Actelion highlights strong performance in 2012

Actelion has published its financial statement for the 2012 full-year period, which was characterised by an encouraging performance in challenging business conditions.

The pharmaceutical company's product sales for the 12 months came to 1.72 billion Swiss francs (1.2 billion pounds), up by one percent year on year, with solid Tracleer sales recorded despite negative market trends.

During the year, Actelion was able to make efforts to prepare for the planned 2013 launch of its new heart and lung therapy Opsumit, having reported positive clinical trial data and filed for regulatory approval of the drug.

The firm also provided significant returns to shareholders by continuing its share buyback programme and is now proposing a 25 percent dividend increase.

Additionally, it is making progress with a series of cost-saving initiatives that will help it fully capitalise on the growth opportunities in its core pulmonary arterial hypertension focus area.

Dr Jean-Paul Clozel, chief executive officer of Actelion, said: "With organisational discipline and a strong commitment to quality, our clear objective ahead is to translate … innovation into benefits for patients and long-term value for shareholders."