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Taro Reports Record 2nd Quarter & Six-Month 2003 Results

    HAWTHORNE, N. Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 24, 2003--

               30th Consecutive Quarter of Record Sales;
             20th Consecutive Quarter of Record Net Income

    Second Quarter 2003 Highlights:

    --  Sales Increase 51% to $74.8 Million

    --  Gross Profit Increases 62% to $50.0 Million

    --  Net Income Increases 45% to $14.8 Million, or $0.50 Per
        Diluted Share

    --  Taro to launch ElixSure(TM) OTC products based on proprietary
        NonSpil(TM) delivery system

    Financial Highlights ($000)
                      3 Months Ended    %       6 Months Ended    %
                         June 30,     Change       June 30,     Change
                     -------------------------------------------------
                        2003    2002             2003    2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales                $74,753 $49,583    51%   $143,721 $94,123    53%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross Profit         $50,007 $30,808    62%    $94,387 $59,649    58%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Income
 Before R&D          $27,604 $18,161    52%    $54,443 $35,257    54%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Income     $18,010 $11,914    51%    $36,126 $23,659    53%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income           $14,818 $10,192    45%    $28,807 $20,067    44%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted EPS            $0.50 $0.35 $0.97 $0.68
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq/NMS:TARO) today reported record sales and earnings for the Company's second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2003.

Second Quarter 2003 Results

The second quarter of 2003 represents Taro's 30th consecutive quarter of record sales and 20th consecutive quarter of record net income.

Taro's second quarter sales increased 51% to $74.8 million, compared with $49.6 million in the second quarter of 2002. Gross profit for the quarter increased 62% to $50.0 million, or 67% of sales, compared with $30.8 million, or 62% of sales, for the second quarter of 2002.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter were $22.4 million, or 30% of sales, compared with $12.6 million, or 26% of sales, in the year-ago quarter. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales primarily reflects costs associated with the Company's newly established proprietary product divisions, TaroPharma and Taro Consumer Healthcare Products.

Operating income before R&D expenses increased 52% to $27.6 million, or 37% of sales, compared with $18.2 million, or 37% of sales, for the second quarter of 2002. R&D expenses were $9.6 million, or 13% of sales, compared with $6.2 million, or 13% of sales, for the year-ago quarter. Operating income increased 51% to $18.0 million, or 24% of sales, compared with $11.9 million, or 24% of sales, in the second quarter of 2002.

Net income for the quarter increased 45% to $14.8 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, compared with $10.2 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, for the year-ago quarter.

"The Company has continued to produce excellent results in the second quarter," stated Barrie Levitt, M.D., Chairman of the Company, "while investing in our two new divisions for proprietary products: TaroPharma, the Company's platform for direct-to-physician marketing of proprietary products, and Taro Consumer Healthcare Products, our division for marketing proprietary over-the-counter products."

First Half 2003 Results

Taro's sales for the first half of 2003 increased 53% to $143.7 million, compared with $94.1 million for the same period in 2002. The Company's gross profit in the six-month period increased 58% to $94.4 million, or 66% of sales, compared with $59.6 million, or 63% of sales, for the same period in 2002.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the period were $39.9 million, or 28% of sales, compared with $24.4 million, or 26% of sales, for the year-ago period.

Operating income before R&D expenses increased 54% to $54.4 million, or 38% of sales, compared with $35.3 million, or 37% of sales, for the first half of 2002. R&D expenses were $18.3 million, or 13% of sales, compared with $11.6 million, or 12% of sales, for the year-ago period. Operating income increased 53% to $36.1 million, or 25% of sales, compared with $23.7 million, or 25% of sales, for the same period of 2002.

Net income increased 44% to $28.8 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, compared with $20.1 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, for the year-ago period.

Strong Financial Position

At June 30, 2003, Taro's total assets were $498.1 million, an increase of $118.3 million, compared with $379.8 million at December 31, 2002.

Taro's financial condition was strengthened in June 2003 by the Company's completion of a $60 million debt offering. Taro plans to utilize the proceeds from the debt offering for capital investments, potential acquisitions and general corporate purposes.

Total liabilities were $191.8 million, an increase of $82.3 million, compared with $109.5 million at the end of 2002. The increase of $82.3 million in total liabilities includes the $60 million debt offering.

Shareholders' equity at June 30, 2003 was $304.9 million, an increase of $35.8 million, compared with $269.1 million at the end of 2002.

Ammonium Lactate Cream Approved

In April, Taro's U.S. affiliate received approval of its Abbreviated New Drug Application ("ANDA") for ammonium lactate cream, 12% from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"). The product is bioequivalent to Bristol-Myers Squibb's Lac-Hydrin(R) cream. Ammonium lactate cream is a prescription product used for the treatment of dry, scaly skin (xerosis) and ichthyosis vulgaris and for temporary relief of itching associated with these conditions. According to industry sources, U.S. sales of ammonium lactate cream products were approximately $34.5 million in 2002.

ElixSure(TM) Launch

In June 2003, Taro announced plans for the launch of a line of over-the-counter ("OTC") cough and cold products based on the Company's patented NonSpil(TM) liquid drug delivery system. Three single-symptom products will be marketed under Taro's ElixSure(TM) brand name. The ElixSure(TM) medications, for fever/pain, cough and congestion, will utilize the Company's unique spill-resistant delivery system, which pours like a liquid but resists spilling. These spill-resistant pediatric formulations are designed to provide parents with increased accuracy and ease of dosing. Taro is developing additional products using the NonSpil(TM) delivery system.

