BMS sales up 14 per cent

Successful launches helped second-quarter sales for Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) sales increase 14 per cent according to the pharmaceutical firm's financial results.

US-based BMS had revenue of $5.43bn for the quarter, compared to $4.77bn for the same period in 2010. This increase in revenue was helped by the launch of skin cancer drug Yervoy (ipilimumab) and Nulojix (belatacept), an immunosupressant to be used following a kidney transplant.

The company also saw sales for Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) increase 15 per cent to $1.87bn to remain BMS' best-selling product. The drug, which is co-marketed by Sanofi, was granted an extra six months of marketing exclusivity by the US Food and Drug Adminisration (FDA) in January 2011.

In its financial guidance for the year, the company expects high single-digit revenue growth, as well as extra expense in marketing, sales and administration. Advertising expenses are expected to decrease.