Aventis Pharma, a leading MNC in India, has recorded lower net profit of Rs 42.4 crore during the second quarter ended June 2010 as against Rs 47.10 crore in the corresponding period of last year. Its net sales, however, increased by 8.6 per cent to Rs 271.50 crore from Rs 249.90 crore. Its domestic sales increased by 15.3 per cent to Rs 217.7 crore and its export sales declined by 12 per cent to Rs 53.80 crore from Rs 61.10 crore. The earnings per share worked out to Rs 18.43 as compared to Rs 20.48 in the last period. The company expects better growth with planned expenditure in two critical projects viz., Prayas – a project to deliver high quality low cost healthcare to the rural population; and entering the Over The Counter (OTC) market.

For the first half ended June 2010, Aventis' net sales touched to Rs 522.90 crore from Rs 478.80 crore, a growth of 9.2 per cent. However, its net profit declined by 10.4 per cent to Rs 78.50 crore from s 87.60 crore.