Actelion reports growth in 2010 financial report

Actelion has published its report for the 2010 fiscal year, during which the company experienced strong year-on-year growth.

The pharmaceutical firm's total net revenues for the 12 months came to 1.93 billion Swiss francs (1.25 billion pounds), up by 13 percent on last year in local currency terms.

Drugs which saw improved sales during the year include Tracleer, Ventavis and Zavesca, while the company has also been able to successfully introduce its injection-based epoprostenol treatment Veletri.

The firm also expressed confidence in its forthcoming drug development pipeline, with phase III data on the pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment macitentan expected "in short order".

Dr Jean-Paul Clozel, chief executive officer for the company, said: "Actelion's financial performance in 2010 is impressive, given the challenging health care environment and the ever-strengthening Swiss franc."

Last month, the company announced the resignation of former board member Dr Elias Zerhouni, who has taken up the role of president for global research and development at Sanofi-aventis.