Bayer reported strong sales in the first half of 2012, rising by 8.4% to €20.23bn. EBITDA increased by 4.4% to €3.94bn.
Sales increased by 7.1% in HealthCare, which includes Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Health, to €8.97bn. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 14.4% to €1.89bn.
The German Group recorded sales of approximately €10.2bn in the second quarter, a new record, helped by positive exchange rates, said chairman Marijn Dekkers.
HealthCare had its best quarter of all time in sales terms, up 10% to €4.63bn). EBITDA fell 34.3% to €726m and included litigations in connection with the oral contraceptive Yasmin/YAZ.
Pharmaceuticals sales rose by 4.3% to €2.68bn in the second quarter. Growth was achieved mainly in North America and the emerging markets, especially China.
Seen alongside these increases were slight declines in Europe, particularly in Western Europe. Among the segment’s leading products, sales of the anticoagulant Xarelto increased following market launches in more countries and the broadening of indications. Revenues from the hormone-releasing intrauterine device Mirena increased by 26.7% as a result of higher volumes and a major order in the US. Business with the multiple sclerosis treatment Betaferon/Betaseron also developed positively, expanding by 10.2% due partly to one-time effects in the US. Sales of the cancer drug Nexavar moved ahead by 7.5%.
The results in the pharmaceuticals segment were not all positive as generic competition in Western Europe and North America led to a decline of 6.4% in the oral contraceptives YAZ/Yasmin/Yasminelle. By contrast, sales of this product line rose in Japan.
Sales of the erectile dysfunction treatment Levitra fell by 16.9%, declining particularly in the US.
For the full year 2012, Bayer is now anticipating a currency- and portfolio-adjusted sales increase of 4–5% (previously: 3%). This would result in Group sales of €39–40bn (previously: €37bn).
HealthCare’s top priority for 2012 is successfully to commercialise the new pharmaceutical products, the firm said.