Roche sales ‘hot record high’

Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche has announced that it has achieved a new record for sales over the last nine months.

The firm states that its sales increased by 17 per cent to 30.3 billion (12.82 billion pounds), a greater level of growth than during the first half of 2006.

According to Roche, the company is now ranked sixth among the leading drug makers worldwide with its pharmaceutical sales increasing by 21 per cent and its cancer medicines demonstrating growth of 41 per cent.

Commenting on the firms results, Franz B Humer, chairman and chief executive of Roche, says: “Our oncology medicines and Tamiflu remain the major growth drivers in the pharmaceuticals division.

“In diagnostics, diabetes care is back on growth track, with all other divisional business areas also contributing to increased sales.”

Roche states that it aims to achieve further “above-market” growth, anticipating “double-digit” sales growth in its pharmaceuticals division.

The company recently announced its plans to further develop its facilities at Basel to accommodate 2,400 workers. To date, Roche has created 1,000 new jobs in the area.