Actelion announces interim results

Actelion has announced its financial results for the first nine months of 2007, with the generating revenues of 946.4 million Swiss francs (395.3 million pounds) during the period, a rise of 38 per cent over the same period last year.

Net profits in the first three quarters of the year fell 79 per cent to 36.1 million Swiss francs, with the firm experiencing increased operating expenses including a one-off non-cash charge incurred in the first quarter in the acquisition of CoTherix.

Sales of Tracleer (bosentan) rose 30 per cent over the same period last year, rising to 846.5 million Swiss francs, while sales for the third quarter were down four per cent as a result of variations in buyer patterns.

Jean-Paul Clozel, chief executive officer of the company, said: “Actelion continues to grow both product revenues and pipeline.

“In view of the recent market introduction of an additional PAH [pulmonary arterial hypertension] treatment option in the United States, I am pleased to observe that PAH physicians continue to view Tracleer as the best documented and best supported endothelin receptor antagonist.”

He added that the firm remained confident that Tracleer will continue to be recommended by physicians, with revenues to grow as a result of this continued preference combined with the label expansion of the compound.

Last month, Actelion announced the results of a phase IIIb clinical trial of Tracleer, with the research highlighting the necessity of early diagnosis and treatment of PAH.