JB Chemicals Ltd, a Rs 300-crore plus pharma entity, has posted better performance during the first quarter ended June 2004. Its net profit moved up by 11.1 per cent to Rs 10.27 crore from Rs 9.25 crore in the corresponding period of last year. With the improvement in net profits, the earning per share also improved to R 6.40 from Rs 5.76.

The company's net sales also increased by 19.9 per cent to Rs 70.98 crore from Rs 59.19 crore during the quarter ended June 2003. The other income touched to Rs 3.03 crore from Rs 2.47 crore. The consumption of raw material amounted to Rs 35.43 crore as against Rs 24.89 crore.

The company has forayed into the fastest growing segment of anti-diabetics by launching a slew of new products such as Daoryl 1 & 2 mc, Daomet-SR 500 and 1000 mg and Daoryl-M 1 & 2 mg. It is planning to launch a new division to focus on CNS and Respiratory segments. The company has sharpened its focus on R&D and same will continue to commit significant funds to further strengthen its R&D capabilities to successfully counter the challenges posed by the product patent regime - post 2005 and also tap the large generic opportunity globally.