Fresenius Group, a health care group with international operations, providing products and services for dialysis, hospital and outpatient medical care, has posted strong growth of 27.9 per cent in net profit during the first nine months ended September 2007 to Euro 298 million from Euro 233 million in the similar period of last year. The group's sales increased by 7 per cent to Euro 8,390 million from Euro 7,843 million. EBDIT margins improved to 17.7 per cent from 17.2 per cent. Earning per share were Euro 1.92, representing an increase of 26 per cent.

In North America sales grew by 14 per cent to Euro 3,741 million from Euro 3,556 million due to the Renal Care Group consolidation and in Europe sales increased by 7 per cent to Euro 3,528 million from Euro 3,297 million.

The group spent Euro 485 million for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. Acquisitions were Euro 242 million. The operating ash flow increased by 55 per cent to Euro 912 as against Euro 588 million, driven by the strong earnings increase. The group's total asses increased by 4 per cent in to Euro 15,054 million from Euro 15,024 million. As at the end of September 2007, Fresenius increased the number of its employees by 5 per cent to 1.10 lakh.

All the divisions of the group improved working during the first nine months of 2007. Fresenius Biotech is engaged in developing innovative therapies with trifunctional antibodies for the treatment of cancer as well as cell therapies for the treatment of the immune system. It has successfully marketed ATG-Fresenius S for many years. The company is in discussions with potential partners for marketing of removab, for patients with malignant ascites, in USA and Japan.

Fresenius Medial Care achieved strong sales growth of 16 per cent to US$ 7151 million in the first nine months of 2007.Its EBIT rose by 19 per cent to US$ 1,152 million. Fresenius Kabi offers infusion therapies and clinical nutrition, posted sales of Euro 1,494 million during the first nine months of 2007 and earned a net profit of Euro 132 million. Fresenius ProServe, a leading German hospital operator with 58 facilities, recorded sales of Euro 1,601 million.

Based on he Group's working during first nine months, Fresenius now expects net income to increase by more than 25 per cent and net sales by 9-10 per cent in 2007.