Merck KGaA of Germany has announced a 12% rise in sales forfirst-quarter 2001 to 1.78 billion euros ($1.59 billion), while operating profits climbed 17.1% to 212 million euros. Net income, excluding exceptional items, increased 16% to 89 million euros.
The major driver of growth was the group's pharmaceutical division which rose 9.5% to 759.4 million euros, and prescription drugs increased 7.3% to 477 million. Once again, Merck's top earners were the diabetes treatments Glucophage (metformin), the extended-release form Glucophage XR and the combination drug Glucovance (glyburide and metformin), which is sold along with marketing partner Bristol-Myers Squibb. Global sales of the drugs rose 36% to 653 million euros, though Merck did not indicate what percentage of that total it receives.
Generic drugs sales rose "a very pleasing" 20% in the quarter to 204 million euros, with strong growth recorded in France, Australia, the USA and Canada. Merck's liquid crystals business also made a useful contribution to turnover, climbing 20% to 66 million euros.
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