Nycomed reports increased Q1 earnings

Nycomed has posted a 38 per cent increase in pre-tax earnings to €294.4m in the first quarter of 2011. This figure was boosted by a one off-payment of €131.1m from its marketing partner Forest Laboratories following the US approval of COPD drug Daliresp (roflumilast).

Its revenues increased by 15 per cent in local currencies, it said, but did not reveal the amount.

The company emphasised progress in the three leading emerging regions, with Russia/CIS registering growth of 34.9 per cent to €139.5m; Latin America growing by almost 25 per cent to €106m; Asia Pacific/Middle East and Africa up by 72 per cent to €91.8m.

Nycomed chief executive Håkan Björklund said: "Continued strong expansion in these younger markets, which we believe will be an engine for growth in our industry, helped to offset declines in Western Europe and the US, with Russia/CIS now our second-largest region after Europe, and Asia Pacific, Middle East overtaking North America in overall sales."

He added: "We believe the anticipated acquisition of Nycomed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, announced last week, will bring together Takeda's track record of innovation and Nycomed's efficient commercialisation and manufacturing infrastructure to create a global player able to meet the needs of patients and healthcare providers around the world."