Mochida profit growth steady in FY 2008

Japan-based mid-size drugmaker Mochida Pharmaceutical saw a 4% rise in profit during fiscal 2008, due to a small increase in sales.

The firm generated 75.18 billion yen ($774.4 million) in revenue, up 1%,  including generics sales of 1.5 billion yen. The company's net income  was 8.75 billion yen, versus 8.37 billion yen.

Epadel (ethyl icosapentate) turnover was down 1% to 36.6 billion yen,  while Atelec (cilnidipine) jumped 16% to 13.2 billion yen.  Recently-launched products Dinagest (genogest) for the treatment of  endometriosis and Beselna (imiquimod) for condyloma acuminatom,  generated 2.1 billion yen and 500.0 million yen, respectively.