Ranbaxy Laboratories, a subsidiary of Daiichi Sankyo Co of Japan, has posted strong bottom line during the first quarter ended March 2010 on account of significant growth in sales with launch of new products in USA, gains in foreign exchange operations and jump in other operating income including milestone payments and patent exclusivity settlements. The company earned a consolidated net profit of Rs 960.58 crore during the first quarter of 2010 as against a net loss of Rs 767.33 crore in the corresponding period of last year. The earnings per share worked out to Rs 22.84 as compared to negative Rs 18.25 in the last period.

Its consolidated net sales went up sharply by 59.9 per cent to Rs 2,487 crore from Rs 1,555 crore. The company launched Valacyclovir, an First-to-File (FTF) product in last quarter of 2009 and has achieved a market share of over 60 per cent in US market. It also launched an authorised generic of Oxycodone ER tablets in Q1 of 2010. Its sales in emerging markets were US$ 212 million, a growth of 15 per cent, and contributed 39 per cent to sales. Developed markets recorded sales of US$ 304 million, a growth of 145 per cent, primarily on account of FTF revenues in USA. Sales in North America improved by 222 per cent to Rs 1,211 crore. Its sales in Europe improved by 10 per cent to Rs 310 crore.

Atul Sobti, CEO and managing director, said, "Solid growth in key geographies, along with optimal delivery value from FTF opportunities in the USA, ensured that we achieved yet another quarter of strong operations performance. We also launched project Viraat, a comprehensive program aimed at India leadership, in January."

The company's domestic sales increased by 6 per cent to Rs 345 crore. Excluding a large government tender in Q1'09, the growth was 15 per cent. Sales in the consumer healthcare business were at Rs 43.6 crore, a growth of 50 per cent. Revital is now the sixth largest product in the Indian Pharmaceutical market.

The company's sales in CIS region recovered by 26 per cent to Rs 110 crore and that in Africa improved by 30 per cent to Rs 177 crore. The sales in Latin America also improved by 40 per cent to Rs 90 crore during the quarter under review.

Ranbaxy's other operating income, including export benefits and income arising out of milestone payments, and patent exclusivity settlements, went up to Rs 280.32 crore from Rs 22.30 crore in the similar period of last year. Further, its foreign exchange gains amounted to Rs 319.47 crore as against a loss of Rs 1130.60 crore in the last period. These items impacted its bottom line favourable during the first quarter of 2010. The R&D expenditure increased by 44.4 per cent to Rs 155.79 crore from Rs 107.90 crore.

Ranbaxy's standalone net sales increased by 105 per cent to Rs 1,649 crore from Rs 802 crore in the corresponding quarter of last year. It earned a standalone net profit of Rs 872 crore as against net loss of Rs 778 crore.