"Giving liquid medicines to children can be frustrating for parents, doctors and children at a time when the emphasis should be on comforting a sick child," said Dr. Levitt. "An unpleasant struggle often develops, which can result in spills, stains and inaccurate dosages of medicine. ElixSure's spill-resistant formulations may go a long way towards solving this problem. Of course, the success of the launch will depend upon consumer acceptance of this new delivery system," said Dr. Levitt.

The ElixSure(TM) product line will be launched by the Taro Consumer Healthcare Products division ("TCHP"). Earlier this year TCHP launched Kerasal(R), a unique, exfoliating moisturizer for the feet.

U.S. FDA Filings

Currently, Taro has 32 filings at the FDA. These consist of 29 ANDAs, including a tentative approval for Loratadine syrup, plus 2 unique supplemental ANDAs and one New Drug Application related to Taro's NonSpil(TM) liquid drug delivery system. The ANDAs address U.S. markets with annual sales in excess of $1 billion.

Outlook

"We are continuing to invest in the expansion and diversification of Taro's manufacturing, marketing and research operations. These investments are building the infrastructure that we believe is required to support the Company's growth," said Dr. Levitt.

Conference Call

The Company will conduct a conference call to discuss second quarter and six month results on Thursday, July 24, 2003 at 11 a.m. Eastern Time (8 a.m. Pacific Time). The call will be available live via the Internet by accessing www.taro.com. An online replay will be available through July 31, 2003 on www.taro.com. A telephone replay will also be available through July 31, 2003 by dialing 1-800-428-6051 (domestic U.S.) or +973-709-2089 (international) and entering the passcode 300842 when prompted.

Taro is a multinational, science-based pharmaceutical company dedicated to meeting the needs of its customers through the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of the highest quality healthcare products.

For further information on Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., please visit the Company's website at www.taro.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements that are not describing historical facts, and comments concerning uses of the proceeds of Taro's June 2003 debt offering, marketing of generic products such as Taro's ammonium lactate cream, 12%, marketing of proprietary products including Kerasal(R) and ElixSure(TM) products, the potential benefits of ElixSure(TM) products, initiatives undertaken by the TaroPharma and Taro Consumer Healthcare Products divisions, Taro's filings with the FDA, the expansion and diversification of Taro's operations and the Company's growth. Although Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements to be based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurances that its expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include general economic conditions, industry and market conditions, slower than anticipated penetration of new markets, changes in the Company's financial position, regulatory actions and legislative actions in the countries in which Taro operates, future demand and market size for products under development, marketplace acceptance of new or existing products, either generic or proprietary, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including its 2002 Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 TARO PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES LTD.
                 SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                      (US dollars in thousands)

                                                      JUNE   DECEMBER
                                                       30,      31,
                                                      2003     2002
                                                    ------------------

Assets

Current Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents                           $152,780 $130,717
Restricted Short-Term Bank Deposits                    2,516    2,468
Accounts Receivable - Trade                           81,629   69,038
Accounts Receivable - Other and Prepaid Expenses      10,926   12,453
Inventories                                           61,628   42,439
Total Current Assets                                 309,479  257,115

Long Term Investments                                  3,244    1,348
Property, Plant and Equipment, net                   140,290   93,358
Deferred Taxes and Other Assets                       45,105   28,024
TOTAL ASSETS                                        $498,118 $379,845

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Current Liabilities:
Short-Term Bank Credits                               $2,301 $2,310
Current Maturities of Long-Term Liabilities           20,916    7,962
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses                 52,759   47,972
Total Current Liabilities                             75,976   58,244

Long -Term Liabilities                               111,332   47,127
Deferred Taxes and Other Liabilities                   4,483    4,178
Total Liabilities                                    191,791  109,549
Minority Interest                                      1,403    1,159
Shareholders'
 Equity                                              304,924  269,137
--------------------------------------------------- -----------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY          $498,118 $379,845 
 TARO PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES LTD.
              SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
           (US dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                                 Quarter Ended       Six Months Ended
                                    June 30,              June 30
                                2003       2002       2003       2002
                          --------------------------------------------

SALES                        $74,753 $49,583 $143,721 $94,123
Cost of Sales                 24,746     18,775     49,334     34,474
Gross Profit                  50,007     30,808     94,387     59,649
Operating Expenses:
     Selling, General and
      Administrative          22,403     12,647     39,944     24,392
     Operating Income
      before Research and
     Development              27,604     18,161     54,443     35,257

     Research and
      Development              9,594      6,247     18,317     11,598
Operating Income              18,010     11,914     36,126     23,659
Financial and Other
 Expenses Net                    321        157        583         99
                              17,689     11,757     35,543     23,560
Taxes on Income                2,757      1,542      6,492      3,414
                              14,932     10,215     29,051     20,146
Minority Share in Profits
 of Subsidiary                   114         23        244         79
NET INCOME                   $14,818 $10,192 $28,807 $20,067


Earnings per Ordinary
 Share                         $0.51 $0.36 $1.00 $0.70
Diluted Earnings per
 Ordinary Share                $0.50 $0.35 $0.97 $0.68

Weighted Average Number of
 Shares:
BASIC                     28,861,534 28,641,497 28,826,449 28,631,252
DILUTED                   29,658,734 29,344,769 29,574,611 29,383,412

    CONTACT: Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Dan Saks, 914-345-9000 ext. 208
             Kevin Connelly, 914-345-9000 ext. 338

    SOURCE: Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. 
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