Altana "hold"

12/06/04 - Merck Finck & Co.

LONDON, December 6 (newratings.com) - Analyst Carsten Kunold of Merck Finck & Co maintains his "hold" rating on Altana (ALT1-EUR).

In a research note published this morning, the analyst mentions that the company has filed a lawsuit in Berlin's Social Court regarding the inclusion of its Pantoprazole drug in a reference-price group. The inclusion would cost Altana approximately €35 million, the analyst believes. Merck Finck & Co expresses its concern regarding the delayed approval of the company's two new drugs.