Ranbaxy has maintained an upward momentum on a quarter-to-quarter basis during 2006. And its consolidated net profit for the year ended December 2006 went up by 97 per cent to Rs 520 crore from Rs 264 crore in the previous year. The company's consolidated sales reached at Rs 6,070 crore from Rs 5,188 crore, a significant growth of 17 per cent. Earnings per share on a fully diluted basis touched to Rs 12.92 as against Rs 7.01 in the lat year.

The sales growth was driven by North America and the BRICS markets which together accounted for 65 per cent of total sales as against 61 per cent in the corresponding period. These markets had combine sales of USD 869 million, recording an increase of 25 per cent. The international business recorded sales of USD 1,060 million, up 18 per cent and contributed 79 per cent to total sales. US sales increased by 15 per cent to $ 380 million with 10 new products being launched during the year. Simvastatin 80 mg was the key contributor to sales capturing over 50 per cent market share during the 180-day exclusivity period.

The company's sales in India recorded a strong performance in the year with sales increased by 19 per cent to Rs 1158 crore. Restructuring of domestic operations in line with customer groups and investment in high growth segments supported by new products sourced from in-house development, supply partners and in-licensing opportunities, fueled the growth in 2006.

The contribution of the chronic therapy portfolio to total sales worked out to 21 per cent against 20 per cent over the last period. The company remains the largest NDDS marketing company with 8 per cent market share with the NDDS segment in this year.

Commenting on the continuing positive performance of the company, Malvinder Singh, CEO and managing director, said, "We have had an extremely good year with robust sales across markets of US, BRICS, Africa, Latin America, Middle East and the Asia Pacific. Revenues from expanded market reach, new product flow, and acquisitions have kicked in. At the same time, our focus on streamlining costs and underlying organizational structures is leading to greater efficiencies, very much in tune with the dynamics of a fast changing global market place. I believe, Ranbaxy is well positioned to gain from the opportunities emerging in the global generics space."

Ranbaxy maintained its product filing momentum, filing 27 ANDAs for the year and receiving 10 approvals taking the cumulative ANDA filings to 197 with 76 pending approvals with the US FDA. Its total filings in the European Union reached at 27. It has received 16 approvals in 6 reference member states, taking the total number of approvals to 24 during the year. It filed 127 fresh patent applications.

The company has received approval to commence phase I clinical studies in India on its NCE molecule, RBx10558, a potential candidate for dyslipidemia. It is planning to out license this compound to a potential partner. RBX 11160, the company's anti-malaria molecule, is currently undergoing phase II-B clinical trials.