U.K. pharmaceutical firm Amersham plc enjoyed healthy growth in both revenues and net income for the first half of 2001 (end-June 30), the Buckinghamshire company reported this week. Amersham said that prospects in its imaging unit look particularly rosy.
For the period, Amersham posted revenues of $1.109 billion, compared with sales of $925.5 million in the first half of 2000. This represents growth of 13% at constant exchange rates and 20% at actual exchange rates. Pretax profits were $195.2 million, compared with $157.5 million in the same period the year before.
In the company's Nycomed Amersham Imaging division, first-half sales were $648.5 million, compared with $528.1 million in the first half of 2000. The division's operating profit was $178.9 million, compared with $132.2 million the year before.
Growing procedure volume worldwide is creating rising demand for imaging products, the company said. The company enjoyed double-digit sales growth in all regions but Japan, where revenues were flat.
X-ray contrast sales were $223.8 million, up 15%; MRI sales were $58.1 million, up 25%; and radiopharmaceutical sales were $167.1 million, up 17%. The company's Myoview nuclear cardiology agent was a bright spot, with sales growing 30% to $73.7 million.
On the R&D side, Amersham's imaging business has launched NeoSpect, a lung cancer imaging radiopharmaceutical, and EchoSeed, a brachytherapy product. The Food and Drug Administration has responded positively to new indications for Myoview -- for pharmacological stress and a 24-hour formulation. Final approvals are expected by the end of this year.
On the cardiac side, the company said that initial data look promising for the use of its MRI contrast agent, Omniscan, in MRI assessment of cardiac angiography. Meanwhile, the company's Sonazoid ultrasound contrast agent has completed phase IIa trials for myocardial perfusion.
Finally, Amersham is developing a new product, called Helispin, for the structural and functional imaging of respiratory disease, with an initial focus on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The product is based on Amersham's proprietary Spin Signal technology, and is moving into phase II studies.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
August 8, 2001
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Carretta appointed vice president at Nycomed Amersham, August 7, 2001
Nycomed Amersham expands ultrasound efforts as Mallinckrodt exits sector, August 6, 2001
Sager tapped as chairman of MICAA, July 27, 2001
FDA approves Nycomed Amersham's EchoSeed, June 4, 2001
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