Hikma Projects Slower 2026 Growth and Withdraws Outlook
Hikma expects revenue growth to slow to 2% to 4% this year amid rising competition. Said Darwazah will step down as executive chairman to lead a turnaround.
The United Kingdom-based drugmaker Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC has announced a cautious financial outlook for 2026, forecasting a slowdown in annual revenue growth and withdrawing its medium-term performance targets. The company expects revenue to grow between 2% and 4% this year, a decrease from the 7% growth recorded in 2025. This revision signals ongoing challenges for the generic drug manufacturer as it contends with a shifting competitive landscape.
Financial projections for the year include a core operating profit estimated between $720 million and $770 million, compared to the $741 million achieved in the previous year. The decision to withdraw medium-term targets reflects the volatility in the pharmaceutical market, particularly regarding high-value products.
In a significant leadership change, Said Darwazah will step down as executive chairman to focus his efforts as CEO on a strategic turnaround of the company. This move is intended to address the pressures the firm is facing in the United States, where rising competition and margin compression on injectable products have impacted profitability.
The company also provided an update on its operational timeline, stating that full commercial production at its Bedford manufacturing facility is not expected to begin until 2028. The delay and the lowered growth forecast highlight the difficulties Hikma faces in maintaining its market position amid intensifying industry rivalry.
