency) to €574 million (Q1-3/21: €600 million).
1 Before special items 2 Excluding Ivenix and mAbxience acquisitions 3 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Operating cash flow decreased to €301 million (Q3/21: €393 million) with a margin of 14.5% (Q3/21: 21.2%), mainly driven by a working capital build-up from e.g. higher inventories. In Q1-3/22, operating cash flow decreased to €543 million (Q1-3/21: €868 million) with a margin of 9.3% (Q1-3/21: 16.2%).
For FY/22, Fresenius Kabi confirms its outlook and expects organic sales1 growth in a low-single-digit percentage range. Constant currency EBIT2 is expected to decline in a high-single- to low-double-digit percentage range. Both sales and EBIT outlook include expected COVID-19 effects. The financial effects from the acquisitions of Ivenix and the majority stake in mAbxience remain excluded from guidance.
1 FY/21 base: €7,193 million 2 FY/21 base: €1,153 million, before special items, FY/22 before special items,
excluding Ivenix and mAbxience acquisitions
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Fresenius Helios Fresenius Helios is Europe's leading private hospital operator. The company comprises Helios Germany, Helios Spain and Helios Fertility. Helios Germany operates 87 hospitals, ~130 outpatient centers and 6 prevention centers. Helios Spain operates 50 hospitals, 101 outpatient centers and around 300 occupational risk prevention centers. In addition, the company is active in Latin America with 8 hospitals and as a provider of medical diagnostics. Helios Fertility offers a wide spectrum of state-of-the-art services in the field of fertility treatments.
Fresenius Helios with strong organic sales growth; solid EBIT development in line with usual third quarter seasonality
Helios Germany with gradually improving admissions
Helios Spain with ongoing healthy activity levels
Helios Fertility with lower volumes driven by delayed treatments
Sales increased by 8% (7% in constant currency) to €2,829 million (Q3/21: €2,622 million). Organic growth was 6%. Acquisitions, mainly at Helios Fertility, contributed 2% to sales growth. Divestments reduced sales by 1%. In Q1-3/22, sales increased by 8% (8% in constant currency) to €8,685 million (Q1-3/21: €8,009 million). Organic growth was 6%. Acquisitions contributed 2% to sales growth.
Sales of Helios Germany increased by 6% (organic growth: 5%) to €1,731 million (Q3/21: €1,640 million), mainly driven by gradually increasing admissions, which are however still below pre-pandemic levels. Acquisitions contributed 1% to sales growth. In Q1-3/22, sales of Helios Germany increased by 6% (organic growth: 5%) to €5,272 million (Q1-3/21: €4,988 million). Acquisitions contributed 1% to sales growth.
Sales of Helios Spain increased by 10% (9% in constant currency) to €1,037 million (Q3/21: €941 million). Organic growth of 8% was driven by the continuous high level of treatment activity. The clinics in Latin America also showed a good performance. Acquisitions contributed 1% to sales growth. In Q1-3/22, sales of Helios Spain increased by 10% (9% in constant currency) to €3,227 million (Q1-3/21: €2,937 million). Organic growth was 9%.
Sales of the Helios Fertility were €62 million (Q3/21: €40 million). In Q1-3/22, sales of the Helios Fertility were €184 million.
EBIT1 remained stable (-1% in constant currency) at €222 million (Q3/21: €222 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 7.8% (Q3/21: 8.5%). In Q1-3/22, EBIT1 increased by 5% (5% in constant currency) to €831 million (Q1-3/21: 788 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 9.6% (Q1-3/21: 9.8%).
EBIT1 of Helios Germany increased by 1% to €141 million (Q3/21: €140 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 8.1% (Q3/21: 8.5%). The increase of costs from the use of external staff due to COVID-19 related staff absenteeism continued to weigh on profitability. Inflationary cost effects had only a small negative impact. In Q1-3/22, EBIT1 of Helios Germany increased by 2% to €449 million (Q1-3/21: €442 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 8.5% (Q1-3/21: 8.9%).
EBIT1 of Helios Spain increased by 5% (3% in constant currency) to €83 million (Q3/21: €79 million) despite increased cost inflation. The EBIT margin1 was 8.0% (Q3/21: 8.4%). In Q1-3/22, EBIT1 of Helios Spain increased by 9% (9% in constant currency) to €384 million (Q1-3/21: €352 million). The EBIT margin1 was 11.9% (Q1-3/21: 12.0%).
