Cephalon sees record-breaking second quarter

Cephalon has hailed its financial performance in the second quarter of 2010 after achieving its best-ever sales and earnings figures during the period.

The pharmaceutical company recorded sales of $712.4 million (457 million pounds) during the quarter, a 32 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period of 2009, while earnings per share rose by 41 per cent.

Cephalon’s oncology franchise saw the most pronounced improvement in performance, with sales increasing by 58 per cent year-on-year, while its central nervous system and pain divisions also saw growth.

This follows on from the firm’s record-breaking start to the year, with its first quarter sales of $577 million also exceeding initial predictions.

As a result of this, the company has now updated its guidance for the full year and expects its total annual sales to fall between $2.6 billion and $2.7 billion.

Dr Frank Baldino Jr, chairman and chief executive officer of Cephalon, said: “This was a momentous quarter as we significantly expanded our global capabilities with the addition of Mepha ? and advanced the most promising pipeline in our history.”