Cipla Ltd, a second largest pharma entity in India, posted strong financial performance during the second quarter ended September 2006 and its net profit went up sharply by 47 per cent to Rs 180.28 crore from Rs 122.60 crore in the corresponding period of last year. The company clocked net sales of Rs 896.11 crore as against Rs 672.20 crore in the last period, registering a growth of 33.3 per cent. It earning per share on increased equity capital moved up t s 2.32 as compared to Rs 1.64.

Its equity capital increased to Rs 155.46 core from Rs 59.97 crore on account of allotment of equity shares underlying GDRs and bonus shares. Cipla has setup export oriented unit at Patalganga and commercial production has already started from August 2006.

For the first half ended September 2006, Cipla's net profit saw a growth of almost 50 per cent to Rs 350.71 crore from Rs Rs 234.crore. Its net sales of first half reached at Rs 1760 crore as against Rs 1335 crore, recording a growth of 31.8 per cent. This is despite significant rise in the manufacturing and employees cost. Its staff cost increased by 36.8 per cent to Rs 95.16 crore from Rs 69.56 crore.