Bayer HealthCare sees rising sales in Q1 2012

Bayer HealthCare has posted year-on-year gains in terms of quarterly sales during the first three months of 2012.

Parent company Bayer has published its Q1 2012 financial report, revealing that its healthcare subgroup generated sales of 4.34 billion euros (3.53 billion pounds), up by 4.2 percent on an annual basis.

Both its pharmaceuticals and consumer health divisions contributed to this growth, with business developing particularly well in emerging markets, while several new product launches also helped to drive success.

The company's healthcare revenues contributed to an overall sales total of 10.06 billion euros, a new quarterly record, allowing Bayer to confirm its guidance for the 2012 full-year period.

Bayer's management board chairman Dr Marijn Dekkers said: "In view of the good start to 2012, we are increasingly confident for the rest of the year."

Earlier this month, the company announced the expansion of its partnership with Amgen, which will allow it to develop new cancer therapies.