EBIT1 of Helios Fertility was €4 million with an EBIT margin1 of 6.5% (Q3/21: €9 million). Lower volumes by delayed treatments driven by macroeconomic environment. Prior year quarter was inflated by a positive special item. In Q1-3/22, EBIT1 of Helios Fertility was €15 million (Q1-3/21: €14 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 8.2%.
Net income1,2 increased by 2% (1% in constant currency) to €138 million (Q3/21: €135 million). In Q1-3/22, net income1,2 increased by 6% (5% in constant currency) to €530 million (Q1-3/21: €501 million).
Operating cash flow increased to €353 million (Q3/21: €157 million) with a margin of 12.5% (Q3/21: 6.0%) mainly due to an improved receivables management in Spain. In Q1-3/22, operating cash flow decreased to €411 million (Q1-3/21: €595 million) with a margin of 4.7% (Q1-3/21: 7.4%)
For FY/22, Fresenius Helios confirms its outlook and expects organic sales3 growth in a low- to mid-single-digit percentage range and constant currency EBIT4 growth in a mid-single-digit percentage range. Both sales and EBIT outlook include expected COVID-19 effects.
1 Before special items 2 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA 3 FY/21 base: €10,891 million 4 FY/21 base: €1,127 million, before special items, FY/22 before special items
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
Fresenius Vamed Fresenius Vamed manages projects and provides services for hospitals and other health care facilities worldwide and is a leading post-acute care provider in Central Europe. The portfolio ranges along the entire value chain: from project development, planning, and turnkey construction, via maintenance and technical management to total operational management.
Service business with solid top-line performance, but higher than estimated COVID-19 impact in rehabilitation business impacts earnings
Despite improved top-line development, macro challenges remain a headwind in the project business
Revaluation of contractual assets in the international service and project business weighed on EBIT development
Sales increased by 11% (10% in constant currency) to €572 million (Q3/21: €516 million). Organic growth was 10%. In Q1-3/22, sales increased by 6% (6% in constant currency) to €1,647 million (Q1-3/21: €1,549 million). Organic growth was 6%.
Sales in the service business increased by 2% (1% in constant currency) to €418 million (Q3/21: €410 million) due to increasing rehabilitation treatments given fewer capacity restrictions. Sales in the project business increased by 45% (45% in constant currency) to €154 million (Q3/21: €106 million. In Q1-3/22, sales in the service business increased by 6% (5% in constant currency) to €1,240 million (Q1-3/21: €1,165 million). Sales in the project business increased by 6% (6% in constant currency) to €407 million (Q1-3/21: €384 million).
EBIT1 decreased by 57% to €10 million (Q3/21: €23 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 1.7% (Q3/21: 4.5%) driven by macroeconomic headwinds, ongoing COVID impacts, cost inflation as well as the revaluation of contractual assets in the international service and project business. In Q1-3/22, EBIT1 decreased by 17% to €29 million (Q1-3/21: €35 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 1.8% (Q1-3/21: 2.3%).
Net income1,2 decreased by 64% to €5 million (Q3/21: €14 million). In Q1-3/22, Net income1,2 decreased by 17% to €15 million (Q1-3/21: €18 million).
Order intake was €153 million (Q3/21: €120 million). In Q1-3/22 order intake was €669 million (Q1-3/21: €971 million). As of September 30, 2022, order backlog was at €3,726 million (December 31, 2021: €3,473 million).
Operating cash flow decreased to -€18 million (Q3/21: €9 million) with a margin of -3.1% (Q3/21: 1.7%), due to working capital build-ups. In Q1-3/22, operating cash flow decreased to -€56 million (Q1-3/21: €23 million) with a margin of -3.4% (Q1-3/21: 1.5%).
Fresenius Vamed adjusts its outlook for FY/22 and now expects organic sales3 to grow in a mid-single digit percentage range (previously: high-single to low-double-digit percentage range). Constant currency EBIT4 is expected to be around €100 million (previously: return to absolute pre-COVID-19 levels (FY/19: €134 million). Both sales and EBIT outlook include expected COVID-19 effects.
1 Before special items 2 Net income attributable to shareholders of VAMED AG 3 FY/21 base: €2,297 million 4 FY/21 base: €101 million, before special items; FY/22 before special items
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables on pages 22-25 in the PDF.
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Future results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, e.g. changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory reforms, results of clinical trials, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, the availability of financing and unforeseen impacts of international conflicts. Fresenius does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.
A cochlear implant is an artificial inner ear set in place through surgery and allows the patient to hear through the auditory nerve.
