Ipsen shares up 4% on strong reported sales

Ipsen has reported strong sales figures for the first quarter of 2009, powered by emerging markets and specialist care. Shares in the firm rose  4% to 28.92 euros on the day of the news, April 28.

The French drugmaker generated 251.8 million euros ($330.6 million) in  revenue, up 6% on the same period of the year before. This comprised:  major western European countries, rising 3% to 138.7 million euros; the  rest of Europe, plummeting 16% to 50.8 million euros; North America,  rocketing to 7.8 million euros, versus just 1.1 million euros; and 54.5  million euros from the rest of the world, up 27%.

Total drug sales were up 7% to 242.8 million euros. Specialist care  turnover shot up 8% to 143.8 million euros, while primary care revenue  rose 5% to 98.9 euros.