Eli Lilly Q1 sales top $3.7bn

Eli Lilly has said that a commitment to sales growth has led to the company recording a first quarter sales figure of $3.715 billion.

The company said in its first quarter results announcement that the total was an increase of six per cent, figures driven by the outstanding sales growth of Cymbalta, which sold 118 per cent more than in the first quarter of 2005.

“Our strong bottom-line results in the first quarter reflect the execution on our commitment to grow sales at a faster rate than our expenses,” said Sidney Taurel, Lilly chairman and chief executive officer.

“We also have been productive in advancing our pipeline, with one launch, one submission, three important data releases and the start of two potential registration trials. Our next submission to the FDA should occur by summer and is for the expanded use of Cymbalta in treating generalised anxiety disorder.”

Sales of Cymbalta reached $233.3 million, with Forteo also impressing. Sales of the latter reached 127.1 million for the first quarter of 2006, a 90 per cent increase on the same three-month period from the previous year.

Despite figures totalling $1.007 billion, Zyprexa sales actually fell, a three per cent decline over the value of sales from 2005.

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