Dr. Veronika Wolter offers a first stop for patients with damaged hearing at the new Helios Hörklinik Oberbayern, the Upper Bavaria hearing clinic in Helios Hospital Munich West in the Bavarian state capital. “I know how difficult life can be when you are hard of hearing, as I am myself deaf and wear two implants,” Wolter said. “From normal hearing to nothing at all – I have experienced all this myself.”
(Published: December 2022)
At the age of nine, she contracted meningitis. The disease initially caused medium hearing loss and eventually a near total loss of hearing. A cochlear implant allowed her to recoup her ability to hear. Today the physician and mother of two children, now 40, is a renowned specialist for artificial hearing prosthetics. Veronika Wolter is not only Germany’s first deaf chief physician in an acute care hospital, she also is the world’s only deaf chief physician for ear, nose and throat disorders.
Life has not always been easy. In school, other students systematically shut her out, and teachers told her she didn’t belong in a normal school; they would have loved to transfer her to a school for the deaf. “That was something I could not conceive of at all,” Wolter recalled. “It was completely strange to me and sounded like a threat. It was not a very nice time at all, and I often felt very alone.”
The skepticism continued in university. “How will you be able to use a stethoscope?” one professor asked. “As a person with damaged hearing,” said another, “you can forget about ever being allowed to operate.”
"The implants were a real game changer that have had an unbelievably positive influence on my life."
Dr. Veronika Wolter is the world’s only deaf chief physician for ear, nose and throat disorders.
The many humiliations and hurdles caused Wolter to adopt a seize-the-moment attitude. And her parents were always supportive, which was a great help. Then came the event that really helped set her free: In 2005 the young medical student became only the third person in the world to receive the newly developed Carina System, which was completely implantable and can be counted as a first step toward modern-day implants. The cochlear implant, which is the only medical system that can artificially compensate for the lost nerve cells, followed four years later.
A cochlear implant is an artificial inner ear set in place through surgery. It consists of two components: One of them is affixed in an operation on the bone behind the ear. A second component is attached from the outside. While a hearing aid is limited to boosting sound that can stimulate damaged hairs that act as receptors in the inner ear, a cochlear implant allows the patient to hear through the auditory nerve, which generally is damage-free. Before an operation is considered, a careful diagnosis is undertaken to confirm that the auditory nerve is intact and that the patient is suitable for an inner ear prosthesis.
Cochlear implant recipients can now score the same as a person with normal hearing on hearing and speech tests commonly in use today. At the 65-decibel level of normal speech, many recipients can understand every spoken word. Nonetheless, there are still situations where persons with normal hearing have an advantage – in noisy surroundings such as a restaurant or an airport. Additional tools are available to help in these situations. Wolter, for example, likes to use AudioStream, a direct streaming system, when telephoning: An integrated receiver set in the external component works with AudioStream to make the sound on telephone calls as clear as glass, even with background noises. The acoustic signals are transmitted wirelessly and invisibly to both ears.
Those who don’t know Wolter is deaf also won’t be able to hear it in her speech and won’t at first see anything different. “I became deaf after I had learned to speak, so I know what normal hearing and speech is all about,” she said. “That’s why you can’t notice the difference in me. On top of that, I have excellent hearing, thanks to my ear prostheses. The outside components to the implant – the processors and the transmitter– sit on the ear much like eyeglass arms. If I want to, I can hide them under my hair. The implants were a real game changer that have had an unbelievably positive influence on my life.”
As one with the same affliction, she has a special understanding of her patients. Wolter understands the difficulties they face, their fears and concerns as well as their hopes and dreams. “Sometimes,” she said, “we understand each other without words.”
Contact
Helios Kliniken GmbH
Friedrichstr. 136
10117 Berlin
Germany
T +49 30 521 321-0
Fresenius Kabi announced today it has launched Gadoterate Meglumine Injection, USP, a bioequivalent and therapeutic equivalent substitute for the contrast agent Dotarem®*. This is the second contrast agent introduced by Fresenius Kabi in the U.S. this year.
Contrast agents are used by radiologists to enhance the visibility of internal structures in imaging procedures such as MRI or CT scans. Contrast agents are a new category of health care products for Fresenius Kabi.
*Dotarem® is a registered trademark of Guerbet.
Fresenius Kabi announced today it has launched Gadoterate Meglumine Injection, USP, a bioequivalent and therapeutic equivalent substitute for the contrast agent Dotarem®*. This is the second contrast agent introduced by Fresenius Kabi in the U.S. this year.
Contrast agents are used by radiologists to enhance the visibility of internal structures in imaging procedures such as MRI or CT scans. Contrast agents are a new category of health care products for Fresenius Kabi.
